A wild eyed dream

prompt: a wild eyed dream

The darkness clawed at her as she ran frantically, stumbling and tripping over tree roots and forest debris.
Panting heavily she stopped for a moment, leaning against the rough bark of an ancient oak trying to get her bearings. The trees all looked the same, familiar and foreboding. Where was the path?
She heard a twig snap behind her and fear strangled its way up her throat and set her feet  into motion once again. Branches reached out to snag her hair and nightgown as she scrambled up an embankment.
When she reached the top she could feel a warm liquid oozing at her feet, but she couldn't stop to figure out what it was. She had to find the path!
She stumbled forward thrashing through a sea of dead leaves and then finally the path appeared before her.  Sweat trickled down the small of her back as she willed herself forward.
Minute after agonizing minute she ran, hearing the crashing of footsteps following in the woods behind her. Finally, the forest opened up and the lake became visible, silver and shimmering in the moonlight.
With a cry of relief she began to wade into the crisp, cold water when suddenly she felt a hand clamp down hard on her shoulder.

She awoke with a cry, panting, covered in a cold sweat. Just a dream. A nightmare.
She tried to breath deeply and slow the rapid beating of her heart. Feeling an odd burning sensation in her feet,  she threw off the covers.
In the darkness she could smell the metallic tang of blood.  Her feet were cut and bleeding. A leaf was caught in the wild tangles of her dark hair and panic welled up within her again.
But it was just a dream she whispered in the darkness to herself. Just a dream.