Her breathing was ragged as she leaped over another fallen log, her counterpart mirroring her movements. They raced through the forest, willing themselves to outrun their pursuers.

“We’re not going to make it!” Her friend wheezed as they wheeled around a familiar mass of boulders.

“We’ll make it…” But she knew her friend was right. Incessant barking seeming to follow right on their heels, she calculated the rest of the way they had to go.

‘Too far. Too far. Not fast enough.’

As her thoughts raced as fast as her legs were carrying her, she heard a muffled scream and crash. She cursed the ground and whirled back around where her friend crashed to the floor.

“Go, Emi.” Her friend gasped.

“You’re stupid if you think that’s going to happen. Hide yourself and then run. Get away.” Emi gasped, out of breath.

“But-"

“I’ll divert them.” She stood up and charged back the way they came, the pursuers’ yells and growls coming ever closer.

“Emi!”