My breath came in ragged gasps, my body protesting as I pushed it harder. Desperation clouded my thoughts, but I forced myself to focus. I needed to hide and think of a way out.
I spotted a huge tree up ahead, its trunk wide enough to shield me for a moment. I darted behind it, pressing my back against the rough bark, trying to slow my breathing. My pulse pounded in my ears. I needed to plan my next move, but my mind was scattered, panic edging in.
Then I heard it—the faint rustle of leaves nearby. Tyler was close. Too close.
I barely had time to react before he rounded the tree, his eyes locking onto me with predatory precision. With a furious growl, he grabbed me by the arm and hurled me to the ground like I weighed nothing.
The impact knocked the wind out of me, my body hitting the earth hard. Pain radiated through my side, but I forced myself up, refusing to stay down. I staggered to my feet, my vision spinning, but I couldn’t afford to be weak now.
Tyler came at me again, and I fought back with everything I had. I landed a kick to his side, followed by a sharp jab to his jaw, but it barely slowed him down. He was relentless, and his anger drove him forward with terrifying force.
His fist collided with my gut, and the world tilted. White-hot pain exploded in my abdomen, and I doubled over, gasping for air. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. My body screamed in agony as I crumpled to the ground, clutching my stomach.
I couldn’t lose here. My baby!
But as my vision darkened and the world around me started to spin, I felt myself slipping, powerless to stop it.
