Only the echo of the cricket's melancholy song could be heard above her own heart's pounding. She urged herself faster. Even at the risk of stumbling along the path. Overhead the trees' branches seemed to come to life, bowing to a taunting breeze. They jealously guarded the darkness, allowing only a few flitting patches of moonlight through their canopy. This half light only served to deepen the ever present blackness, cruelly exposing fleeting illusions of menacing shape. Her steps quickened again to meet the pace of her hurried breathing.
If only she could quiet her thoughts. She imagined many fates that could befall her, none of which were remotely probable, all of which seemed imminently possible. Then she thought of turning back. But being midway between her journey's start and finish, this idea offered little benefit. Go on she must - so go on she did.... running!!!
This night her shortcut through the wood turned out to be the long way home....