WANTING to LIVE
I ran for my life brushing past the tree trunks, dodging from shadow to slice of moon light, and back to shadows. I gulped air into my lungs straining to achieve more speed from my legs. The blood pumped past my temples, and the force told me of my heart beat. This was a race I hadn’t wanted, a race for my life. Behind I knew they were coming, their nostrils filling with my scent. I knew they would run me to the ground if I slowed. Faster my mind shouted, faster if you want to live. I ran into a clearing bathed in the moon light, lighting every thing like daylight. As the ground flew under my feet I saw the stream just ahead. The water might help; my Grandfather had once lost them by splashing down a stream. He had said the splashing water had covered his scent. I ran for the stream turning down stream. A few quick strides and I was splashing in the cold water. The water slowed my speed, but if it worked I would be safe. Then I could find a place to rest. I drove my legs harder leaping though the water to cover more distance. Behind I knew they were still coming, and the fear drove me harder. I miss stepped, crashing into the cold water pushing it over my head. I fought to regain my footing, struggling to run. The cold water had been shocking to my senses bring relief to my heated body. My eyes were clear, and I could see the brush beginning to grow closer to the stream side. I needed to get clear of this water so I could move faster. Ahead came the sounds of water moving faster, and it moved the air around me. Ahead I knew was a pool where I often fished with my Grandfather. This pool was in a clearing, and would give me access back into the trees. My legs were failing so I fell belly first into the water, swimming with the current allowing it to speed my travel. My head was driven under the pool surface, and I struggled to the surface. Quickly I stroked for the shore, and gathered my legs under me. For a moment I stood listening for the sound of them. Nothing but silence, then I heard a dislodged stone strike another. I stood frozen listening, straining to hear if they knew where to go. A splashing of water up stream, and I was running again. I didn’t know if they were coming down stream, or moving up stream I wasn’t waiting. I ran in under the tall trees for the shadows they would provide never hesitating in the direction of travel. I needed to reach shelter, and my grandfather’s place was only a couple miles ahead. On I ran pushing my legs, straining to obtain more air in my lungs. Suddenly a branch broke to my left, and my stride was loss, sending me crashing into a tree. I sprawled on to the ground, regaining my knees, looking for the noise, and finding nothing. There was something, I knew something had broken the branch. I didn’t hear them, couldn’t see them, but I knew something had broken that branch. Frozen there I tried to get my breath, letting my body rest, feeling my heart beat thru my temples. Something moved in the shadows, and I was running once again for my life. Some where ahead was the open fields of my grandfather’s place; I could see it in my mind. I wished for those fields as I ran, knowing the safety I had always felt there. Wishing I had stayed at the neighbors, wishing this was a dream, wishing and wishing, but running for my life. From a distance behind I heard the noise of something moving, and the fear drew more strength from my body. Thru the trees I could see the field of moon light ahead, and I ran and ran trying to reach the light. Suddenly I was into the field, the moon light so strong it was blinding to my eyes. Still I ran using all my strength to drive my legs. From behind I heard them running thru the trees, they had my scent now and they new where I was running to. In the distance I saw the dark shape of my grandfather’s place, and took the straight line for it. I heard them leave the trees, and knew they would travel faster than I could thru the field. I took a quick glanced behind me, seeing their shadows in the field, moving quickly towards me. I ran harder and harder, but the strength of my body was fading fast. From ahead I heard a voice calling my name. Relief flowed into my mind it was my grandfather, I tried to yell back, but there was no air for the yell, and on I ran. The sounds from behind were getting closer, and I knew they were gaining quickly. Again I heard my grandfather calling, and I struggled to drive my legs. They were to close, I’ am not going to make it my mind shouted, telling me that I had lost the race. I glanced back, and the sight almost froze me in place. They were larger than I had thought, and close much to close. I struggled to run my lungs screaming for more air, my mind telling me it was hopeless. Once more I heard my grandfather’s voice, and I struggled for the sound. I glance once more behind, and saw the red eyes in the moon light, the white teeth gleaming, and I knew they had me. There was my grandfather’s voice again, closer this time. I ran struggling to escape even as my eyes opened, and by the bed stood my grandfather calling my name.
