5

Running, running, running

I ran out of the room in time to see Aurel leave through the main dorm exit, leading to the grass and forest.
I ran after her but, I noticed as I clutched the door catching my breath, she was nowhere to be seen.
She couldn't be anywhere else but in the forest, every part of the grassy land surrounding the dorms was viewable and she wasn't there.
Without stopping to consider the dangers of going into the forest alone, I ran straight in, following the flattened grass path where somebody had clearly frequented.
I ran, with no sign of Aurel I had no choice but continue, I had to find her. My lungs were bursting and a stitch was ripping my torso apart but I kept running. Sweat was dripping into my eyes and blinding me. I had no idea why I was still running but in a strange sense, I felt free. There was no room to miss my mum or worry about school, all I could focus on was the pain as my feet blindly carried me forward, stumbling over loose roots and rocks.  I felt myself flying through the air as my foot inevitably got stuck under a root and sent me sprawling forward.
I lay there as I attempted to catch my breath and watched an ant carry a leaf past my face. It was when the ant had travelled the length of from my chin to my forehead I slowly pushed myself up to my feet and looked around.
To my right was a small pond, being fed by a stream that led down from the hill rising up at the edge of the forest.  It was a deep green, reflecting the leafy roof that the trees provided. It was surrounded by small rocks and logs, perfect to sit on and watch the scenery. Now that the sound of my harsh breathing and the pounding of my heart had faded away, I could hear the bubbling of the stream rushing into the pond, it was such a relaxing sound. I found myself moving towards the pond and collapsing onto a log, resting my weary legs. I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of the stream, completely forgetting my objective.
I was brought back with a jolt as someone stepped on a twig behind me. My self defence mechanism went into overdrive as I launched myself off the log. Unfortunately, I dove too hard and stumbled backwards, losing my footing. I knew the pond was getting closer and shut my eyes bracing myself for the cold embrace of the water. But it never came.
Instead I found myself in the firm grip of someones arms. Scared, I opened my eyes slowly to reveal the inhumanly beautiful face of Aurel Laurence.