It was always the case in the movies, and she knew it. The female, thinking like the stupid idiot she was, never took the made it, no matter how hard she ran. Though she told herself to calm down, think rationally, and reminded herself that nothing was going to happen, she still could not shake off the feeling that she was being watched, even pursued. Her feet flew across the pavement, faster and faster, covering ground toward her car as quickly as she could manage, but it wasn't fast enough.<br/><br/>Finally, panting so hard it hurt, legs shaking from the exertion, she forced herself to stop and breathe. A large tree stood very close to the trail and she leaned against it, struggling to catch her breath. The night was becoming cold, and she'd dressed in the slim athletic clothing she preferred, which did nothing to cover her skin or insulate what it did cover. She was sweaty, cold, and shivering with nerves.<br/><br/>"Okay, idiot..." she told herself aloud, speaking in a soft voice between breaths, "Just because... its dark... doesn't mean you're... being chased... by a monster. Stop watching so many... stupid horror movies."<br/><br/>With that, she gulped and bent forward to stretch her legs, trying to relieve the cramping in her muscles. Wrapping her long fingers around her own ankles, she locked her knees straight and pulled with her arms. Ponytail dangling so low it brushed the dirt, she groaned slightly, holding the position for as long as she could before finally straightening. Kicking each foot back in turn, she caught hold of it, and pulled upward as high as she could manage.<br/><br/>"There. Much better. See? Nothing to it. Now keep running."<br/><br/>She did just that, pushing off the tree to set down the path again, her pace a gentle jog now.