Dreamer

Prologue

        She couldn't stop running. She couldn't.
Stopping would mean getting caught by it. She wasn't exactly sure what it was, but she knew she didn't want it catching her.
        She used to run every day, it had given her some peace of mind.
But running like this? No. This was insanity. This was running for her life.
        She wouldn't stop tonight. No. She would never stop. She tripped on a rock but did not stop. Panting like dog, she ran and ran and ran.
        All at once, she tumbled forward. Panicking, she looked at her foot: It was caught in a gnarled tree root. She tugged as hard as she could but it refused to come loose. She shot a quick glance over her shoulder and saw as the moonlit woods were swallowed by blackness. Her heart hammered.
        It was getting closer.
She yanked hard on her leg, feeling her muscle pull too far. She screamed in pain. Through tears, she looked up and a tremor racked her body. She was done for.
        The silhouette of a man stood before her, shrouded by shadows; glowing red eyes set into his face - if you could call it that. There was nothing she could do now.
        Nothing but scream.