The Fracture

Elvira’s POV

I was running.

Faster than I ever had in my life — but it wasn’t enough. My feet pounded the ground, bare and stinging, roots grabbing at my ankles as if the forest itself wanted to slow me down. My breath burned in my chest. The air felt thick, like I was choking on it.

I didn’t dare look back. I could hear them, my brothers. Their voices screaming my name.

“Elvira!”

“Elvira, stop!”

I ran harder, legs aching, lungs screaming.

But no matter how fast I went, they kept getting closer.

I stumbled, falling to my knees. The ground felt wet and cold. My hands...