I was completely engulfed by the woods.

I raced until the sound of Michael was reduced to the scratchy pulse of my breath and the campfires behind me transformed into eye-catching strokes of gold and scarlet. The night air was heavy with wet leaves and pine resin, and branches tore at my mantle as my legs pounded the earth. Even though my heart was pounding, I refused to stop. If I had stayed near him any longer, I would have completely collapsed.

I struck the trunk of an old tree when ...