The Chosen Prey

Echoes in The Dark

Lila didn't know how long she stood in the clearing, her body stiff and unyielding, every nerve on edge. Her heart hammered in her chest, but her mind was already racing, processing everything that had just happened. The predator—the man who claimed to have "chosen" her—was toying with her, making her feel like prey. This was no ordinary chase. It was a twisted game where he controlled the rules, and she had no intention of playing along.

She needed to find a way out. Fast. The forest loomed around her, thick and suffocating, but she wouldn't let it trap her. He thought he had her cornered, but she wouldn't let him win.

Taking a deep breath, Lila glanced around. The moon was high, casting pale light through the trees, just enough to reveal a faint trail leading deeper into the woods. She hesitated only a moment before following it, her heart pounding with every step.

The trail was narrow, winding like a serpent, and the further she went, the more the trees thickened, blotting out the moonlight until darkness consumed her. Her muscles screamed in protest, her feet crunching over leaves and snapping twigs, but she didn't stop. The silence was unnerving—too quiet, too still. She knew he was there, watching, waiting. His patience was terrifying.

Every now and then, she glanced behind her, half-expecting to see him emerge from the shadows. Nothing. Just the oppressive weight of the forest pressing in on all sides.

Suddenly, the distant howl of a coyote echoed through the trees, its eerie cry sending chills down her spine. She swallowed hard, trying to steady her breath, but it was no use. Her chest tightened with fear, her footsteps growing faster as the realization of just how isolated she was hit her full force. There was no one coming for her. No one would hear her scream.

The path grew steeper, the ground littered with rocks and exposed roots. Lila stumbled several times, catching herself on nearby trees, her palms scraping against the rough bark. But she couldn't afford to fall—not now. Not with him lurking behind her.

Think, Lila. Think.

There had to be a way out. A road nearby, maybe even a stream she could follow. If she could find water, it would lead her to civilization, away from him. The woods couldn't stretch on forever. There had to be an end.

Just as she thought this, she heard it—a soft rustling from the right. Lila froze, her heart leaping into her throat. The sound came again, closer this time, like someone—or something—moving through the trees.

And then she saw him.

The man emerged from the shadows with eerie grace, his eyes locking onto hers the moment he stepped into view. He was tall, his figure cutting an imposing silhouette against the night, and his face... Lila's breath caught in her throat. There was something wrong about it. Too pale, too sharp. Almost...inhuman.

He watched her in silence, the same unsettling calm radiating from him. Then, with deliberate slowness, he took a step forward.

Panic surged through her, and without thinking, Lila turned and sprinted down the trail. The trees blurred around her, branches whipping her arms and face, but she didn't care. She couldn't afford to care. All that mattered was getting away.

But no matter how fast she ran, she could hear him behind her. His footsteps were slow but steady, almost like he knew she couldn't escape.

How does he move like that? The thought pierced through her fear, but she shoved it aside. It didn't matter. She had to keep moving.

The trail twisted sharply, and Lila nearly lost her footing as she skidded around the bend. Her lungs burned, her muscles screaming for rest, but she pushed through the pain. She wouldn't give up. Not now.

But he was gaining on her. She could feel it—the air around her seemed to grow colder, the shadows deeper, darker. Lila's chest tightened with dread. She couldn't outrun him. She had to think of something else—anything.

Her eyes darted around the forest, searching for something she could use. And then she saw it. A massive tree stood ahead, its branches hanging low, just within reach. Without hesitating, Lila leaped, grabbing hold of the lowest branch and pulling herself up. Her muscles screamed in protest, but she ignored the pain, climbing higher and higher until she was safely hidden among the leaves.

She pressed her back against the trunk, trying to steady her breath as she peered down through the dense foliage. The forest was eerily silent again, but she knew he was there. Somewhere. Watching. Waiting.

Minutes passed, each one feeling like an eternity, and then she saw him. He stepped into the clearing below, his head tilted slightly, his eyes scanning the area with that same unnerving calm.

Lila held her breath, every muscle tensed. He couldn't see her—not here, not hidden in the tree. But what if he heard her? What if he sensed her? The thought sent another wave of fear crashing over her.

He stood there, silent and still, for what felt like hours, his gaze sweeping over the forest floor. Then, without a word, he turned and continued down the trail, disappearing into the shadows once more.

Lila didn't move. She couldn't. Her body was frozen in place, her mind struggling to process what had just happened. He was gone. For now. But how long would it last?

I can't keep running like this. She knew that much. If she wanted to survive, she couldn't just run. She needed to outsmart him. She needed to fight back.

Slowly, painfully, she climbed down from the tree, her legs trembling beneath her as she hit the ground. The moment her feet touched the earth, her heart began to race again. She needed a plan. But the forest was a labyrinth, and she was lost.

Stumbling over rocks and roots, Lila made her way deeper into the woods. Her breath came in shallow, ragged gasps, her body exhausted from the chase. But she couldn't stop. Not yet.

And then, just as she thought she might collapse, she heard it.

"Lila..."

A voice, soft and melodic, echoed through the trees. It was impossible, but she recognized it. Her blood ran cold as she turned toward the sound.

It can't be.

But there, standing just a few feet away, was a figure. A woman, her face obscured by the shadows. But Lila knew her. She would know her anywhere.

Mom.

Lila's breath hitched in her throat, her mind spinning. This wasn't real. It couldn't be. Her mother was dead. She had been dead for years. But the figure—her mother—took a step forward, her pale face illuminated by a sliver of moonlight.

"Lila, come here. It's okay." Her mother's voice was soft, soothing, but there was something off. Something wrong.

Lila took a step back, shaking her head. "You're not real."

The figure smiled—a slow, eerie smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I'm here for you, sweetheart. Come with me."

Panic surged through Lila, her heart racing in her chest. This wasn't her mother. It was something else. Something...twisted.

"I know what you're doing," Lila whispered, her voice trembling. "You're not her. You're not real."

But the figure didn't falter. It stepped closer, reaching out a hand. "Lila, don't be afraid. Come with me."

Lila's hands shook, her mind racing. She had to get away. She had to run. But her legs felt heavy, her body weighed down by fear and exhaustion.

And then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the figure vanished. Gone. As if it had never been there.

Lila collapsed to her knees, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Her mind reeled, struggling to make sense of what she had just seen. Was it real? Was any of this real?

She didn't have time to think. The man was still out there, somewhere, hunting her. And now, something far worse was stalking her mind.