The Girl From the Woods

All around me are woods; branches are scratching my face, but I don't care. There's blood dripping down my cheek, but it doesn't matter.

What matters is getting away from him before he finds me. Before he hurts me like he said he wanted.

Somewhere behind me, I hear his footsteps. The crunching of leaves help me locate him. But that also bring him closer to me, every time I move.

"Rachel," he calls softly. "I'm sorry I scared you. I didn't mean to. Let's go back to the party and have a drink."

I duck behind a tree, careful not to make too much noise.

It's dark, with only a faint sliver of moonlight, but it's enough to keep me hidden. At least for the moment until I need to take off again.

Panic rises in my chest, and I shut my eyes.

He calls my name again.

"Come out, Rachel."

I should have stayed where I was. But I didn't. And that's the reason he caught me.

But why he killed me?

It's the chase, and your life is the prize.

He whispered that to me on the porch, then he told me I'd better start running.