Page 15

Sitting upright, I scan my surroundings before bolting in the direction they came from, hoping they won’t backtrack.

Once hidden beneath the high trees, I keep running, searching for any sign of the barbed-wire fence surrounding the city.

Darkness thickens under the canopy, swallowing what little light remains. Even with my heightened senses, I can barely see.

I run blind, dodging trees at the last second—until I don’t.

Until my feet hit air.

The world vanishes beneath me, and then—icy water.

The surface shatters as I crash through the thin layer of ice, plunging into the freezing depths.

I flail, gasping. I don’t know how to swim.

Panic seizes me, locking my limbs, and I swallow mouthfuls of dirty water.

I cough. Splutter. Sink.

This is it; I’m going to die.

I reach around for anything, trying to move the water and keep my head above the water line. My hands come in contact with some sort of vine or tree growth, and I manage to pull myself out and drag my freezing cold body over the bank. My clothes are drenched, and the cold air of the night pierces my skin, making me even colder. I fight against the urge to give up and let myself die. My muscles scream, locking up from the intense temperature change, my teeth chattering so hard I wonder if they’re going to break.

I force my legs to move, willing myself to go faster. I don’t know how long I run for, and I nearly weep in relief when I see the fence line just on the other side of the trees; I am nearly there, so close I can almost smell my freedom.

Just as I think I am about to break through the tree line, I run full force into somebody, bouncing off their chest. I fall back on the ground and feel all breath leave my body. Moving backward on my hands and knees, I try to get away from the dark figure, who is now coming even closer to me. I see menacing, snake-like eyes staring down at me that seem to glow with an evil light, I scramble to get to my feet. Only when I stand and turn to run, I run into someone else. And this person’s glowing eyes make my blood run colder than the icy pond. My veins turn to ice as he peers down at me. Nothing only gold and green glowing orbs staring at me.

My heart pounds violently, drowning out all other sounds.

The man with those evil eyes grips my arms, his fingers burning into my skin before his claws pierce my flesh. A sharp sting—then warmth as blood trickles down my arm.

Air rushes past me, his grip vanishing—before I am hurled into a tree.

Pain explodes in my back as I slam into the trunk, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs. Another scream tears from my throat as I crash to the ground, a sharp stick stabbing straight through my palm.

I yank it out, the scent of my own blood filling my nose, warm liquid spilling down my hand and arm.

The crunch of twigs snaps me back to reality.

I lift my head—he’s coming for me again.

Like a predator closing in on its prey, his aura is menacing, thick with rage. It pulses in the air, suffocating me.

“You think you can leave me? That you can run?” His voice bellows, sending a shudder through me.

I scramble to my feet, he’s faster.

His fingers twist into my hair, yanking me back, my scalp burning as strands rip free.

I scream.

His hand wraps around my throat, and then—I’m airborne again.

The ground rushes up. My head hits first. A sickening crack.

Darkness tempts me, pulling at the edges of my vision.

My head pounds in its own painful rhythm, ears ringing so loud I can barely think. I can’t breathe.