I ran until their voices faded. Until I couldn't hear their footsteps anymore. Until I was alone with just the sound of my own heartbeat and the whisper of wind through the trees.

Finally, I stopped in a small clearing and leaned against a tree, catching my breath. My side was bleeding again, the exertion had reopened some of my wounds. I pressed my hand against it, feeling the warm blood seep through my fingers.

"You can't run forever," I told myself. "Eventually, something has to give."

...