Hunted down the crooked trail as the clouds choked out the moon, my lungs and body burned and ached; it might be over soon. I thought about stopping or slowing my pace in the hope of quick release, but I ran on, not yet time for eternal, tranquil sleep.
Underneath the blackening sky, the ground-shaking steps closed in. I dared not look back at my pursuing foe ’cause my focus was saving my skin. Deep heavy breathing drew near as I followed the river’s roar — my last hope was that he’d sink, not float - I couldn’t go on much more.
With no more light save a star here or there, I was running and jumping blind. Tree roots reached and branches grasped, the monster drew even closer behind. Upon the deafening rumble and water’s warning cold breeze, I took a leap of faith. If drowned or slaughtered before my time, I prayed the heavens would be where I wake.
Plunged into the river’s ice-cold embrace, my sense of direction was lost and gone. Tossed and turned like a leaf in the wind, my lungs demand for air to be drawn. In desperation, I thrashed to find my way up and surfaced somewhere downstream. Somewhere in the distance was a guttural growl that became an almost-human scream.
I’m still kept awake by that horrible night, still running in my restless dreams. Despite my fears of impending doom, I’m safe for the time being, it seems. But I cheated Death, who doesn’t take kindly to losing at these sorts of games. I still feel his eyes and know, soon enough, I will be chased again.