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It’s been a long morning, and I’m still not sure what happened with Amy or the dead Norwegian. I enter my apartment, ready for some Helmet Head to jump me, or for a call from the video-doc explaining that my Omega Pill subscription and my health insurance have been cancelled.
None of this happens. Instead I hit the shower and get cleaned up, and then I wait.
I wake up still sitting in my comfy chair. It’s dark outside, and I’m hungry.
Then my phone rings.
I hesitate but finally pick it up, and I hear Amy’s voice sounding strangely digitized on the other end.
“Hello?” she says. “Runner?”
“Hey.”
“What’re you doing tonight?” she asks.
“I…”
“Never mind,” she says. “Save it for later. I’ll pick you up outside your place in about an hour. Think you’re up for that?”
“Well…”
“Come on. Save it for when we see each other in person.”
She hangs up, and I just sit there. I wait for forty-five minutes before I get up and splash some cold water on my face and get ready to meet her.
I put some reproduction vintage running shoes on and head downstairs.
She glides silently up in a brand new two-door luxury sport as I slide into the passenger seat and look at her, waiting for her to explain what happened earlier. I take in the fact that she’s in date clothes, and I think about how amazing she looks even though the last time I saw her she had just killed the Norwegian without blinking an eye. She just stares back at me, not saying a word, so I start us off.
“I don’t get it,” I say. “Why did you help me?”
“Let’s just say I like running with you, and leave it at that.”
She reaches out her scarred hand as if to shake.
I think for a second about how much I can trust this girl. She already knows my real name, but she hasn’t turned me in yet. She makes me nervous though, and trust is a hard hand to deal someone twice in the same day. Still, I reach out, and we shake gently.
She looks relieved.
“My real name’s Jen, by the way,” she says with a grin, not letting go of my hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you…”
“Nice to meet you too,” I say. “You can just call me Runner.”
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AUTHOR’S NOTE
Word-of-mouth is crucial for any author to succeed. If you enjoyed Running Club, please leave a review. Even if it’s only a line or two, it would make all the difference and would be very much appreciated.
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Thank you for reading - Mike
ABOUT RUNNING CLUB
This short story came about when I was contemplating what it would be like if I weren’t allowed to run. This led me to thoughts about what in our society would have to change to cause a complete reversal in public opinion about running and exercise in general. Unfortunately, the answer I came up with that led to Running Club shouldn’t seem that far-fetched to anyone who has been frustrated with the controlling ways of today’s healthcare giants.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Running Club is dedicated to Stacey.
Special thanks to Kevin McMahon for his insight in helping to make the story better than it was.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike lives in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. with his dog, Rocky. Mike has been a fine arts painter, a freelance illustrator, and has co-owned two Internet security patents. He is an avid runner and active in his local running club. He does not sleep nearly enough.
Mike is also the author of:
- The Applicant (49-page short story prequel to Redemption)
- Redemption (484-page fantasy adventure novel)
- The Gate (45-page fantasy horror short story/novelette)
- Whittier (132-page horror suspense thriller)
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Running Club Page 8