She pushed through the burning in her lungs, every breath like fire searing her chest. Exhaustion clawed at her limbs, begged her to stop, but she couldn't—she dared not.
Adrenaline surged through her veins, forcing her forward, her heartbeat a deafening drum in her ears.
The forest was dense, shadows stretching long beneath the moonlight. Branches whipped against her skin as she ran. The damp earth threatened to give way under her feet, but she didn't slow. She couldn't.
Then—snap.
Her foot caught on a twisted root hidden beneath the leaves. She crashed to the ground, the impact rattling her bones. Pain flared in her knee, warm blood already seeping through torn skin.
But there was no time.
She shoved herself up, biting back a cry, every muscle screaming in protest. There was no res
