Bab 42: The Shadow Creature

Leticia's breath came in ragged gasps as she ran, her legs pumping furiously. She was exhausted, her energy spent, but she couldn't stop now. She had to escape. The creatures had her once before, and she knew they wouldn't let her go again. She didn't dare look back, fearing what she might see. Her eyes blurred with tears, she fixed her gaze ahead

But alas her legs betrayed her, tangling in a twig. She fell hard, her palms scraping against the rough earth. She bit back a cry, her heart racing with fear. She immediately scrambled to her feet, but her legs gave refusing to support her. She collapsed, her body trembling with exhaustion.

As she lay there, she forced herself to concentrate, her senses straining to detect any sign of her pursuers. Relief washed over her when she realized she was alone. Then, she crawled to a nearby tree and leaned against its trunk.