It had started with a dream, a recurring nightmare that had plagued her for weeks. In the dream, she was running, her feet pounding against the earth as she fled from something unseen. She couldn't see her pursuer, but she could feel its breath on the back of her neck, cold and rank.
As she walked, the path began to twist and turn, leading her deeper into the heart of the woods. Emma heard strange noises - the snapping of twigs, the hooting of owls - and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being stalked.
Emma's mind reeled as she tried to process what was happening. Who was this figure, and what did it want from her? She took a step back, her heart racing, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot.
She took a deep breath, and stepped forward.