In a dense forest, the silence was disturbed by the sound of frantic footsteps pounding against the forest ground.
The undergrowth rustled violently as three figures sprinted through the trees, their breaths coming in ragged gasps.
Behind them, the beast charged. It was a massive, lumbering creature, with dark, matted fur that glistened with an oily sheen.
Its red eyes glowed menacingly, and its maw, filled with jagged, yellowed teeth, gaped wide as it roared, the sound reverberating through the forest.
Sharp, black claws tore through the ground, leaving deep gouges in the earth as it chased them, moving with a speed unnatural for its size.
A girl, her brown hair flying wildly behind her, glanced back, her face pale with terror.
"We won't make it!" she screamed, her voice cracking. "It's too fast!"
A young boy, barely older than her, groaned, clutching his side as he struggled to keep up. His eyes were wide with fear and regret.
