"Just keep moving, Andrea whispered to herself, her voice trembling. Her breaths came quick and shallow as she ran through the endless forest.
The storm roars above her, thunderclaps booming like a flash. The rain fell in heavy drops, soaking her to the bone and making it harder to keep her footing. But stopping wasn't an option. She took a look at the back of her and immediately wished she hadn't done it.
They're getting closer," she murmured to herself, panic gripping her chest.
Through the dense fog, she could make out the shadowy figures-three, maybe four men-gaining on her. Their steps were deep and loud, and their sounds-laughter-reached menacingly into the forest.
"Don't stop. Don't look back. She repeated the words like a mantra, her legs burning as she pushed herself harder.
The forest felt endless, a maze of trees that offered no cover. The howling wind masked the sound of the hunters' weapons, but Andrea knew they wouldn't miss forever.
"Do you think you can run from us, demon? A deep voice called out, mocking and cruel.
Andrea flinched at the word. Demon.
I'm not-" she began, but the sound went to a stop. Protesting was pointless.
Another voice, sharper and full of malice, chimed in. "Stop wasting your breath, girl. You're ours."
Andrea gripped her fists tightly, her heart thumping against her ribs. She disliked being so powerless, feeling how fear could overwhelm her.
Then came the whistle of an arrow slicing through the air above her head.
She threw herself to the side, landing hard in the mud as the arrow lodged itself in a tree trunk just inches from her head.
"Close, boys! She's slowing down! one of the men shouted, his voice full of triumph.
Andrea scrambled to her feet, her knees shaking. For a second the whole world tipped over, but she forced herself to get up and go. She couldn't stop now.
The men weren't giving up, their footsteps growing louder and closer. Another arrow flew past her, grazing her arm. She hissed in pain but didn't slow down.
"Keep shooting! She can't run forever!"
Andrea's lungs ached, her eyes watered from the rain and fatigue. Her mind raced. I need to find a way out. There has to be a way out.
But no escape presented itself.
"Why me?" she whispered, her voice breaking. "Why now?"
Just as a sharp thunderbolt illuminated the sky and showed what lay in front of us, a sheer drop.
Andrea's steps faltered. Skidded to a halt at the edge of the cliff, and her boots propelled a loose torrent of rocks down into the black hole at its base. A.
"No," she breathed, staring at the valley. The drop was massive, the bottom swallowed by shadows. She couldn't see a way across, no path, no bridge. Just an unforgiving void.
Her legs gave way, and she turned to face her chasers.
"They're here," she muttered, her voice trembling. "They're right here."
The guys slowed down as they got closer, their outlines now more defined. They were five armed with bows and arrows. Their leader stepped forward, grinning wickedly.
This is the end of the line, honey," he murmured with satisfaction through his voice.
Andrea's eyes darted to the cliff behind her, then back to the men. Her breath hitched. "Stay back," she warned, though her voice lacked conviction.
The chief drew back his bow and shot towards her heart. "Oh, I'll stay back. You've nowhere to go anyway."
The rest all laughed, their bows aimed at her too.
Andrea's chest tightened. She looked back over her shoulder at the pit, and her gut sunk at the idea of leaping. I can't. I'll die.
The leader sneered, stepping closer. "You know what I like about you vampires? You're all the same. You think you're invincible. However, as soon as we approach, the fright in your eyes? Priceless."
"I'm not afraid of you, Andrea snapped, though her trembling hands betrayed her.
"Sure you aren't. He nodded to one of his men. "Shoot her."
Andrea's eyes widened. "No-"
The arrow came fast, too fast to dodge. It hit her shoulder and she gasped, backing away over the edge of the cliff. Pain flared through her body, but it was nothing compared to the icy numbness spreading from the wound.
"Poison," she whispered, her voice shaking.
The leader grinned. "Goodnight, demon."
Andrea's vision became foggy, the room whirling as the drug progressed through her circulation. She bent over to regain her balance, but her legs went out and she hit the floor on her knees.
"No," she gasped, clawing at the ground. "Not like this."
The men approached, their laughter ringing in her ears. "You've got nowhere to go," one of them taunted.
Andrea's digits pressed into the earth as she reluctantly stood. Her legs shook, the field of view blur at the periphery, but she wouldn't stop.
"If you're going to kill me, she said, her voice hoarse but defiant, "you need to work for it.
The leader chuckled. "Oh, don't worry. We will."
Andrea made a stumbling backward step, her heel falling off the cliff edge. She wavered, her arms flailing for balance.
"Jump," she whispered to herself, her heart pounding. "Just jump."
But she couldn't do it.
The men raised their bows again, and Andrea knew she was out of time.
Another arrow flew, hitting her in the leg. She screamed, the pain unbearable. The poison spread faster now, her body growing weaker with every second.
"No! she cried as she fell backward, the world tilting around her.
What she saw before falling into the abyss of darkness was the ringleader's triumphant smile, his laughter ringing in her ears.
"We've won."
Andrea fell into the pit, stiff, and the wind whistled in her ears.
This is it, she thought, her vision fading. This is the end.
---
Andrea woke with a jump, her body drenched in sweat. Her hand flew to her shoulder, searching for the wound that wasn't there.
It was a dream," she murmured, her pulse still thrumming. "Just a dream."
But the fear lingered, gnawing at her like a shadow that wouldn't let go.
"Was it? she muttered, staring out her window at the storm still raging outside.
The voice of the wolf cried a long way, and Andrea felt chills all over their body. The dream felt too real, too vivid to dismiss.
But underneath, she just couldn't get over the conviction that it wasn't just a dream. It was a warning.