Deep in the Woods

Chapter 1

As I run through the cobbled streets I focus on the rhythmic pounding of my bare feet. My head swinging from side to side as I scan the alleys for any sign of danger. I am desperate for a hiding spot, a safe place for my family and I. So far I have been searching for 3 days, 3 days that we have been forced to live among the protection of the forest, sacrificed to nature's cruel winter bite. If we don't find a home soon, we will die. I hold that responsibility, a responsibility that I seem to be failing.

As I make my way among the abandoned buildings, my heart sinks. These houses provide no shelter; their walls have long since been blown apart; plaster and splintered wood litter the streets.

 This town offers nothing, not even the odd rubbish bin of scraps. Defeated, I slow my pace down to a walk, finally feeling the weight of my exhaustion after days of non-stop running. I haven't eaten anything and the only water I've had is that from the streams I have passed. My hair is matted and my skin tainted with dirt. 

I let out a long-held sigh and duck into one of the crumbling houses, finding my feet dragging through thick rubble settled in the carpet. I look around, this room may have once been a lounge room but all that remains is a dusty, slightly damp smelling couch. I look it over with a sense of longing and decide that if I don't rest soon I will not make it back to my family.

 A couple of minutes couldn't hurt. I take two stumbling steps towards it before collapsing on the cushions, sending a puff of dust into the air. Meanwhile, I peacefully welcome sleep with open arms.

A dull rumbling pulls me out of unconsciousness and I immediately lurch to my feet, poised to act at a moments notice. I remain like this for a few minutes, tensed and ready before relaxing slightly when nothing happens, not letting my guard down fully as the rumbling remains.

 I lurch over to the only intact wall, pressing myself against it slightly in an attempt to conceal myself, but draw away when plaster rains down to settle at my feet. I inch myself towards the crumbling window. Unsurprisingly there is no glass remaining, instead, cracked plaster lines the gaping hole. 

Suddenly the rumbling sound intensifies and I jump, realising that the sound belongs to a vehicle, a large one and it's moving closer. I run my hand along the bottom sill, I'm going to have to jump. I size up the portion of wall I have to leap over and just as I begin my run-up, the engine stops.

 My body leaves the ground. My foot hits the sill and the entire wall collapses. 

I run.

I swing around the closest building, sprinting down the street, dodging the lamp posts and pieces of rubble in my way. I listen intently to the sounds behind me, footsteps echo around me, not one but multiple pairs. My heartbeat builds as well as my speed as I glance behind me, three men are on my tail, breathing hard as they keep chase. 

I form a rough plan in my head I just have to reach the forest and I will be safe, the trees will hide me and prove difficult for the men's wide build to run through. But just as I reach the tree boundary I lose my footing and suddenly I am on the ground, and before I can get back to my feet, hands grip my limbs and I am pushed back to the ground, my face is shoved against the earth. 

My eyes roll, trying to spot my attackers as I take deep gulps of air, but all I see is three pairs of black hiking boots. I tense my muscles, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I arch my back unexpectedly against my captors and, loosening their grip on my body I lurch to the side, ripping their hands off me and begin sprinting towards the trees, throwing my body forward as I stumble onto the pine needles. My feet pound on the damp earth as I race deeper, listening intently to the space behind me, fully alert. 

Suddenly there is a metallic click and a sharp pain in my shoulder jerks my body to the side as something settles in my skin, gasping, I reach around and tear the object out of my body, pulling it around to my face.

 I panic. 

Dropping the dart on the ground I freeze, turning slowly around to see the three men making their way towards me. I stagger forward, my vision blurring as I crash to the ground, crushing the empty dart.