Running

~TALLY~

I woke up with a start, my heart pounding in my chest. That dream again - the one where I was running through a dark, tangled forest, pursued by a faceless madman. His maniacal laughter echoed all around me as I desperately tried to escape, branches scratching at my skin as I fled deeper into the woods.

I shivered, pushing the disturbing images from my mind as I took in my familiar surroundings. My tiny studio apartment, the worn but comfortable mattress beneath me, the faint scent of lavender from the candle on my nightstand. This was reality, not some dark fantasy. I was safe here, away from the chaos of the city streets.

Glancing at the clock, I saw it was barely 6 AM. Too early to be up, but my restless mind refused to let me sleep any longer. Today was the day, though - the day I would be leaving this wretched house and city behind for good. After four long years, I was finally done with college, and the thought of escaping this suffocating place filled me with a giddy excitement.

With a smile, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and padded over to the kitchenette, putting on a pot of coffee. As I waited for it to brew, I gazed out the window at the first hints of dawn peeking over the horizon. This was the last time I'd be waking up in this tiny studio, the last time I'd have to face the bustling streets and crowds that had always made me feel so out of place.

This was my chance to start anew, to forge a path that was truly my own. No more feeling trapped, no more haunting nightmares. Today marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of something better, something brighter.

I was moving to Woodstock in Chicago.

Today was the day, the day I would be leaving this wretched house and city behind for good. After four long years, I was finally done with college, and the thought of escaping this suffocating place filled me with a giddy excitement. I was headed back to Woodstock, Chicago to take over my father's business as the next CEO. Nothing was going to stop me from achieving that goal.

With a smile, I got up and made my way to the bathroom, turning on the hot water for a much-needed shower. As the steam filled the small space, I let the warmth soothe my tense muscles, washing away the lingering unease from my nightmare. Once refreshed, I dried off and quickly dressed, pulling my hair back into a neat ponytail.

Back in the kitchen, I poured myself a strong cup of coffee and grabbed a slice of toast, eager to fuel up for the busy day ahead. I had a flight to catch later that afternoon, so I needed to make sure I had everything in order. Stepping into the living room, I began carefully packing up my most important belongings - my laptop, a few cherished books, and the framed photo of my parents that always sat on the mantel.

Each item I tucked away felt like a weight lifting off my shoulders. This was it, the start of a new chapter. No more feeling trapped in this stifling city, no more wondering if I'd ever find my true purpose. Woodstock was calling, and I was more than ready to answer. As the CEO of my father's company, I would have the power to shape my own destiny, to make the kind of impact I'd always dreamed of.

With a determined nod, I glanced around the now mostly bare apartment one last time. The familiar space no longer felt like home - it was simply a shell, a temporary resting place that had served its purpose. It was time to move on to bigger and better things.

With one final sweep of the apartment, I grabbed my suitcase and backpack and headed out the door, locking it behind me for the last time. As I stepped out onto the busy city streets, I paused for a moment, taking in a deep breath of the familiar - yet stifling - urban air.

"This is it," I murmured to myself, a grin spreading across my face. "No more of this place."

I quickly hailed a taxi, loading my bags into the trunk before sliding into the backseat.

"Where to?" the driver asked gruffly.

"O'Hare Airport, please," I replied, my leg bouncing eagerly as we pulled out into traffic. The drive would normally have filled me with dread, navigating the congested streets and dealing with aggressive drivers. But today, I couldn't wait to leave it all behind.

"Big trip?" the driver asked, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.

"You could say that," I said with a chuckle. "I'm finally getting out of this city for good. Heading back home to take over the family business."

The driver let out a low whistle. "Impressive. You must be one driven young lady."

"That's the plan," I said confidently. Nothing was going to stop me from achieving my goals.

As we approached the airport, the familiar terminals came into view and I felt a renewed surge of excitement. This was it - the beginning of my new life. No more cramped apartments or suffocating crowds. Just wide open spaces and the chance to make my mark on the world.

After paying the driver and retrieving my bags, I headed inside, navigating the bustling check-in area with ease. As I approached the counter, the airline employee greeted me with a warm smile.

"Good afternoon, ma'am. How can I assist you today?"

"I have a flight to Woodstock, Chicago," I replied. "Tally West."

She quickly tapped away at her computer, printing out my boarding pass. "Ah, yes, here you are. Your flight is scheduled to depart in about an hour. Would you like to check any bags today?"

