the forest swallows her footsteps, but not her scent. not her emotions. jasper moves through the trees like smoke. soundless, shapeless, patient. the moon carved silver lines through the canopy of trees. casting shifting shadows across the forest floor, but really… he didn't need light to follow her. every ragged breath, every heartbeat, every flinch against a branch – she might as well have been screaming out to him.
❝ you're quick, ❞ he calls out softly, from somewhere behind her. or was it to her left ? his voice drifted, smooth as silk, and as low as the thunder babbling on the horizon. ❝ but not quick enough. ❞ a pause, listening for her breath. he smiles. ❝ funny, how you keep runnin' like y've got somewhere to go . like there's a way out of this. ❞ he appears, just ahead of her this time. leaning casually against a tree trunk. arms folded, eyes gleaming with something unreadable.
❝ you should know by now, ❞ he drawled, accent thick. ❝ i don't chase what i don't mean to catch. ❞ for a moment, he let silence fall between them. just the wind, the trees, and the space shrinking between predator and prey. ❝ i could end it now. real easy, ❞ he murmurs, taking a step forward. leg dragging awkwardly behind him. ❝ but where's the fun in that ? ❞ smile widens, sharp and slow. ❝ run again , darlin' … make me work for it. ❞