My breath was beginning to come quickly as I darted through the forest. I wonder how much longer I can keep this up? I mean, I know I could probably run for a long time, but how long before they caught me? How long before I tripped?

Ugh! I almost screamed in exasperation as one of my shoes went flying of my feet. No, not good! Not good! I almost bent down to pick it up, but then had another idea.

I tensed up and gauged how far away from me THEY were. I listened as THEY crashed through the undergrowth, not even attempting to be discreet anymore. I quickly scaled the tree nearest to me, holding the shoe in my teeth. I could practically feel the adrenaline rushing through my veins. I completely disregarded the way my hands were now bleeding freely.

Once I was at the top, I took the shoe and chucked it as far away from myself as I could. I once again listened and practically sighed in relief as I could hear THEM stop. I could imagine THEM changing their course and heading for the direction where they had heard my shoe fall.

I audibly exhaled when I heard them crashing through the trees once again, but this time away from me. I began climbing down again and easily swung of one of the lowest branches. I then began to run again.

It would confuse THEM for about ten minutes before THEY came toward me again I reasoned with myself. I could only hope it would be enough for me to get far enough away. But the question was, where could I go? No matter where I went THEY would find me. If not today then tomorrow. I briefly considered going to a police station before chuckling quietly. It took all my self restraint not to burst out laughing. That was what had lead me to where I was right now. I could try to get out of this forest and to civilization. I shook my head. No, even if I did manage to call for help, anyone who helped me would only be killed. No- I would not be responsible for more deaths. No- don't think about that!

In an effort to forget that train of thought I put on an extra burst of speed. No, I thought to myself, think about something else. How about a trivial question like, where the heck am I? I had been in this forest for about a week trying to get them of my tail. Now, of course I was completely lost. This was the story of my life.

I was really starting to feel the effects of not having one shoe. I groaned to myself as I stepped on yet another thorn. No, there was no way I would stop now. To do so would certainly mean death. I couldn't allow myself to die, not after all I had been through. I gritted my teeth and continued on. No, I would not give in. After all, that was what THEY wanted.

Suddenly I noticed there was something different. It was quieter. Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no. THEY knew what I had done. THEY knew where I was. THEY could be anywhere.

I knew THEM well. THEY would be loud when chasing me, but THEY were only quiet when they had the upper hand.

I unconsciously put my hands on the hilt of my sword. I grimaced when I heard a twig crack. I completely stopped. I closed my eyes. I knew better than to think that because I couldn't see them THEY weren't there.

I was listening for any sound when I heard one that I was dreading. A bow was being pulled back, most likely aimed for my heart. I knew better than to think THEY would miss. I quickly stepped to the side in time to see an arrow imbedded in the tree behind me.

I willed my breath to stop coming in such short erratic spurts. I needed to calm down if I had any hope of surviving this. I took a deep breath and shouted, "Come out and face me, you cowards!"

Before I knew it I heard another bow being pulled back. I thought to myself, so this is how it will be.

I never imagined myself dying from a bow and arrow. I mean, I remember when I used to imagine myself dying peacefully in my sleep with my loved ones around me. Well, looks like that wasn't going to happen. I couldn't help adding. I felt the tears sting my eyes. I know THEY have me surrounded. I mean, the last thing THEY are is stupid.

I snapped my eyes open in surprise when the arrow went through my arm. I couldn't help but let out a small yelp. The pain was horrible, but not overwhelming. After I was conscience of what was going on around me, again I realized the THEY had not killed me. That in itself was odd. They could have easily put an arrow through my heart; I could not compete with an unseen menace.

I felt myself falter as the pain began to get to me. I backed up a few steps and leaned against a tree, breathing heavily. However, I was proud of myself. After that first yelp I had not given them the satisfaction of making a noise.

I snapped my head up and I saw THEM walking towards me. I was right, they had me surrounded. A ring of THEM formed around the tree. This was my worst nightmare. I resisted the urge to scream. I knew I could not let THEM see my fear, however real it may be. Instead I fixed who appeared to be their leader with a steely cold glare.

He walked up toward me and I drew my sword with my left arm, my right arm hung limply from my side.

He chuckled and exclaimed, "You still fight, girl? You are going to lose. You are

going to die. Alone, where no one will know where you are. No one will remember you. Yet you still fight. It will make your pain worse."

I only continued to glare at him and got in to a fighting stance the best I could with an arrow sticking out of one arm. He sighed and seemed to motion someone with one arm. He then said as though amused, "Fine, have it your way."

Of course he would choose the least honorable way to fight. He wasn't even going to fight me. He was probably to high a rank to fight me. Wouldn't want him to get a scratch, now would we? I turned to face my opponent. He cockily swung at me but I sidestepped easily. I brought my blade up his back only a little uncomfortable at having ended someone's life. I swung around and parried another's attack. I quickly sliced his neck. It soon became the all too familiar dance of side steps, parries and blows.

However, before I knew it I was grabbed from behind and slammed against the tree that I had earlier used for balance. A thick rope was wrapped around my wrists as my arms were yanked back. I winced as my hurt arm was moved. I attempted to struggle against my bonds but quickly realized they would not budge.

Was it just me, or were there supposed to be these black dots swimming before my eyes? I quickly shook myself out of it, but when I tried to talk, found my mouth difficult to move.

I heard his voice say, "The poison must be taking effect. Now you will get to die out in the forest with no memories! I would love to watch you suffer, but unfortunately I have things I must get back to doing."

I could barely keep my eyes open. I heard them leave silently through the undergrowth, not leaving a trail to be recognized. My sluggish mind eventually realized what he meant when had said poisoned. The arrow. It must have had some sort of knockout drug on it. It was getting harder and harder to think. There was no way it was sage to loose consciousness now, though. THEY might come back. And who knew what else wandered in these woods. I shuddered at the thought of a wild animal coming to find me unconscious. Then again, I reasoned with myself, what could I really do? Even if I could fight of these black spots that kept appearing in my vision, could I defend myself against anything? I knew the answer. No, I could not. Not with my hands tied like they were. I looked around to see my swords lying a few feet away. At this point even blinking was difficult. I wanted so badly to close my eyes and keep them closed.

I struggled ever harder against the drug. Then something occurred to me. He had not only said that I would be left in the forest, he had said I would have no memories. This can't be good. I tried to struggle against my bonds again.

Eventually I settled for focusing on staying conscious. I focused on anything and everything. Even thinking about the pain wrenching my arm was a welcome change. Whatever I did, I could not lose consciousness. That would mean certain death. I must have stayed like that for a half an hour.

I knew I could not hold out for much longer. However, something was brought to my attention. It sounded as though some one was coming through the forest. I immediately tensed up as my thoughts returned to THEM. THEY were coming back, though what they could do to hurt me more I did not know. THEY had already left me to a slow and painful death, what more could THEY do than hurry it up a little.

However, it did not sound like one of THEM. THEY never made this much noise. In fact THEY never left a trail at all, unless if THEY were hurrying. Why one of them would be hurrying to me made no sense. It was not like I was going anywhere.

It hit me like a ton of bricks. It was not one of THEM. I tried to open my mouth to shout for help, but to my dismay I could not move any longer. The drug was taking effect. However I realized he was coming in my direction. I caught a glimpse of a boy about my age with dark, unruly hair and green eyes. He saw me about a minute after I saw him. I saw his eyes widen with shock and I noticed he had an odd scar on his forehead- almost in the shape of a lightning bolt.

This time when I blinked I did not open my eyes.