BLOOD MOON » Embry Call

09. RUNNING

   HER BREATHS came out in quick and heavy, concentrated huffs of air. The sound of her feet slamming against the earth and roots in a regular pattern beneath her barely echoed throughout the area. Her feet carried her deeper into the dark forest, having left behind the moon as the only source of light a long time ago. By now she was moving at a speed far surpassing her human capabilities and it nearly seemed like she was flying.

   She didn't think. She only saw what was ahead of her and found a way past the hindrances along the way. It was so simple. The surrounding trees and boulders were merely a blur in the peripherals of her vision; the only thing she was focused on was the path ahead.

   The terrain shifted slightly and she felt herself ascend a steep hill until her feet nearly slipped on a mossy rock. She regained her balance, saw a tree right in front of her and put all her strength into pushing herself off of the ground. The girl jolted upwards and held onto a branch, swinging back and forth. Then she swung around the branch, heaving herself up to climb further into the treetops.

   Her fingernails dug into the cold bark, and there were no sounds except for occasional groans and an owl hooting in the distance.

   Once she had reached the top she let herself sink against the stem of the hemlock tree. The moonlight illuminated her flushed cheeks, the stars glistening in her deep grey eyes. Her heartbeat resonated loudly in her ears, almost deafening. It was only now that she felt the burning sensation in her thighs and shoulders, a sting seemingly piercing through her lungs.

   Avery reminded herself to breathe deeply, as she closed her eyes and took in the energy of the moon. For the moment it felt as though she could handle everything. Her mind was clearer than it had ever been before, although she had been so close to losing it just a few hours ago. From up here everything seemed so small, so insignificant.

   The waves were crashing into the cliffs in the distance, the wind was much stronger now. Upon opening her eyes again, Avery felt oddly at peace. What had happened earlier that day was a slip-up, an accident. All she had to do was keep the walls intact, and keep everything inside for a few more days. Once things were back to normal she would have no issues, just like before.

   She would be fine.

   The descent to the ground was easier, it only took the girl roughly a quarter of a minute until she was on solid ground again. The muscles in her legs were still tense, and she breathed in deeply before sprinting back along the path she had come from.

   About a mile away a large wolf with deep silver fur and dark eyes perked up his ears at the sound of a hasty heartbeat and hurried footsteps in the distance. He jolted up from his sitting position on a rock, as the animal darted toward the human.

   Avery soon heard the distant noise approaching and took one last leap off a boulder before landing on a patch of grass, now falling back into a slower running speed that would appear normal to anyone who could possibly be awake around this time. The wolf was now getting close to the human, however noticed that there seemed to be no danger. Slowing his pace, the wolf made his way toward the edge of forest, where he saw a girl jog into the direction of the local hotel. He had picked up the familiar scent a while ago, even more of a reason for him to see whether things were alright. Once Avery was out of sight, the wolf retreated into the woods again, resuming his previous activity.

   Avery tiptoed up the stairs to her room and hurriedly slipped through the door. Exhaling deeply she turned on the lights in the bathroom and stripped herself of her running gear, throwing everything on a pile in the corner.

   When the hot water met her face she let out a satisfied hum, running her hands through her hair. As she turned around to pick up the shampoo bottle, she hissed at the sting of the water making its way down her body and into cuts she had previously not noticed. Turning her arm to investigate the odd feeling, she realised that among the rush of adrenaline when running again after such a long time, she had likely ignored any smaller branches grazing her fragile skin.