Faster

A scream echoed through the forest after being cut off unnaturally. The girl running toward the dim light of the setting sun was pushed past fear toward terror. She knew the voice that was beneath that scream, Hans had been behind her.

They entered the forest for adventure and to escape their parents endless list of chores. In the light of day they recalled the stories of riches to be found and ignored the ban on entering the dark woods.

She never saw what caused Hans to shriek and run toward her. The look on his face and sound of his voice were enough to send her fleeing. Her attempts to see their pursuer were defeated by the deep shadows. Her shouted questions brought only gasped urges to run faster. A deep rumbling growl from behind erased all talk and sent her sprinting ahead of Hans.

Fear mounted as she remembered the cautionary tales concerning the forest. Wolves, witches and things that took children from their homes. The crash of their footfalls and heavy breathing masked any sounds of their pursuit. The scream marking her brother's death spurred Greta toward the edge of the forest. The trees began to thin and she saw her deliverance in an open field lit by the sunset.


An old man put the finishing touches on the low rock wall and placed a figurine upright in the stones to face the woods which ended abruptly, fifty paces away. The walls slight physical stature was overshadowed by the mystical barrier anchored by the figurine. The man began to chant a spell as he turned from the last light of the setting sun to face the forest, the full moon rising over the nearest trees. He continued his chant as a girl's scream echoed from the forest.