The beast's gaze remains locked onto her like a predator zeroing in on its prey, having sensed her about a few seconds ago. Or had it been longer - she had no idea.

Panic surged through her veins, and when it looked like the creature began garnering enough energy to pounce, she immediately ripped her eyes away and broke into a sprint for it. Thrown back into the thick darkness the forest offered, she cut through the narrow spaces between the trees, and her pounding footsteps resumed ...