There’s no doubt in her mind that as bad as things look now, they’re undoubtedly going to get far, far worse.  Her mind races, going over her options, but every one of them is hopeless, and she knows it.  She couldn’t run, the tigress would just chase her down, and would eventually catch her.  Even trying to use the trees to slow her down wouldn’t work, not with as well as Tamara had been moving through them.  Fighting the massive feline is<span style="font-style: italic">entirely</span>out of the question.<br/><br/>Not that it really matters one way or the other.  She may as well be putting down roots, for all she’s moving.  Even though running would be as futile a course of action as anything else, at least it would give her a little more time.  She<span style="font-style: italic">can’t</span>run, though.  She’s trying, but her legs just aren’t responding.  The rat barely even manages to take a step back away from the approaching tigress.  Her eyes are wide and her ears are laid back, but Monique is practically immobilized with terror.