Pepper
Cold air crashed against my bare skin. I ran as hard as I could. Something panted hot breath on the back of my neck. I pushed harder, trying to escape.
Everything was dark. There was no end in sight, no relief from the chase. Nowhere to hide.
The air smelled of rot and decay; its breath on my neck burned my skin. The ground was cold, pulling the warmth out of me. The cloud covered sky reflected against the ground.
Ripples shot out on the ground with each of my steps. The monster panted, and I heard it splash against the ground with each step it took.
My chest burned, and I gasped for air. I’d been running for too long. My legs ached.
A hand reached up through the ground, pulling me under. Water filled my lungs as I tried to scream.
I jolted up and my mouth flailed open, letti
