Just in case you don't know... I usally have updates on my bio... like for stories I just added chaps to or why I haven't been writing.

Running. The was the only thing she had to do. Keep running. Run for her life. How fast were these creatures? Did she lose them? Was it still chasing? Anna didn't dare to look over her shoulder to see. That would be too risky. She could trip over a root of a tree, or over a rock. If the creature was still behind her... She wouldn't have a chance. No, she couldn't look back. She just had to keep running, for how long, she wasn't sure.

The thin small branches wiped against her as she ran, her clothes tearing on large bushes. Leaves crunched under her feet. It felt like this wasn't her life. Like she was someone else, just watching this girl run. But, when she stumbled, she felt her heart beat faster out of fear that she'd trip. She'd quickly catch herself though.

She kept on running. Her legs felt like they'd give away at any moment. Her chest was on fire. Air was no longer able to get into her lungs. Her sides felt as if they would split. Her heart was wildly pounding against her chest, which was starting to be filled with pain. She felt weak and heavy. She couldn't keep this on forever.

Anna slowly came to a jog, then to a walk, and finally, to a complete stop. As soon as she stopped, she collapsed to the ground. She clutched onto a chunk of grass, as she tried to control her desperate gasps for air.

Anna laid there, on the ground, feeling a bit light-headed. She could feel her eyes lids getting heavier and heavier by the second. And finally, she let them drop.

Anna's eyes snapped open and she looked around. She was... In the forest. Alone. Lost. Somewhere else in the forest lurked even more creatures. In an instant, she was to her feet, hastily looking around herself. The darkness seemed to wrap itself around Anna.

She ran a few feet to where she thought she had came. But no, she didn't recognize anything. Not a thing. "Mother!" She shouted into the night. Nothing answered her. Not a voice, not a gust of wind, there was simply no sound at all. No frogs, no crickets, nothing. Tears stung her eyes, threating to escape. "Father!" Anna yelled, slowly moving to a thick tree, holding onto it, as if this would provide protection. Yet again...nothing. "Nicholas!" Her voice was more desperate and shrill this time. To Anna's horror... Nothing at all. She was utterly alone.

Against Anna's will, tears began to roll down her cheeks out of fright, as she sank down to the cold ground. She was alone in the forest, the creatures could be any where. They had almost gotten Nicholas, but... But Michael had tried to help. He was killed be them. Brutally killed by the awful creatures. He died, Anna never even got to say a word of good-bye to him. Michael, her only cousin, the one she could trust with anything was dead. Dead.

The cold autumn night wind blew over her, and she felt goose bumps running up her arms. Absent-mindedly, she rubbed them, her teeth chattering. She sank back into the ground and tree as best as she could, looking around herself. She wished someone would run up to her. Or she wished that she was dreaming. That this was only a dream, a nightmare, and that she'd awake in her warm bed, wake to see her family. This didn't happen. This wasn't a dream. She was awake.

Realizing that she was actually lost in the woods, that she'd cross the borderline...that she was alone with the creatures, Anna let out a cry which was crossed with a scream into the blackness of the forest. Now, the crying came freely. She let herself drop down, her hands holding her head, as she uncontrollably sobbed out of fear.

After minutes, her eyes had no more tears in them, the sobs would not come, she was fine. For now. She blinked, and wiped the back of her hand across her eyes, as she pushed herself off of the ground, so she was sitting again. She let out a soft breath, as she folded her hands together, staring at the ground. Anna remembered hearing stories of her mother have to cross the woods to the tows to get medicine for her father.

Her mother had made it through. She told Anna of the man, Kevin...was that his name? Anna was pretty sure... She had told her of how his voice sounded, gentle and kind. And how he had hastily brought back medicines for her, how he had been kind to her. Anna, always after hearing the story, had felt a feeling of... hope. The towns, the outside world was kind.

She was attacked, but she had killed the creature, and had made it back safely. Her mother made it through... She had braved the forest... She had made it.

Anna gulped, as she looked up to the crescent moon. She should be able to make it too. There was nothing to be afraid of...

Anna remembered when she was five, and she had been crying outside her parent's door. She was alone in the dark room. The very dark room. Anna didn't like being left alone in the dark. It was her father who had opened the door to her. He had lit a candle, and picked Anna up, walking back into her room. When inside, he layed her down, and pulled the covers over her. "Anna...There isn't anything to be afraid of." He said, sitting down next to her on the bed, softly stroking her forehead. "There isn't anything at all. I promise you."

"But-" Anna had began in a tone that threatened she'd cry again.

Lucius only smiled, as he leaned in closer to his daughter, "Anna, I'd never let anything happen to you. Nor would your mother. The dark is nothing to be afraid of. Fear... Fear is only an emotion. It can be overcome. It may take some work, but you can beat it. Do you understand?" He asked, gently holding her soft hand in his rough one.

"Y- Yes." She said with a nod.

"Don't think of what can happen...Only of what must be done."

She looked up into her father's eyes, "Only of what must be done?"

"Yes." He said with a nod. "Will you be alright?"

Anna looked to the candle, then to the corner of the room which was dark, then back to her father's face, "Yes."

"Good." He said with a smile, as he kissed her good-night. He then stood-up, and blew out the candle, making his way to the door. He stopped and said to Anna again, "Fear is only an emotion, Anna. I know your strong enough to beat it...Sweet dreams." And with that, he left Anna in the darkness. After that night, she never had a problem with being left alone in the dark.

Anna was slowly brought out of her thoughts as she heard the sound of crickets somewhere near. She'd be alright. Tomorrow, in the daylight, she'd search for a way back.

Fear was only an emotion, that could be overcome. She wouldn't think of what could happen, but only of what must be done. And that was getting out of the forest, back to the village.