The path whence she came grew thick with vines, as she watched, eyes cloaked with anguish. The woods caved towards her as fear gripped her by the shirt and held her there. Alone, though it midday, was terrifying.

She walked until her feet were numb. She was still lost, lost in the forest forbidden to her as a child. Her newly found adulthood left her void of precaution. Who could tell her not to go now?

She sank down onto the weeds and stared at the pond before her. It was odd, she thought to stumble upon a pond in the midst of a forest. The sky told her dusk was lurking on the horizon. She must find her way out soon, for the thought of what lurked after dark was far too terrifying to entertain.


Running was the natural response. If there is a noise, no matter how small, run. It was a survival skill that still clung to humanity, despite their civilized attempts to remove natural instinct.

She had been at the pond for far too long when noises in her tracks revealed themselves. She sat, frigid, hoping they were an aspect of an ever wild imagination. But no, the noises continued, getting louder by the second. She stood, gazing hesitantly behind her, louder still the noises became. Feet barely touching the ground, she was off. Cracking branches as she went and making far to much noise for wanting to remain unnoticed.