LyaI run. It’s just who I am.

Whenever things get tough, I bail. Every new situation I find myself in, I have an exit strategy.

Because I know what could happen if I don’t. Things are about to get bad, and I don’t understand how or why.

I’m in a new place, with no pre-existing connections. I’ve developed a life for myself where no one could suspect a thing out of the ordinary.

I fit in - or at least try to. But here I am, ready to run.

Let’s just hope I do so in time. ***OliverI didn’t ask to be in these shoes.

In fact, I was thoroughly looking forward to a life of little more than personal responsibility. I never saw my future tied to this place, no matter how much it is a part of me.

The responsibility was thrust upon me, and with no one else left to step up, I had no choice. These are my people - my family - and this is my home.

I couldn’t turn my back, even if I wanted to. That’s a type of betrayal I would never be able to stomach.

Any semblance of my plans years ago have fallen by the wayside, but that’s just the nature of the beast - and I am the beast. Times are changing.

I can feel it in my bones. I just hope we are ready, and I am capable of protecting those that are relying on me.

. .