A human?
Shaking myself inwardly, I scold my own mind for jumping to conclusions. Why wouldn’t there be a human? This isn’t my very own forest. Other people run here too.
Yes, but on the trail...
Swallowing, I rub the goosebumps on my arm, trying to look in between the dense trees. There’s no figure. No shadows.
Nothing to worry about and I take off again, a little happy that it won’t be long until I’ve finished the whole trail. And maybe if there really was a person in there, then maybe they were picking something.
Flowers, mushrooms, berries.
Not spying on me.
But I still feel watched and my heart, picks up on my nervousness, immediately reacting. Suddenly I want Stan.
If he was here, I’d feel better. Whenever he’s around, I never feel scared...
In my periphery I catch something swishing by and I let out a low yelp. Jerkily turning my head to the side, I register that there’s nobody there but I know it’s just pretend.
They’re just hiding. Someone really is in there.
With a trembling mouth and panic in my eyes, I run down the trail until fire burns in my chest. Nobody is behind me but it still feels like someone is breathing down my neck.
Trying to get to me. Reaching for me...
I want Stan. I need him right now. I need him so much, that I’m close to bursting out in tears.
Stan, Stan, Stan!
It’s the only chant in my mind and I let out scared, little whimpers, somewhat relieved that soon I’ll be out on the street again but it still doesn’t feel like the danger is over. Whoever is in there could still decide to attack...
The panic makes my throat swell.
I can hear footsteps coming behind me, but when I look over my shoulder there’s nobody there. It’s like someone is playing a trick on me and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. My vision turns blurry and for a second, I see everything in double.
When I stumble, I let out a short cry, expecting someone to reach for me, throw me up into the air like a plaything but there’s nothing and I get up. Whatever is chasing me, it’s like its holding back.
Why? Out of care for me?
I shake my head, leaping over a toppled tree and I gasp from happiness when I catch sight of the street...
My breath punches out of me, when I slam into a tall, hard body, my eyes widening in fear when strong hands clasp around my upper arms.
“Amber?” Voice concerned. “What’s the matter? Are you okay?”
It’s him. The one I wanted.
“Stan!” I croak, throwing myself around his neck and his arms cage me in. “I’m so happy it’s you. I was so afraid.”
His Adams apple bobs.
“You were?” For some reason his voice is tinged with guilt, like it’s his fault I was scared. But it’s not, he made it all better again.
Even this close to the forest and even though whoever was in there is probably still there, I feel like nothing can hurt me when I’m surrounded by Stan.
“Someone was chasing me,” I say, not even aware of how hard I’m clutching the jacket of his tracksuit. “Someone was after me.”
His hands rub down my shoulders, my arms, controlling the adrenaline.