The small fire they had kindled in the center had gone out, allowing them to merge with the darkness. All three men surrendered to the abyss of dreams. Andrew’s eyes flickered as if he were having a seizure in his sleep. A faint, barely perceptible sound pierce his ears, rousing him from his slumber.


He opened his eyes wide, a wave of horror seizing him instantly! Silently, he watched as a feminine figure crawled across the snow- covered ground, dragging Ches slowly toward a shadowed bush.


His breath staggered, and reason abandoned him. The female form ceased its movement, lifting a gaze almost human and locked onto him. She smiled, revealing sharp teeth and Andrew erupted in a fit of terror- stricken screams. Abandoning everything, he broke into a desperate sprint toward the unknown, leaving behind the distant calls of Milo and Frankie, who frantically called him back!


He ran like a madman, convinced that she had become his shadow. He leapt over bushes, narrowly skirting tree trunks, tearing through every leaf in his path. His pace was frantic, unyielding, unstoppable.


Then, he found himself at the bridge.


<< Andrew!>> Milo’s voice called out from the other end of it.


Andrew stepped back in fright and resumed running without any destination in sight!


His ankles felt on the verge of shattering, while the cold bit at him with increasing ferocity. Milo and Frankie’s voices faded into the back round, replaced by growls and erratic footsteps, as if some human-like beast were chasing him down. In sheer panic, Andrew screamed, hoping fate would favor him and lead him to the hunter with his loyal hound.


Human figures loomed ahead, silhouettes outlined in the distant dark.


<< Help>> he shouted, drawing the figures toward him.


He was saved! Relief washed over him- only to crumble within a heartbeat as he recognized Milo and Frankie’s faces. He halted abruptly. The bridge he’d crossed moments before, now lay directly ahead. Had he somehow circled back? How could this be?


<< Andrew! Calm down! Listen to me..>> Milo tried to soothe him but Andrew decided to rely on his instincts. He took a few steps back, releasing a cry of despair, and bolted once again, leaving the two men behind.


Glancing back, he watched to gauge the distance between them, only to see Milo and Frankie’s figures break into a sprint, racing toward him.


The veins on Andrew’s face bulged as he forced himself to push harder, to run faster than he ever had. This was a race for his life!