Chase

My heart races, my breathing fails, I can’t find air in my lungs.

My legs are beefy from the run. They’re strong, they’re fast.

Faster than Time. 

He’s always chasing me, always on my trail. A beast, a fierce, furious, scary, heavy beast.

I can’t stop until he stops. I can’t rest until he rests. 

I can’t look back. 

I can’t let him catch me. 

I can’t let him devour me.

Time is a beast on my trail.

Always, non-stop chasing me.

***

I can’t hear him anymore. 

I look back, I can’t see him. My squeezed eyes scan the perimeter, searching around for him.

He’s nowhere to be seen. 

I stop.

Panting, I bend with hands in my knees to give my heart a rest and breathe. Air cuts my lungs as it goes in.

My slightly wavy, blond snowy hair is so long now that it almost touches the ground. My milky flowy dress caresses my ankles as the silent breeze welcomes me into the forest. I don’t know how my bare feet remain clean and silky. It must be my blood heritage. 

As I walk, I hear the leaves ruffle and the birds chime. I can smell freshwater not too far ahead. Like me, rivers run non-stop - unless a rock blocks the way. But no rock will block my way.

The river is like a mirror, reflecting the green of the trees surrounding us. I capture the clear water with my palms and drink a sip from it. It feels rejuvenating. 

I sit in the bank to rest. Not too out in the open, but close enough to the river so I can jump on it when Time comes.

Time, a beast that pursues me. When will it stop? 

I sigh, closing my eyes for a moment. Once upon a time, he got too close. A little bit too close. I have to keep alert and remain vigilant. I can’t allow any distractions. There’s no room for it.

When I open my eyes again, I spot a shining rock not too far ahead. My feet tingle. 

I look around, searching for danger. I concentrate on listening, and the forest is the only sound I find.

My entire being is bursting with a growing desire, an aim to get closer. My muscles are tense, my body is defensive, but I have to take a peek. 

I allow my feet to speak for themselves and tip-toe towards the shining rock. I touch the round-shaped, tall rock and look up. The fluffy clouds in the sky are like egg whites. The faded sun shine coming through them in an opening makes the silver metal buried across it glow. 

Fast as a monkey, I climb the polished rock and grab the ancient gold handle. 

A wind gust shakes the leaves hard and I shiver, stopping to hold my breath. Pulling the sword out from the rock, I start to run.

He’s coming.

The chase has begun again.