The Dark Forest, by Adam Casalino
She ran through the forest without looking back. Her heart was beating against her chest and she could barely breath. It was too dark to see and she frequently stumbled over rocks and brambles. Stray branches scratched at her face. She didn’t care. She had to get away.
Somewhere in the distance a column of smoke curled up into the sky. In a broad clearing a quaint, little cottage crumbled into rubble. Slow, heavy footsteps walked away from the ruin, towards the wall of trees. Even deep within the forest she could hear him coming.