As I ran, I could feel him gaining on me.

His footsteps echoed louder and louder behind me, each thump like a gunshot in the quiet night. I pushed my legs as hard as they would go, but Andrew was closing the gap between us with every step.

I could hear his breath, harsh and labored, as he lunged for me.I swerved suddenly, darting to the left, but his hand caught my shoulder and pulled me back.

I stumbled and fell to the ground, landing hard on my back. Andrew loomed over me, a sneer on his face.

He reached down and grabbed me by the collar, hauling me to my feet. He slammed me against the wall, his hand around my throat, cutting off my air.

"You really thought you could get away from me, didn't you?" he hissed, his face just inches from mine.I struggled to breath, gasping and choking as Andrew's grip around my throat tightened.

"You're not going anywhere," he said, his voice low and menacing. I clawed at his hand, trying to loosen his grip, but it was like trying to pry a vice open with my bare hands.

He was much stronger than I was, and much more determined.My vision was starting to swim as the oxygen deprivation set in.

I could feel my strength ebbing away, my legs going weak beneath me. He seemed to sense my weakness, and a cruel smile spread across his face.

"You're tiring out," he said, his grip on my neck tightening even further.

I couldn't reply, couldn't make a sound. The world was tunneling, dark at the edges, the pain growing unbearable.

This was it, I thought dimly. This was how it was going to end.Mr. Miller's smile widened as he saw that I was struggling to stay conscious.

He leaned in close to my ear, his voice a low, taunting whisper."You're pathetic," he said, his breath hot against my skin. "You really thought you could out run me, didn't you? You thought you had a chance. But you never did. You never will."

I struggled to focus, to stay alert, but it was harder and harder to think through the pain and the lack of oxygen.

I could feel myself slipping, fading into the encroaching darkness.Mr. Miller pushed me against the wall once more, knocking the remaining air out of me.

He leaned in close, his face twisted with anger and triumph."Just give up," he hissed. "You're weak. You're powerless. You're nothing. Just give up and accept your fate."