Elodie could hear the [i]thing[/i] coming after her as she ran.

It let out a terrifying screech, its metallic parts screaming as it began to pursue Elodie. She risked a glance backwards-there was [i]no way[/i] that she would be able to outrun this creature. [i]Maybe if I can get near the edge of the forest, and back to town...[/i] she thought desperately, trying to force her aching legs into running faster. 

Elodie could physically [i]feel[/i] the thing-slash-creature-slash-alien catching up to her. The ground was literally shaking underneath her feet as she fled. [i]It's getting closer, it's getting closer, oh god oh god oh god oh god...[/i]

Then-Elodie fell. She lost her footing and tumbled head-over-heels over the ground, carried by her own momentum. She screamed in surprise and fear, and oh [i]god[/i], she could see the [i]thing[/i], it was practically on top of her, oh [i]god[/i]...

The creature advanced, its dagger-like teeth in full display and the other blades attached to its body flashing in the moonlight. Elodie whimpered as it got even closer, turning away from the monstrous sight. And then-

-what the hell? Was she [i]falling[/i]?

Elodie quickly realized that she was tumbling backwards down a steep hill. Pain shot through her body as she fell down the gravelly slope. She felt a sharp sting in her right palm; she must have cut it on one of the rocks. When Elodie finally slid to a halt, she found herself in the middle of yet another crater. She winced as she sat up. Everything hurt. 

Elodie looked around, frowning. She could still hear the creature-alien-thing, but it hadn't followed her down into the crater just yet. There was a small creek flowing through the area, and she noticed some sort of metal object resting inside the shallow water. It appeared to be made of metal. Elodie inched warily towards the strange object, her muscles tense.