Chapter 34: Run!

Zia ran as though her feet barely touched the ground. Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, so she was able to see somewhat of a pathway in the dark.

As she moved through the darkness, she began to see distorted images of faces on the trees as she grew closer to them and passed them by.

She could hear her heart beating erratically in the silence of the night. Her feet hitting the floor seemed as though each of her steps were being followed step by step. Paranoia set in as she breathed heavily.

Suddenly, there was a shift in the atmosphere. The wind howled angrily in the night sky as she bumped into trees and tripped over logs. She gathered herself quickly each time she fell. The gusts were so powerful against her small frame, pushing her off balance with each stride.

The only guide in the darkness was the moonlight peaking through the thunderous rain clouds. The air was thick and suffocating Zia with each breath. Something was terribly wrong, she could feel the danger nearby.