Day 48 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Write about where a runaway bride goes after she runs.

Erin: “Where did you go,” my therapist asked.

“To the ocean,” I eluded.

“Why,” she pushed.

“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “I guess because the ocean doesn’t have an end. The water doesn’t have any boundaries. I wanted to be able to flow like the water. So, I thought I’d join in the dance.”

“How did you feel when you were in the water,” she asked.

“Like the waves were going to pull my wedding dress off,” I sighed. “And excited at that idea.”

Shannon: After I distracted my bridesmaids I snagged the keys and went running out the back door until I reached my vehicle. Under the belief that no stranger had to know what I was up to, I immediately ripped off all the decorations the wedding party had already added to the car. Then I hopped into the driver’s seat and locked the doors, running on pure adrenaline at that point.

With a twist of the key the engine roared and I knew I was almost in the clear, but as I turned around to back out of the parking spot I caught sight of my maid of honor in the back doorway. I pushed on the gas a little harder, but she was already running after me. “What are you doing?” She yelled loud enough for me to hear her muffled voice through my closed windows.

“I can’t do it. I’m sorry,” I couldn’t even look at her or take the time to roll down the window, so I didn’t know if she heard. Then I started driving again without a clue of where I was going. I couldn’t go to our home. They’d find me eventually, and ultimately he’d find me too. I couldn’t go to any family or friends, because they were all at the wedding waiting for me to walk down the isle. It wouldn’t be the first time I disappointed them. I couldn’t go anywhere too public. There’d be so many questions and confusion with me in my big white dress. I should have brought a change of clothes. Deep down I knew I couldn’t handle this.

That’s how I ended up at the bridal store where I had bought the dress, the one place where it was normal and maybe, just maybe, they could offer me some advice. They pounced on me with compliments the second I walked though the door. “Is there something wrong with your dress,” one questioned.

I shook my head, “I ran,” I revealed without a second thought.

“We got another runner Linda. Get the Champagne. Let’s get you to the back and see if we can fix this. We only take you there in case any prospective clients come in. Runners are not great for business, but you’re going to be just fine honey,” she rubbed my back and led the way.

Where does your character run to, where is her safe place?