Pain. That was the first thought that rang through my mind as I shuddered, trying not to look at the blood down my arm, trying not to notice the sound of feet behind me. I had to keep moving, I had to keep on going.
There was no time to fear, there was no time to think or consider.
I wished I could have said better; been one of those who can fight and kill without a second thought, one of those who can switch their minds off to all emotions and focus on the situation. But I wasn't one of those, I was afraid and hesitating at each staggered step, pausing and wondering whether I had time to knock on a door.
Before me the floor seemed to disappear below, down into the darkness of night, and it took me another few precious moments before I realized I had reached the stairs.
Stairs.
I wasn't sure I could force myself down them; they seemed too steep, too far down.
Turning around I could now see her through the dim light, her teeth gleaming white through the darkness and her hands clutching at her waist. My senses were dulled by pain, my eye sight blurring from the loss of blood, but I was certain could hear her laughing; hear her voice echoing through the empty corridors.
Staggering back to face the stairs in one last desperate burst of energy, I felt my ankle snap. Felt the bone that had only just managed to support my weight brake and twist awkwardly outwards.
Pain wasn't even a word anymore. It had not enough meaning.
I didn't notice much after that, just the sensation of falling, the idea that I would die and the truth that my pain had only just begun.