Run, Climb, Escape

Erin Shetler

Run.

Sticks cracked beneath my feet.

Run.

I couldn’t look back. Not now, not ever.

Run.

I couldn’t remember how long I had been running for.

Run. 

My eyes darted around looking for somewhere to hide.

Run.

The cold winter air ran through my charcoal hair, making me shiver.

Run.
I didn’t want to leave my childhood home, but I had no choice.

Run.

I see something in the distance.

 

Climb.

The forest ended with a ten-foot-tall stone wall.

Climb.

I had never climbed anything before, especially in a ball gown.

Climb.

I looked behind me and saw that it was coming.

Climb.

I jumped up as high as I could and grabbed onto a brick.

Climb.

I did surprisingly well, because of my adrenaline.

Climb.

It reached the bottom of the wall just as I pushed myself to the other side.

Climb.

I fell onto the ground and began running again.

 

Escape.

I don’t remember what happened next.

Escape.

What I do know is that I woke up in some sort of cave.

Escape.

The creature stood at the door, facing me.

Escape.

There was no way out besides the main entrance.

Escape.

I picked up my dress and made a run for it.

Escape.

That was when everything went black.

Escape.

And I’m still trapped in the darkness.