Narrator

Toward the tunnel we'd come through, the rhododendron choke point, and from behind us, over the coughing and shouting, I heard the heavy crack of brush as the big thing moved, fast, shockingly fast, parallel to the creek, as if it was circling too.

We hit the tunnel, branches whipping our faces, packs snagging.

Tessa shoved through first, forcing the opening wider.

Luke went second.

i went last and as i pushed into the tight green passage i heard glenn's voice behind us hoarse with rage run he snarled run run run it sounded like mockery like he was enjoying the chase already

We burst out of the tunnel onto the trail, if you can call it that, on the other side, gasping, scratched, hearts hammering.

We didn't stop.

We ran downhill, boots slipping in mud, branches slapping, breath burning.

Behind us, a whistle sounded, three notes, sharp.

Then two notes answered from another direction.

Then far off, the deep bellow rolled again, closer now, angry, and the way it echoed made it feel like it was inside the trees with us.

We ran until our legs shook, until the forest stopped looking like separate trees and started looking like one continuous wall.

We ran until we hit a creek crossing and the ground flattened slightly.

And even then we didn't stop, we just staggered, bent over, hands on knees trying to suck air.

Luke wheezed, eyes wild.

They took it, he rasped.

They took the messenger.

Tessa's face was streaked with sweat and pepper spray residue.

I know, she said.

Luke looked at her like betrayal.