Neither Living nor Dead

Shadows moved... my heart pounded.

My throat felt dry- too dry to even call out for help; panic bubbled up, my breathing shortened it, quickened.

Shadows moved again, inching a little closer- too close.

" They sense fear, don't fear them..." Roki-ki's voice reverberated in my head

They could sense us, they could feel us - they knew we were here.

My crouched legs began to back up; I had mere moments left...

Disgruntled groans came closer...

I felt something on my back.

I grasped the red, emergency axe tight.