JIMMIE’S POV
The path was narrow and endless, carved into a forest that didn’t seem real. Trees groaned like they could speak, their twisted limbs reaching for me like they knew what was coming behind.
I ran.
My legs moved as if I didn’t own them, lungs heaving, breath coming in short, panicked bursts. Everything smelled like wet leaves and dread. The air was thick, heavy, almost alive.
But the thing behind me was worse.
Its growl was thunder, deep and low and vibrating through the ground. It wasn’t barking. No, that would’ve been too kind. This was a promise. A death sentence is being read one step at a time.
I didn’t dare look.
I didn’t want to see it again.
But I couldn’t help myself.
I glanced over my shoulder, and that’s when I saw it.
A massive dog, no, a beast barreling th
