MISPER

Prologue

Breathing loud and quickly, she ran through the dark forest. Her bare feet were bleeding from all the scratches she received while her soft skin came in contact with the rough forest ground. Braches with leafs smacked her face, when she pushed through them to get forward as soon as possible.

The ground was slippery because of the leafs and the undergrowth was stinging her week legs as she ran for her life. Her petit, but very heavy body was moved by pure fear and survival reflex that brought her out of that hole in the first place.

She heard the horrible human monster somewhere behind her, cursing and chasing her like the animal he was. She had to get away from him or she would die – like many before her.

Natsume, Natsume, Natsume… she chatted in her head, wishing he had found her and saved her. He did not.

The forest suddenly ended, and she had the wide dark sky full of stars above her for the first time in a long time. She had no idea how much time had passed.

He was not far behind her.

She needed an escape.

She must not stay in the clearing or else…

There were a few holiday cottages nearby and she rushed towards the door, banging on it. She did not know they were empty. ''Open the door!'' she screamed hysterically and looked back frantically. He was almost there; she could not see him, but she did hear him. ''Please, open the door!''

She could not wait any longer. With her elbow, she smashed the door window, reached in with her bloody hand, and unlocked the door, pushing in. She banged it closed and ran in; quickly realising it had been a mistake. Now he could catch her and she would not be able to escape.

She noticed the backdoor, but he was already inside. She crouched down and then moved on all her four. With her huge belly, this seemed the hardest thing ever. She came across a metallic bar, lying on the floor, most probably from an old pipe, forgotten by the owner. She subconsciously grabbed it and took it with her.

He was moving slowly, carefully, listening to the sounds, she might make, but she was already by the backdoor, unlocked it, and escaped through it.

She pushed her pregnant body down the few wooden stairs and ran again towards the other side of the forest.

I don't want to die.

She was in the forest again and the ground was not even anymore. It felt like it went down a hill and a few bushes made her trip and fall on her knees, and for a moment she almost panicked that she had hurt her baby, but it was still in there and moving to get out. So she scrambled to her feet again and rushed forward, once again coming to a clearing. There was a wide lake right in the middle and stars were illuminated on its surface.

He would see her here.

She ran, but when she was at the shore, the cramps brought her to her knees into the low water.

Wait little one, please wait…

But the child did not want to wait.

Gathering her last strength, she pushed herself into the water to somehow escape, but she knew, it was in vain. She was still clenching at the metallic bar, trying to get deeper into the water. He grabbed her shoulder and pushed her back to the shore.

Lying on her back, still struggling to get free, she faced her kidnapper – and future murderer.

She gave up, half of her body and her arms feeling the waves of the water. He was pushing her to the ground, grinning at her like the monster he was, the huge knife ready to take her child out.

She would die.

She would die here.

The insane man above her chuckled as he raised his arm to set the final blow.

misper - missing person