I heard their heavy footsteps — they were close, and if I slowed down even for a second, they would catch me. The leaves under my feet crackled, branches snagged my clothes, but I couldn't stop.
The footsteps of my pursuers grew louder. I knew: if I slowed down even for a moment, it would all be over. The leaves rustled underfoot, branches whipped my face, but I couldn't allow myself to stop. Adrenaline surged through my body, filling every inch of me.
I had already covered quite a distance, but fatigue was starting to show. My muscles ached, my breathing was becoming heavy, but the thought that they could catch me at any moment wouldn't let me stop. I began to feel how hard it was to run, how my body was fighting gravity, but fear kept me going.
In the distance, a small clearing appeared. Instantly, I decided to hide there. But as I got closer, I realized it was too risky. The clearing was open, and they could easily spot me. I sharply turned right and jumped behind a large rock. The cover wasn't ideal, but in this situation, even a few seconds of respite could mean everything.
Silence filled the forest for a moment, but I knew they wouldn't let me get away so easily. Soon, their figures appeared from behind the rock. One of them, a tall guy with short black hair, muttered quietly:
— He was here, let's go!
I crouched behind the rock, holding my breath. My fingers slid over the cold stone, ready to push off if I needed to run again.
They didn't notice me, and I seized the moment. Rising to my knees, I quickly crawled under the low tree branches, aiming for the side of the forest where a thick shadow concealed several large trunks. There, the chances of being caught were lower.
My breathing sounded erratic in the silence, growing heavier, but I couldn't afford to relax.
I heard the steps split. One went left, the other right. It all happened too fast, and I realized I had a chance. They decided to search for me from two sides, which gave me the upper hand.
But then a new problem arose — there were three of them. The eldest one was too dangerous — clearly no rookie, and I couldn't afford to engage with him. They might have been at this for a while.
However, the youngest of them, although older than me, seemed less experienced. He stood still, not quite understanding what to do. He was exactly the one I could attack.
I carefully crept up to him through the bushes, trying to make no noise. He was still scanning for me, unaware that I was so close. I had to act fast, or one of his companions might return and spot me.
But before I lunged, I quickly pulled off the dark scarf from my neck and pulled it over my face, leaving only a narrow slit for my eyes. Then I pulled the hood lower, concealing my hair. Now, if any of them tried to recognize me, they would have a harder time.
My body was tense, like a string, ready to move. I knew this was a risky moment, but there was no other choice. He was the weakest of the three, and I could take him down faster than the older one if I acted decisively.
I jumped out from behind the bushes. A brief realization flickered in my eyes that I was only a few steps away from him. He suddenly noticed me — his eyes widened in surprise, and he managed to take a step back, but it was too late.
A moment of hesitation — and I couldn't stop now. My adrenaline was through the roof, and every cell in my body screamed to act right now.
I took advantage of his hesitation. Pushing him in the chest, I slammed him to the ground. He tried to break free, but my hands were already on his shoulders, and with each move, I tightened my grip. His breath became erratic, and for a moment, he froze, realizing he was trapped.
At that moment, a brilliant idea came to me: since they had decided to rob me, I'd rob them right back, without wasting any time.
With my fingers, I felt for his weapon, which was lying next to him. Shurikens and kunai were right in front of me, a bonus for acting quickly. I immediately grabbed a couple of shurikens, feeling their coldness in my hands. My glance briefly scanned the rest of the gear, and without hesitation, I took everything I could: several kunai and a couple more shurikens.
He continued to struggle, trying to push me away, but I was already one step ahead. For a brief moment, I released him to grab the weapons, but immediately tightened my grip on his shoulders again, not letting him escape. He screamed, but could do nothing — I was faster.
With one sharp movement, I pushed him aside, making him roll on the ground. He gasped, trying to recover, but I was already on the move.
A jump to the side, another, and I disappeared into the shadows of the trees.
Footsteps! A shout came from behind:
— He's here!
They saw me.
Branches whipped across my face, my clothes caught on the bushes, but I didn't stop. I heard them chasing after me. A light fear mixed with adrenaline, but now I had weapons.
I dived into the underbrush, crouching as low as possible. The pursuers were too close, I could hear them tearing through the branches, making their way through the forest.
But I knew: if I ran straight ahead, they would catch me.
I veered to the side and quickly threw one of the shurikens. Not at them — but at the nearest tree.
The dull thud of metal hitting the bark echoed in the silence, the sound reverberating through the forest.
— Over there! — a shout came from the other side.
They fell for it. Just as planned.
I darted off the main path and into the thick brush. Crawling backward, crouched, I began moving between the roots, trying not to touch any branches.
While they ran toward the sound, I gained a few precious seconds.
The trees ahead began to thin, opening a narrow trail.
But stepping onto it would be too dangerous.
I looked around and noticed the low branches of a large oak.
Without hesitation, I jumped up, grabbing a sturdy branch. My muscles screamed from the tension, but I knew this was my only chance. Quickly pulling myself up, I climbed higher, then higher still, until I was hidden in the thick leaves.
I froze.
— Where is he?!
— I don't know! He was here!
Below, I saw their shadows. They were searching for me, but looking only at the ground. No one thought to look up.
I held my breath.
One of them kicked a bush, swearing irritably.
— He couldn't have disappeared. Let's check further!
— Right, let's go!
I watched as they moved away, their voices gradually fading among the trees.
Only when the silence once again enveloped the forest did I allow myself to breathe out. Staying here was dangerous, but now I had time to descend and leave unnoticed.
The escape was a success.