They’re going to catch you, hurry.
Not unlike my recurring nightmare, I keep running despite knowing for sure that there’s no escape.
The farther I run, the more desperate I get, the oxygen supply to my brain diminishing, along with my ability to feel anything but fear.
My lungs burn.
I can't get enough air.
But I can't stop.
They're behind me.
Getting closer.
The flashlight beam suddenly illuminates the bushes to the side, and I dart in the opposite direction.
Behind me, I hear twigs snapping, leaves rustling. Or is it just the pounding of my own heart, thundering in my ears?
I dodge around a massive oak, nearly losing my footing. My hand scrapes rough bark as I push off, propelling myself forward.
I can’t see where I’m going, but I push at full speed.
A root catches my toe.
I stumble, arms windmilling.
For a heart-stopping moment, I'm sure I'll fall.
But I regain my balance, pushing myself to run faster.
They'll catch me if I fall.
I can't afford to fall.
Thorny vines tear at my legs as I go.
I ignore the pain, focusing only on the ground ahead, searching for obstacles in the dim light.
My breath comes in ragged gasps.
Spots dance at the edges of my vision.
How long have I been running?
I've lost all sense of time.
A twig snaps behind me, closer than before, definitely real.
Terror surges through me, lending new strength to my tired muscles.
But it’s not enough.
My heart nearly stops as the flashlight’s full glow falls on my body, blinding me.
The dark figure I’ve been running from suddenly looms before me, backlit and ominous. The Hunter.
I put my hands out, trying to fight them, but I can’t see anything. Not in the too-bright light.
