Sharing Scenes

Here's a shortened version of the first chapter in my novella, Dawn. After this it flashes back to the past, and what happened before these events.
*****

My breath came hard and fast, and I wiped the sweat from my eyes as I stumbled through the forest. My dress caught on bushes and thorns, and often my foot slipped on a patch of muddy ground. I wanted to give up, but fear gripped my heart, screaming at me to run. Run. Run from the danger. My legs burned and I could barely breath.

Finally, I stopped, leaning against a tree for support as I listened for any sign of my pursuers. But for my ragged breathing, the woods were silent. Nothing stirred, not a bird, not an animal, not even a breath of wind swayed the tops of the trees.

My hand went to the satchel at my side and reached inside to feel the cold hard object within. It was safe, and for the moment, so was I. I allowed my tense muscles to relax, and I attempted to bring my breathing under control. My feet ached, a stitch was forming in my side, and the bandage on my forearm was once again stained with blood. I was tired.

I was tired of fighting, tired of always looking over my shoulder, never knowing whom to trust. I wanted to give in, to relinquish myself to my enemies, to surrender my will and be at rest. But it wouldn't be rest, I reminded myself. It would be capture, imprisonment, exile, or most likely, execution.

These thoughts swirled through my head as I surveyed the forest around me. Each direction looked the same, every way I turned dark trees loomed before me, closing me in. My mind whirled, and I forced myself to think clearly.

A growl sounded in the bushes behind me. My heart raced and I forced myself to turn slowly as I drew from my belt a long knife. Twigs snapped and crunched. I tensed, waiting. A creature emerged from the trees. It was lean, flecked with grey and white, with yellow eyes and dagger-like teeth. Foam and blood dripped from the corners of its mouth. It was a wolf.

It eyed me hungrily, growling low and menacing. My first instinct was to flee, but it would be a fruitless effort. This beast was stronger, faster, and I was wounded. If I ran, it would be my sure death. I raised my knife before me and pointed it a the wolf. It growled again and crouched, tensing its muscles. The blade in my hand quivered. My sanity slipped away, and I screamed. The beast lunged.

Yes you missed two actually. Third and seventh paragraph on this blog. Auugh! Can't you use those realities to speed up the summer so it will be August sooner?!?!?! I can't wait. This one sounds really interesting. But wait...if I skipped summer there would be no exploring, hiking, camping, swimming, games, sports, garage sales, bike rides, woods to walk through, flea markets, gun shows, 4th of July, MY BIRTHDAY!!! *sigh* OK, I guess you don't have to.

That'd be really good! If you let me know when you could, I could give you my parents e-mail if they say yes. If not, I'm sure my brother would let me use his. Thanks!