DREAMS OF FAITH

One

Run. Keep on running.

Get away, don’t let them catch you.

She chanted forcefully in her head. As if it will help her to run faster than before.

The trees look more sinister without the moonlight stars looming in the background. Darkness hid her from someone who’s after her but it also gave her goosebumps as there may be someone out here lurking and hiding somewhere ready to plunge her if she was not careful enough.

The grass felt rough under her feet. It almost resembled to a thorn piercing to her wounded feet. It hurts. But she kept going.

Either this or that. She doesn’t have much choice.

She started to pant and her breathing became quick and labored. Her heart was pounding loudly that it gave a taunting sounds against her ears.

She missteped on some tree roots and stumbled making her fell hard on the forest floor unceremoniously. She had no time to check her throbbing ankle and knees. She groaned when her muscles reacted violently when she pushed herself up.

She started to run again. Her aching ankle felt more intense than before. But it didn’t stop her from running or maybe, limping as fast as she can.

Fuck, it hurts.

She clamped her lips together blocking the scream from leaving her mouth.

‘Just a little more. Just a little more.’

‘Maybe the cave is somewhere here. It must be here, somewhere.’

‘Where the fuck is it?’

Annoyance and fatigue covered her like a thick blanket lolling her to sleep and to stop fighting.
This is not how she expected her night to end. Her, running for her life in the midst of ghost like trees.

Her dress was probably torn apart from the twigs she passed along the way. Her bun was a mess and she might have been lost her shoes while running away.

She looked back to where she had come from and rows and rows of trees greeted her. She signed. She had lost them.

She halted and caught her breathing, still careful to not make any loud sound that could draw any attention.

She creased her eyebrows in confusion. The soil felt moist in this area. It must have rained earlier that day. She shrugged and proceeded to find the cave she had been looking for. It’s a matter of time before they know about this. Much better if she find it first.

She almost felt euphoric but suddenly a piercing sound rang airily around in the sinister forest. Birds flung away and the night felt more darker than before.  The forest became silent after.
Her heart jolted painfully as she turned around to where the sound came from. Still darkness. But she knew that they’re here.

A twig snapped in the distance. But it sounded just like it’s beside her.

She crawled moving her hands around trying to find anything that she could possibly defend herself with. Just to buy time.

She grasped on something. It’s cold and soft. A thick substance dripped on her hands and arms.
Her lips trembled and cold sweat suddenly appeared on her forehead.

‘It could be…’

She panicked. No, it couldn’t be

She screamed and dropped the arm she was holding.