The sound of a snapping twig brought him to a dead stop. He felt the blood drain from his face, taking all warmth with it. His eyes were wide and his nostrils flared as he tried to suck in as much oxygen as he could without making a sound, and although he couldn’t hear anything, he knew he was no longer alone. Something was moving slowly through the night towards him.
He stepped carefully backwards, one foot behind the other until he found himself backed up against a large tree. He reached back, his hands coming to rest on the coarse bark. Sliding one hand over the other, he guided himself slowly around the trunk to the other side where he allowed himself a few seconds’ rest to catch his breath.
His heart beat a tattoo. A slight sheen of perspiration shimmered on his forehead. He wiped i
