Meri ran through the dark alleyways, her steps heavy, and her breaths fast, the storm behind her pushing her forward with an urgency that felt impossible to escape. Her eyes were fixed on the horizon, where only a faint, unsettling light flickered. But in the distance, something caught her attention—a glimmer of hope. The forest.
From afar, the forest seemed beautiful and serene. Green trees swaying gently in the wind, their leaves dancing like delicate whispers of calm. It was the only refuge that could save her from the storm. Without hesitation, she sprinted toward it.
But with every step she took toward the forest, her fear grew. It no longer seemed as inviting up close. As soon as her foot touched the soil of the forest, an unsettling feeling gripped her chest. The fear that had been lurking beneath the surface began to surge, and for a moment, she felt as though she might turn back.
The deeper she went, the darker and heavier the air became. The sound of the storm still raged behind her, closing in on her with every passing moment. At that moment, fear overwhelmed her completely, and she stopped, glancing over her shoulder.
The storm still raged on, growing ever closer. Without a second thought, she turned back to the forest. She couldn't stay here. The storm was too close.