Grove 0: The Chase

Tina Murphy stops to catch her breath
In the shadows of a filthy city alley.

Rain runs down the walls,
Carrying oil,
Blood,
And everything else
Central City leaves behind.

She presses herself against the bricks,
Listening.
Nothing.
For a moment.
Then,
Bzzzzzzzz.

Her eyes widen.
No.
Not again.
She has been running
For nearly an hour.

Always the same sound.
Always getting closer.
A mechanical hum,
A faint metallic whine,
The unmistakable sound
Of something hunting.

She looks behind her.
The alley is empty.
Then a shadow moves
Across the wall.
Tina recoils.

“It found me.”

Her breath catches.

“Run.”