"Is he here? Where is he? Why isn't he here yet? Does he even know I'm here? Oh god, I shouldn't have done that!" A loud crash yanks me out of my frantic thoughts. My pace quickens, but my feet are killing me, my lungs burning from the lack of air. My legs feel like they're about to give up. How much longer can I keep running?
Another crash—closer this time. It's right behind me. I know I can't outrun him, but this is life or death. I can't let my small human body get caught. I feel the beast closing in, its presence heavy on my back. I need to do something—anything—to create some distance. But there's no time. The sun is setting. Soon, I'll be out of time. I have to get out of this forest... now.
Just as I prepare to turn right, a body slams into mine from the left. My body is hurled through the air, crashing painfully to the ground. "Ahhh!!" A scream rips from my throat. "Maya! Maya! Are you okay? Shit, I told you not to run!" That's the last thing I hear before darkness swallows me whole.