Author's Note: This story has not been forgotten, I promise you. But the reality of the real world has consumed me, and I haven't had time to do any writing. Here is the second last chapter of the story.
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A pool of blood lay beside Philip. The wolf, in his pleasure, licked his lips and turned back towards Rebecca. A tear rolled down hercheek and she closed her eyes for a minute. If there was ever a moment in her life where she wished herself invisible, it was now. But she tooka deep breath and opened them again, staring at the wolf long and hard. He raised an eyebrow and swiped his paw over his ear, then sat. He knew he would win. He was the hare and she was the tortoise. Even if he didn't try to kill her, she'd still end up in his grasp. He knew she was too weak now. He knew it.
And he loved it.
Rebecca scanned the area. A lantern hung outside of the nearest barn. Was that luck? The lantern could have only been left there by accident. Taking the opportunity as quickly as it appeared, Rebecca ran towards the barn, knocking the lantern in the straw. It smashed to the ground and she stood back, horrified as the light went out. The wolf snickered from where he was then closed in on her, sick of the chase and hungry for more blood.
Rebecca backed up, realizing she was backing into a corner. With a sob of frustration she began pleading with the wolf, who bent down to sniff the broken lantern, laughing the whole time.
"You really aren't very smart, are you? Breaking a lantern in which you could kill me with, backing into a corner. Oh dear, oh dear. What shall we do with you?"
Rebecca sobbed again, burying her head in her hands.
"There, there. I'll comfort you. By killing you and keeping you from the pain of living with the blood of others staining your hands." Rebecca looked up, her eyes red and swollen, a pathetic look on her face. But a moment passed and suddenly that look was replaced by revenge. Beside the wolf the straw burnt red with flames, shocking him as he realized what happened. In only seconds the fire had spread, now surrounding the wolf. Rebecca took the only chance she had and escaped, running towards the well. As she threw herself into the cool grass she watched as the fire swallow the wolf, him yelping and crying in the night.
The fire didn't stop there, though. It had already made it's way to the barn and a few other houses by the time Rebecca got back to Callum's house. The whoe town was in frenzy, but the fire was getting stronger and bigger and finally Rebecca found herself running to the barn, searhing for Philip's mare, Jodie.
Without a second thought Rebecca fled from the village, her hair wild behind her and her hands clutching the reins as hard as she could. Jodie's terrified whinnie stung at her ears as they travelled through the burning town. Soon, though, they had made it out. The cool, dark, quiet forest fell like a blanket over Rebecca, bringing the tranquility she had longed for for days.
Jodie stopped and Rebecca hopped down from her. The last thing she remembered was collapsing on the ground, closing her eyes and sighing, gently, as sleep overcame her.