"No, just this carry-on," I said, patting my suitcase. "I'm ready to go."

"Excellent. You're all set then. Have a wonderful flight, Ms. West."

"Thank you," I said, flashing her a grateful smile before making my way through security. The familiar routine of removing my shoes and jacket, emptying my pockets, and walking through the metal detector was comforting in its familiarity. Once on the other side, I quickly re-assembled myself and headed towards my gate, eager to board the plane that would take me home.

As I settled into my seat, the nerves I'd been suppressing finally bubbled to the surface. This was it - no more putting it off. I was about to take the reins of my father's company and chart a new course for my future. The weight of that responsibility was both exhilarating and terrifying.

But as the plane took off, leaving the city skyline behind, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. I was ready for this. I was ready to embrace the challenges that lay ahead and prove that I had what it took to be a successful CEO.

This was my chance to make my mark on the world. And I was more than ready to seize it.

As the plane steadily climbed into the sky, the initial excitement and nervous energy I had felt quickly began to fade. Glancing out the window, I watched as the bustling city streets and towering skyscrapers shrank into the distance, replaced by a patchwork of farmland and forests below.

The realization that I was in for a nearly seven-hour flight suddenly hit me, and I felt my stomach twist with dread. I should have thought to download some movies or podcasts to help pass the time, but in my haste to leave, I had completely forgotten. Now I was stuck staring at the clouds, trying to aimlessly scroll through the limited in-flight entertainment options.

With a heavy sigh, I settled back into my seat, fidgeting uncomfortably as the minutes ticked by. The monotony was already starting to set in, and I silently berated myself for not being more prepared. This was supposed to be the start of an exciting new chapter, not another endless stretch of boredom.

Just as I was about to resign myself to an interminably long flight, I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. Glancing over, I found myself locking eyes with a young boy, no more than 8 or 9 years old, who was seated in the row beside me.

He stared at me curiously for a moment before breaking into a wide grin. "Hi! I'm Liam. Are you going on vacation too?"

Caught off guard by his sudden friendliness, I couldn't help but smile back. "No, not a vacation. I'm actually moving back home to Woodstock, Chicago to take over my family's business."

Liam's eyes went wide with fascination. "Whoa, you own a business? That's so cool! What kind of business is it?"

"It's a manufacturing company that makes all sorts of products - everything from car parts to kitchen appliances," I explained, my earlier boredom starting to melt away as I got swept up in Liam's infectious enthusiasm.

"That's awesome!" he exclaimed. "My dad works in a factory, but he just makes one thing over and over. I bet it's way more fun to make all different kinds of stuff."

I chuckled at his obvious excitement. "It can be pretty interesting, that's for sure. There's always new challenges and problems to solve."

"I love solving problems!" Liam declared. "My teacher says I'm really good at figuring things out. Maybe I could come work for you one day and help out!"

The idea of this bright-eyed kid someday being a part of my team brought an unexpected warmth to my chest. "Well, you never know," I said with a wink. "If you keep up that problem-solving skills, you might just have a future in manufacturing."

Liam beamed, bouncing excitedly in his seat. "That would be the coolest job ever! So what made you decide to take over your family's business? Aren't you worried it'll be too hard?"

I paused, considering his question carefully. "Well, to be honest, I was a little nervous at first. It's a big responsibility, and I want to make my dad proud. But I also know that this is what I'm meant to do. I've always felt drawn to business and problem-solving, so it just feels...right, you know?"

Liam nodded sagely. "My dad says it's important to do what feels right, even if it's scary sometimes. He says that's how you know you're on the right path."

"Your dad sounds like a pretty smart guy," I remarked, impressed by the boy's insightfulness.

"He is!" Liam agreed enthusiastically. "And he says that if you work really hard and never give up, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. So I know you're gonna be an awesome CEO!"

I felt a surge of confidence at his words, my earlier doubts and boredom melting away. "Thank you, Liam. That means a lot to hear. I'm going to do my very best to make this business thrive. And who knows - maybe one day I'll be hiring a brilliant young problem-solver like you!"

Liam's face lit up with delight, and for the rest of the flight, we chatted animatedly about his dreams of working in a factory, my plans for the company, and everything in between. His infectious energy and unwavering belief in my abilities had banished my boredom, replacing it with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for the journey ahead.

As the plane touched down in Woodstock, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the chance encounter with this remarkable young boy. Sometimes all it takes is a little unexpected inspiration to reignite the fire within.