Run

She was running towards the house as fast as her feet could carry her. The trees were so thick that they blocked the moonlight. Branches were tearing across her face and arms, stones jabbing into her bare feet.

She reached the edge and stopped, almost falling over with the sudden end of motion. Her lungs were burning, her heart struggling. Her eyes adjusted to the sudden moonlight and she desperately looked across the clearing for it.

A rustling from behind caused her already aching heart to jump, and she snapped her head around. She had to get there before they did.

She took off over the clearing, her feet slapping at the hard earth. She saw a faint glow in the distance and turned towards it. She heard pounding behind her, or was it just the blood trying to work through her aching body? She didn’t dare look for fear of slowing down.

She grew closer, the light growing stronger. She heard a shout – they were closing in. She willed her feet to go faster, and with a sudden jolt of energy she propelled herself forward.

She could see the door. Her feet slammed onto the wooden steps as she bounded onto the porch. She threw the door open…