The sound of panting.
As if the ears had been covered, yet through the resonance of the skull, she could hear the labored breathing clearly with every effort.
And the sound of a heartbeat.
It was dark all around, uncertain if it was dawn or dusk.
She was running, occasionally glancing back, her expression was panicked.
Barefoot, yet the ground was not soft, lacking in lush green grass, it was a dirt path, uneven at that.
She looked back again, as if something terrifying was chasing her.
Later, she fell to the ground but immediately got back up. She ignored her injured knee, continuing to run amidst the sounds of her labored breathing.
Finally, she seemed to crash into something, soft, warm, gentle.
"Don't be afraid, Caroline."
"Daddy, the dog... the fierce dog... chased me..."
"Don't be afraid, Caroline, I'm here."
I'm here. I'm here.
I'm here...
I...
...
A sharp inhale.
