Deep Into the Woods

Althaia

We kept running deeper into the depths of the dark woods. Our bare feet pounded on the forest floor, trying to escape the people chasing us and the bullets flying by. But my pace had slowed down. My body begged for even a small gulp of air, my lungs burning for a break, but I had to keep going.

I still hadn’t fully recovered despite what I told Damiano. My body was weak and heavy, covered in sweat as my legs threatened to collapse. If it wasn’t for my mother's tight grip on my hand, pushing me to keep going, I would be dead.

“Over here.” My mother led us behind a towering tree, its trunk wide enough to hide us.

My body gave out, and I crumpled to the ground. I gasped for air, feeling a sharp pain with each breath. Nausea threatened to overpower me, but I somehow held it at bay and shifted my attention to calming my breath. My mother sat down on the ground and rubbed my back, trying to help me as best she could.

I rested my back against the tree, closing my eyes when I