flagstaff | chapter four

Dakota runs, as fast as she possibly can. Her rucksack bouncing on her back as she goes, her polaroid in a bag around her neck hitting her chest continuously. But she doesn't care, she just needs to get away from Sam.

Needs to get away from this feeling.

She knows it's not love or anything, she's felt love before. She just feels like she needs to be close to him, like she needs to know everything about this boy. Dakota also knows that Sam felt it too. They're connected in some way.

It's like she knows him, but also needs to know everything about him. She feels as though she's known him forever, but they've only just met. 

"Damn this is so frustrating!" Dakota groans as she stops running and drops to her knees, clutching her her head in annoyance. She yells in frustration, ripping at her hair as if trying to pull it out. 

Soon enough, Dakota is crying. Everything from the past few days coming back at her in one big tidal wave. Her friends betrayal. Her boyfriend cheating. Snapping at Dallas. Running away from her family. Meeting Sam, then running from him too. 

Dakota feels her burning tears stream down her face as she bends her head down so her forehead is resting on her hands, which are resting on her bent knees. 

What is she supposed to do? She left home less than twenty-four hours ago, with no real plan, and now she's crying in the middle of a park in Flagstaff under a tree after meeting a boy she feels drawn to. 

She doesn't know why, but Dakota knows her life is about to change.

Whether it be for better or for worse though, she has no clue.

"Miss, are you all right?" A small voice comes from behind her and Dakota quickly sits up, wiping furiously at her eyes to erase any signs of crying.

She turns around and finds a young girl with brunette hair in two long braids, bright blue eyes staring at her worriedly.

"Yeah, I'm good." Dakota smiles. The girl giggles happily and it warms Dakota's heart.

"Good." She grins, dimples showing. "Mommy says it's bad when people are sad. I don't like it when someone is sad." The small girl bends down and picks a flower, it's a daisy, and she holds it out to Dakota. "Here you go. In case you get sad again."

Dakota smiles at the girl and takes the flower happily. 

"Thank you." She laughs, placing the daisy behind her ear. 

"Elisa! It's time to go home, where'd you go?" A woman's voice calls out, sounding slightly worried.

"Is that you, sweetie?" Dakota asks the small girl in front of her. The girl grins and nods, placing her index finger to her lips. "Shouldn't you be going? Your Mommy is going to worry?"

"No, Mommy knows I'm fine." Elisa giggles. "I want to stay with you, Dakota."

Dakota smiles at the girl, reaching out to take her hand. But then she freezes in realisation, confusion and shock.

She never told this girl her name.

Then all there is, is pain and darkness.