Run.
Run.
Run.
Each pounding step reflected her mind signaling one command- run. Growls, snarls and heavy footsteps ripped through the night as she tore through the undergrowth, her lungs burning with every ragged breath. The moon shone bright illuminating it's gentle hue, bathing everything in a cold glow, every twig that snapped underfoot felt like a signal to the larger footsteps chasing her, her legs screamed with every stride as she leaped through brambles, sweat stinging her eyes but she pushed forward, she couldn't stop; couldn't quit, not until she was out...not until she was free.
Thud-thud-thud
Leaves crackled and twigs snapped with rapid bursts as the growls grew, dry branches splintered under hurried feet, each crunch echoing in the silence, as she heard the ragged breaths of the hounds almost at her heels.
Her breaths tore from her throat, her breathing came in quick bursts-- "hah, hah, hah" -- too loud in her ears, too loud when the men were so close. Each step grew heavier, yet she forced her body forward, the forest blurred past in streaks of shadow and silver light as she hurled herself deeper into the dark. Her legs burned but the trees were thinning. Up ahead, pale silver spilled through the branches – moonlight, an opening, maybe even safety. Her chest heaved with hope as she pushed harder, the shouts behind her were fading, drowned out by the hammering of her heart. Just a little farther, just a few more steps-
The snarl came first. In that instant a shadow lunged from the side and hot breath seared her skin as teeth clamped down around her ankle. The world spun as the beast yanked her to the ground, face-first into the dirt. Claws scraped her back, holding her down the growl vibrating through her bones. The men's footsteps thundered closer, but it was the dog's grip-unyielding, merciless- that told her the chase was over. Her hand stretched towards the clearing, trembling, almost reached the light- so close. The footsteps arrived- heavy crashing through the undergrowth. A hand shoved the dog aside, another seized her by the hair, yanking her upright. She cried out, stumbling, her legs too week to hold her.
"Got you" a voice hissed, low and cruel against her ear. His breath smelled of smoke and rot. Her knees buckled, the fight draining out of her as her body sagged in his grip as he dragged her backward into the shadow where the others awaited.
The forest that had seemed endless only moments ago now felt like a cage. The moon still glimmered above, pale and far away but its light no longer promised escape- only a reminder of how close she had come. The forest's cold air pressed in around her, but it wasn't the chill that made her shiver, it was the torture that awaited her, she could almost feel it already- the cruelty, the agony- lurking just beyond the tress.