Dragon’s Flame

- Nikolai Volkov:

I could feel the rough ground tearing at my hands when I fell down as I scrambled forward, each stumble and fall searing pain into my skin, but I pushed myself up again.

There was no time for weakness, no space for exhaustion or taking a rest.

The only thing I could think of was running, just putting as much distance as possible between me and Damon.

I could almost feel him in the shadows behind me, a relentless force, his presence pressing down on me like a threat.

I didn't dare look back—I didn't need to.

His purpose was like a weight in my chest, every instinct screaming that he was closing in, that he would catch me and trap me again.

The forest blurred around me, trees melting into smudges of dark green and brown as I forced my legs to keep moving, despite the burning in my muscles and the rawness of my breath tearing through my throat.