A/N: This is what you get when you have the dreaded writer's block, an absent muse, and no sleep. I figured I'd upload it, though, so I can go back and read it when I'm more... awake. Enjoy. :3

She was running so hard that every breath felt as if it could be her last. Even if that were true, however, Jamie Rae Logan had managed to live this long. The constant pain in her lungs reminded her of that as she tore through the night, fear as evident as the sweat that beaded her brow. If she had been given the time to think about it, Jamie would have decided that death by running was a much better fate than the other she was faced with. Unfortunately, there was no time to think. There was only time to run.

The forest seemed endless as it stretched in front of, behind, and all around her. Every tree looked like a textured tower, stretching towards the night sky magnificently while still looking down upon her. The trees were no help. They were not going to save Jamie from the monster that was, unbeknownst to her, very quickly catching up.

The stars did nothing to help either. The forest was positively deprived of light. She felt blind, stumbling away from a foe she hadn't even seen in quite some time. In fact, there were no longer thundering footsteps charging behind her. All Jamie could hear was the irregular, though particularly violent pounding of her own heart as the blood seemed to 'whoosh' past her ears.

Just when she thought it'd be impossible to run anymore, a clearing seemed to appear out of nowhere. It was as if the trees had parted against their will, divided like the Red Sea. Had she simply been lost in the woods (Jamie was, in fact, quite lost), the sight would have eased some of the panic from her weary body. However, when you were on the run from a monster, the last thing you wanted was to be out in the open.

Jamie dug her feet into the ground, coming to a halting stop as her body tried to adjust to the sudden change. Her dark brown hair was less unruly than usual, clinging to her body and the damp tank she wore. Her eyes, almost black in the night, searched around wildly for a place to hide. Along with her fear coursed a thick stream of anger. If she had come this far simply to be caught, Jamie felt her entire existence had been wasted. Just the idea seemed too cruel to stew on for too long.

Then came a crack, like sticks beneath shoes.

Though the sound seemed to echo all around her, Jamie knew it was coming from directly behind. If she moved, the monster would know exactly where she was -- if it didn't already. Consequently, if she stayed frozen, it would only be a matter of time before she was caught.

"Jaaamie," the monster called.

That was all it took for her to start running again.

Her feet were moving faster than ever, carrying her through the clearing at what seemed like impossible speeds. But the sudden strain on her lungs was too much, and Jamie began to stagger nearly halfway across from the pains that bolted through her chest. She didn't have enough energy to react to the pain. She could only keep going, running off of sheer adrenaline.

By the time she finally reached the other side of the passing, Jamie's breaths were coming out in little strangled gasps that carried through the disturbingly quiet forest. If the monster hadn't already known where she was, it definitely knew now.

"Jaaamie."

It sounded as if the voice was already a third of the way across the clearing. Jamie felt her knees buckle as she heavily dropped to the forested floor, facedown. The leaves made a comfortable nest, but assorted twigs were cutting deep into the skin of her legs.

Jamie moaned softly, trying to lift herself up. She couldn't stop. She had spent her entire life learning that winners never quit. And if they did quit, or did anything else that wasn't acceptable, they were taught a lesson. Her father's "lessons" -- in the forms of bruises, cuts, and the occasional hospital visit -- haunted her as dizziness began to sink in.

Only mere seconds passed before Jamie could hear the soft footsteps of her pursuer. Ten feet away. Five feet. Three feet.

"You actually thought you could leave me. And through the forest, of all places."

Jamie moaned again, softer this time, burying her hands into the earth as she tried to lift herself from the ground. But it was no use. She just didn't have any energy left.

Instead of bothering to try again, Jamie used the last of her power to roll over onto her back. It was a lot more comfortable, and if things were going to end the way she assumed they would, she would never be comfortable again.

He stood with the trees, another giant in the night. Except, this giant had piercing blue eyes, ones that stared down at his daughter with a disturbing mixture of anger and disdain; and, strangely enough, affection. Jamie, looking positively pathetic on the forest floor, licked at her dry lips, as her unnatural breaths became quieter.

Neither said a word as he pulled out his gun, its glistening metal concealing the bullets Jamie knew would seal her fate. However, as he aimed the muzzle towards his daughter, the monster seemed to hesitate. For once that night, Jamie found the time to laugh. It started low, but quickly picked up in pitch and intensity as she breathed out her final words. "Winners never quit, Dad."

And without another moment's thought, he pulled the trigger.