The forest was a blur. Trees, glowing vines, and moss zipped past him while the thundering sound of paws—big, terrifying paws—pounded behind him. And fuck, was the thing massive.
It wasn't just "big dog" massive. No, this beast was elephant huge—jaws snapping with fangs the size of his damn arm, each step shaking the ground like it was the final boss in some fantasy RPG. Leaves trembled, whole trees quivered, and all Parker could think was:
'I'm gonna die in a fucking dream.'
Ahead of him, Ere was tearing through the forest like she was channeling Cheptegei himself, her sleek black form darting between trees so fast she looked like a damn ninja blur.
"Ere, WAIT!" Parker shouted, nearly eating dirt as his foot clipped a root.
"Run faster, master!"
"YOU'RE NOT HELPING!" Branches slapped him in the face. Vines brushed his legs.
Behind him, the beast roared, its hot breath practically singeing his back.
