The thin air burns my throat as I push my naked back against the bark.
I’m certain that if he’s close, (which he has to be,) my rabbit heart will give me up. In the growing darkness, the temperature begins to drop, and a wave of goosebumps wash over me. It’s difficult to think through the fog of adrenaline, and I have to fight hard to control the animal in me that just wants to hide.
I cling to this tree, trying to decide where to move next. He expects me to be frozen to the ground, and as it stands, my only chance of getting ahead of him is to do the opposite of that.
*I need to move now.*
Eyes darting, I will myself to take the first step, but as soon as my foot is planted firmly on the ground, my blood runs cold.
I hear him.
Muffled steps, crunching against the thick layer of brush. If I had to guess, he is no more than 100 feet away, but I have no idea if he knows I’m so close.