Novel & Cerita Running With Purpose

“I thought everyone in this town are all werewolves. I kind of had confidence that not everyone will attack humans. Before, I was afraid to think of werewolves. I thought they were going to attack every human in their way.” “No, they don’t. Like us, they have a purpose in doing those things.” I glanced at the book that he was reading. A self-help book about having a purpose in life. He’s only saying those because of what he read. “You mean they have a purpose in killing our parents. What kind of purpose is that?” “Bad and wrong purpose. You should keep that to yourself. You should have the right and correct purpose in your life and every decision that you make.”

Vitali and Tyson are ahead of me trying to outdo each other but I’m keeping a steady pace. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. There’s no prize for first place but I still save my energy for the final lap, unlike these two. Running isn’t just about staying fit; it’s about understanding and increasing our stamina; learning how to preserve our energy and when to tap into it. Every exercise we do has a purpose, but most don’t seem to get that.

“Those sound like excellent goals. I’m proud of you for taking initiative.” I bite my lip, hesitating. There’s something else I want, but I’m not sure Allison will approve. Still, I decide to push forward. “There’s…uh, one more thing I was thinking about.” She looks at me patiently. “What’s that?” I take a deep breath. “I want to start running again.” Before she can react, I rush ahead. “I know you think I should be doing things involving other people, anchoring myself in social situations, but running always helped ground me. Before, the only person I ever ran with was Cole, so none of my other friends do it, but that’s okay. Cole and I rarely ran together anyway—just started at the same pl

Be with you each day, each season of storm. Worship your body that protects the you within you. Do not share logic that transforms the inner you. It’s pain. How can you beat nature and say religion has a place? You all get married, share your children in life’s stairs. Do not forget nature when religion drives you insane on it. You establish purpose. Purpose is you. Purpose is for you. Your life should exist. This joy is for you, within you. A desire to live is within you. You cannot walk safe with knowledge from just outside.

I had stopped running because running had felt like managing, like burning off the pull energy that used to sit in my chest without direction, and I hadn't needed to run it off since I had understood what it was and what it was for. I ran anyway. The beach was empty and grey and the ocean was loud and cold, and I ran until I had used my legs for something purely physical, without purpose, without destination. It felt good. When I came back Karl was on the porch with two cups and he looked at my face and said: "Good run." "Yes," I said. "You haven't run since I've known you," he said. "I know." He handed me the cup. "What changed," he said.

I can just imagine the shock on their faces, right before the disgust and disdain would surely follow suit. The thought of what I was planning to end the night with, made me feel disgusted in myself for a fleeting moment— the feeling of disgust has been swimming through my veins since the moment I made up my mind to finally come here, this morning. I have a girlfriend for heaven’s sake, a beautiful one at that. Am I even entitled to use the word ‘heaven’ at the moment? Knowing that I was currently in a place where churches preach against and also vehemently warn their members to steer completely clear of.

I learned to sleep with one eye open and wake with purpose. There were moments when I thought of running—packing Avis in the car and disappearing somewhere no one knew the name Palmer. But running would teach her the men in our lives determined our fate. I would not give her that lesson. If staying meant fighting, I would fight until I had nothing left.

As I was running, I had only one intention. I needed to get the fuck out of here. Just as I was about to run into the bush, my head slammed against something. From the impact, my head hit the ground. I wanted to stand up but I couldn’t move. My eyes closed weakly and my body succumbed to a total darkness… ***

The sound of our breathing and the soft impact of our boots on the pavement were the only noises we allowed ourselves. As we ran, I forced myself to focus on the moment, on the simple mechanics of movement. One foot in front of the other. Eyes scanning for threats. Ears attuned to any sound out of place. The curse could burn all it wanted, I wouldn't break. Not here, not now. Not with them watching. But deep down, I knew time was running out. The mark was spreading, its influence creeping through my system like poison. Sooner or later, it would claim what was promised. The only question was how much damage I'd do when it finally took control.

She stopped speaking because Adrian had already left the room. Then she slumped back on the bed, gave an exasperated sigh, covered her hands with her face, and cried. Adrian knew how important the pack run was to werewolves, yet he was doing this to her, especially now that she was pregnant. A pack run was an extensive training for all wolves which helped them to defend themselves in the face of danger. But to a pregnant woman, it was different and compulsory. It helped them breathe well, it eased back pain, as well as constipation.