Captured

Julie had never run so fast in her life. She feared her lungs would burst, and she'd die just from running away. A shout from behind her reminded her to bury that fear under the fear of what would happen if she dared slow down, even a little: he would catch her.

She glanced back. He was closer than she thought. The steady rhythm of crunching leaves and snapping twigs beneath her feet increased in tempo. All around her, green and brown things blurred together. It was difficult to see if anyone else was anywhere near. It felt as though she was completely on her own.

She looked back again, and he was even closer. The panic inside her swelled up like a balloon, choking her. Her legs couldn't go any faster. She didn't know what to do. He kept getting closer and closer until he was right on her tail. Julie was so overwhelmed that she started to well up. There was no escape for her now. She was finished.

Behind her, he reached his arm out and grabber her shoulder. She screamed and started to cry as he pulled her back into a stop.

"Tag, you're it!" said her brother. "Don't be such a baby."

Julie wailed as he ran away.