I stumbled but immediately caught myself. "Fuck..."
I turned and bolted into the forest, my heart pounding as tears blurred my eyes. Behind me, I faintly heard Emily shouting. Branches whipped at my face, and my legs burned as I pushed myself to keep moving forward.
The howls and growls grew fainter, but I didn't dare stop. My mind raced.
Please be okay, Emily. Please…
I didn't know how far I had run before the forest grew eerily silent. Slowing to a stop, I collapsed against a tree, gasping for breath. The weight of what had just happened crashed over me, and I fought to keep from breaking down. I pressed a hand to my stomach.
My voice trembled as I whispered, "I'll keep you safe. No matter what."
But even as I said the words, another thought lingered.
How much longer could I run before my past finally caught up to me?
