Shadewood Dreams seem so real

Effie followed closely at his side as they slowly made their way towards the herd. Her heart beat fast in her chest as she watched the deer graze and waited for Rye's cue to begin. But the cue didn't come, instead she heard the crunching of twigs and winced. The sound was followed by the immediate thundering of the deer; the entire herd was startled into movement. Rye took off after them, and Effie followed, pushing the muscles of her legs to go faster than they ever had. She didn't know much about hunting, but she knew this was bad. They had lost their element of surprise, but she still hoped that they could catch up with the deer and take down their target. 

The doe stayed close to the herd, so even when they made up the distance lost, their plan would be difficult to execute. She hated the idea of Rye running into the stampeding herd; what if he got hurt, or worse? But what could they do now other than continue with the hunt. They had already put forth all this energy and planning, and she really wanted to have a decent meal—she was sure Rye felt the same way. She she raced forward, closing in on their prey and remaining behind her just as Rye had told her to do. 

She could feel her heart and lungs protesting the exertion, pain rippling from her chest out. But she ignored it, just as she ignored the screaming of her muscles. Her gaze flicked to Rye as the herd parted just enough for him to get in, and she waited for him to take the chance, keeping her distance behind the doe until she knew the moment was right.