The three of us took off from Mrs. Doyle's house and dashed through the dark woods. I was trampling the underbrush with my bare feet. Rocks and thorny bushes slashed at my legs, drawing blood and threatening to trip me with every step.

But I wasn't going to stop now.

I heard Mrs. Doyle gaining ground behind me, her heavy footsteps quickening, and I could almost feel her hot breath on the back of my neck. I sped up as well to get out of her grasp, crashing through the bushes now, ducking under stray branches that threatened to grab my blonde curly hair. Over my racing heartbeat, I heard the rushing water of a river ahead of me and sped up even more, using the last of my energy.

Finally I saw white water licking up over the jagged black rocks and spilling onto the riverbank in the light of the full moon. I made a sharp turn at the edge of the water and started sprinting parallel to the river, daring to take a quick glance behind me. I could see the murderer, still coming ever closer.

But when I looked forward again, my head bashed into into a tree that I hadn't seen before. The impact caused me to fall to the ground and tumble down a small hill. I tried to get up, but my head throbbed and spots swam in my vision. I collapsed to the ground, fighting to stay awake against the dark, but I heard the murderer getting closer, and seconds later, a dark figure loomed over me.

This is it, I thought. This is the end. Sorry for getting you into this mess in the first place, Georgie. Goodbye...

But I knew my silent farewell to my best friend would never be heard. The dizziness tugged at the edges of my vision until finally I gave in, and I felt myself being pulled into the darkness.