35

Thirty Five

*Freya*

I was still running as fast as I could. I could hear the growls of the monsters behind me but I could not take a moment to stop. I needed to get out of this forest as soon as possible before I got eaten. The forest seemed to stretch on endlessly, the ancient trees creating a maze of shadows that danced in the fading light. I could feel the roots and rocks beneath my feet, threatening to trip me up at any moment. The growls of the monsters behind me echoed through the fog, their hot breath on my neck pushing me forward.

As I pushed myself harder, my heart pounding in my chest, a sudden gust of wind whipped through the trees, sending a cascade of leaves swirling around me. It was as if the forest itself was trying to hinder my escape, each leaf was an obstacle in my path. I stumbled over a root, pain shooting up through my leg as I fell to the ground.

Gasping for breath, I tried to push myself up, but my ankle throbbed with each movement. The monsters were getti