Sarah's lungs burned as she ran towards the main road. She couldn't yet see it in the distance, and the heavy footsteps behind her were getting closer. She pumped her arms harder, not daring to look over her shoulder. Her heart felt as if it would explode from her chest as her feet pounded the dirt lane. The sun had already set, and near darkness had settled over her tree lined route.
Sarah didn't notice her shoe lace had come undone, and to her surprise, she fell off balance. She felt the burn on her knees and chin as she hit the ground. She could hear her predator gaining on her, so close, his labored breathing was audible.
She picked herself up, not bothering to tie her shoes, no time for that. She glanced back. He was so close now, she could see the yellow bandana covering his mouth, like a bandit. Dark sunglasses hid his eyes and the ballcap he wore rested snugly over his forehead.
Sarah stared for a minute, frozen in fear. Her mind said run, yet her body refused to move. She heard the man grunt as he neared her, startling her into motion. She turned to run. The pain shooting through her knee slowed her down. She was sure he would catch her now. Half limping, half running, Sarah felt a small sense of relief as she rounded the turn, the main road now in full view. She continued running, feeling safe enough to look behind her. The man was gone.
She knew he was probably still watching as she slowed to a walk. She had managed to escape, this time. But she couldn't help but wonder if her fate lay in the hands of the masked man, and how long before he finally caught up with her.
Sarah decided to turn down 5th street. She was sure he didn't know where she lived, exactly. She cut through a couple yards and behind the post office. She was beyond relief when she reached 4th street and her door.
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