Prologue
The tower clock strikes twelve, and she races through the forest. A voice deep within her whispers, “Run—keep running—run faster!” She feels fear slowly creeping up her spine, threatening to overwhelm her. Yet the voice in her head urges her to keep running. A piercing scream rings out, and the birds fall silent. There! A distant light! If only she can make it that far, she will be safe! She glances back in terror, only to spot dark, rapidly approaching figures right behind her. Suddenly, something whispers in her mind: “Look ahead!” But just as she turns her gaze forward, she feels a heavy blow to the pit of her stomach, and…
