Bare tree limbs tore at her tan flesh as she ran through the woods as quickly as she could with her feet hitting the moss covered path. The tiny scratches and cuts they left behind marring her otherwise flawless skin.She could hear them following her their steps heavier then her own making them slower and less nimble in the densest parts of these woods. The woods she knew so well, that she had spent hours exploring until every twig and weed that grew she knew their place.<br/><br/>As she ran she felt something snag the white lace of her gown stopping her in her tracks.” No no please..” She whispered under her breath before she yanked hard and tore the fabric away leaving a scrap behind. She turned back on her bare pads of her feet and ran towards the clearing. She knew that couldn't follow her out of the safety of the trees because of the protection spell from centuries ago that kept these creatures away from the town and out of sight of the humans... normally.<br/><br/>She hurried through the trees and brush knowing she had only a few more feet until safety but it felt like it was miles away. Managing to get one foot across the treeline before she felt the sensation of something grasping her by the hair and pulling her back with such force she fell to the ground on her backside. “NO NO” She screamed as her hands reached out towards the green grass of the meadow in front of the woods. Quickly she pulled her arms back as the darkness washed across her up towards her chest. Moving to her knees she scrambled crawling out past the trees making the black shadows recoil as if it had hit a pane of glass.<br/><br/>Without a word she watched for a moment to be sure it could not follow her before she rose to her feet once more and ran towards the safety of the nearest tavern. She pushed open the door of the dragon's head quickly before she stumbled in. Her arms bloodied from the small cuts as she fell to her knees panting for breath in the doorway. “Please.. I need shelter.” Lifting her face looking for someone in the inn to take pity and offer her protection.(d)