1 The Lost

Everything was exactly how she remembered it, but the sky was starless and black, the air was thick and nothing could be seen past her out-stretched arms. Nearly fully crouched, she felt the ground was wet and nothing could be heard except the muffled sound of the wind blowing. Her hand was flat on the ground, she felt the moss beneath her palm, trying to see if she could feel the pounding of someone running nearby, but was met with the thundering sound of her heart beat in her chest.

Frantically looking around, trying to find the shadow of the monster following her. She knew she would not leave this forest unharmed.

Suddenly, the sound of a twig snap under something heavy, she bolted into the underbrush. Her bare feet padded against the hard ground, she could hardly feel the sharp stones cut into her soles, or the thousands of thorns punishing her legs as she pummeled through the forest.

Pushing herself through the trees, feeling the arm-like branches whip across her face, she could still hear the thing behind her. Soon, she would have to stop to catch her breath, she cannot further anymore at this capacity. The thought of meeting Death so soon filled her with dread, a deep weight settled in her stomach, hot tears streamed down her face, she refused to be caught, she must find a way to keep moving.

Running into an circular clearing, she slowed, she thought the running behind her ceased and she was correct. Coming to a halt, her lungs could not take another moment of this strenuousness, collapsing to her knees. Deafened by her pulsing heart, beating in her head. Folding into herself, she held her face and gasped desperately for air.

For half a second she was safe. Her head tilted to the sky, she finally saw the sky. The Moon was Black, the stars shined brightly against her bloody skin, the wind caressed her fresh cuts. Her hair was nearly cut off completely, her once fine robes turned tattered and ragged. What was once decorated with yellows and pinks was now brown and red from dirt and dried blood. Her eyes bloodshot from the hours of waiting for the exact moment to escape. But her moment of freedom ended when the breaking of treetops echoed through the night, heavy wings beat toward her, and suddenly a man, but only it wasnt a man, standing not 7 feet ahead of her.

The woman struggled to get to her feet, her legs buckled and her arms would not move. Bent down onto the ground, she stared up at the figure. Its skin resembling the Moon though its eyes shone bright like Rubies infront of a flame and they beamed down into her like poisoned daggers. But she did not dare look away, she dared not to blink, as if constant eye contact would soothe the creature.

The captive caught by her captors.

A voice break the silence, "Ah- 'The One That Got Away.'"