Ku Berlari Menuju Harapan Di Depanku Mga Nobela at Kwento

Sebastian I run until my lungs are burning, and then I hop the fence and run some more. I left Dez far behind, not because I don’t want his company, although maybe I don’t at the moment, but because he can’t keep up with me when I’m running like this. No one can. I’m not running toward anything or even away from anything--except for myself.

I can't stop, can't slow down. The air is sharp in my lungs. My breath comes in painful bursts. My feet slap onto the wet grass. Every step brings me closer to freedom. Nobody is around. I'm free. My feet move onto the concrete of the parking lot. I race through cars, hoping they'll hide my figure, and don't keep my eyes off the gate. Don't look back. Never look back. Don't trip. Stay focused. I fly past Aiden’s motorcycle—one of the last vehicles left. I don’t dare glance at it.

Without thinking, my legs pushed me into the confusing night, where the cold hit me hard like a slap. "Don't look back!" I didn't look back. I sprinted through the thick curtain of falling snow, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The chaos of snarls and gunshots faded behind me, and all that filled my mind was the heartbeat of fear urging me forward, unyielding. I didn't understand where I was going or what was truly happening. Still, I knew that running toward the shimmering glimmers ahead, toward whatever awaited me at the border, was my only hope of escape. I plunged through the night, knowing one thing above all else: I had to keep running, no matter what.

I kept running without looking back, hoping to get to the gate where the security guards were. But my speed was nowhere compared to that of my pursuer as he quickly caught up with me. Oh, no!

The forest tore past me as I dodged trees and leaped over roots, refusing to look back. My lungs burned. My legs ached. Still, I ran. And then—through the trees—I saw it. The school building. Light glimmered faintly in the distance. Hope surged through me like fire. I didn’t stop. I didn’t hesitate. I ran straight toward it, knowing one thing for certain— Whatever those creatures were… I wasn’t letting them take me tonight.

For the first time in months, I seemed to have found hope once again and I'd do anything to cling unto it. Soon, the light seemed so close and without further ado I ran straight towards it. The last thing I heard before I blacked out were the screams for me to stop but I didn't!

I could hear his voice shouting something, but I didn’t dare slow down to listen. I spotted a river up ahead, its water glinting in the dappled sunlight. Without thinking, I veered towards it, hoping the current would carry me away from him. The riverbank was steep, and I nearly lost my footing as I approached. Gathering all my strength, I leaped into the rushing water.

That’s not how I’ve made it this far, and that’s not how I’ll continue to be better. I have to stay focused on my goal. But as I run, I can't shake off the feeling that I'm running away from something more than just my past. Am I running away from my future, from the possibility of happiness with Jill?

I say, giving Isla a quick kiss on the cheek before turning around and hurrying away. "Take care," I hear her call after me. I feel my muscles weakening with each step I take. I am panting heavily, my heart beating at a dangerous pace, but I don’t give up as I continue running towards the border, determined to leave this place. The closer I get, the more hope floods through me, knowing we’ll soon be out.

“I’m coming. Just… hold on for me.” I pressed harder on the gas, chasing shadows, chasing hope, chasing him.