It breaks from the smoke without warning.

Limbs jerking. Mouth open. Eyes wild.

The distance between us collapses in seconds.

My body knows before my mind does — brace.

The air tastes metallic.

If it reaches me, this run ends.

There is no time to interpret. Only to survive.

No point questioning.
No point pleading. It will not hear me.

It is coming.

It is running at me.