I ran as fast as my feet could take me. I ran so quickly and for so long that breathing became painful; I needed to rest, but if I did, I risked getting caught. I kept running, glancing back now and then to see how close he or it was. I couldn’t exactly define this horrible being.

There was nothing around, but I could smell this mysterious being nearby. I kept going, trying hard to maintain my fastest pace. I prayed; I prayed to God not to let me faint. I looked back again, and there he was. A humanlike entity, following me steadily in the deep darkness, I could only see his glowing eyes and his cunning smile.

Running out of strength and distraught, I searched for a place to hide, but I found none. I scanned the sky. I craved divine intervention; the response was only pitch-blackness hanging silently over me. Once more, I looked back; only a few large steps separated us. His sulfurous scent grew stronger, penetrating my nostrils and reaching my stomach. The feeling of throwing up took hold. I looked ahead, summoning my last remaining strength to speed up, but a hurdle appeared out of nowhere, a tree root as thick as a python, and I stumbled over it, falling on all fours. Helplessly, I fought to get up. I turned my body around, lying there, horrified, and saw him standing above me like a king. Intimidating, he bowed over me, his eyes burning with evil pleasure, and a wicked, upturned smile.

“You can’t escape from me,” he said, laughing aloud. “No matter what you do or how fast you run, I will always be on your heels. I am fear, and I am powerful. Taking over every thought and cell of yours.” He started shouting at me.

Trembling, I closed my eyes tightly. I prayed; I pleaded with all the power of my soul. “I am strong, I am strong, and it’s me who decides about my future, what I do, and when I do. I rule over myself!”

The voice of fear faded, and I opened my eyes again, standing firmly on my feet. Brightness and warmth surrounded me, and a wide road extended before me, and I began heading toward the sun.

©2026 Vasiliki Papadopoulou