Misplaced

   "Run!"

   The creature loomed above her, taller than a human, outlined black against the light from the fire.  They had thought the campfire would provide protection against animals, but they hadn't expected anything as big as this.  

   Close by David crouched over Becky, trying to rouse her.  There was blood on the ground beside her and she wasn't moving.  Everyone else was fleeing as fast as possible, apart from two or three who were standing at a safe distance, watching and calling to her and David.

   Ruth looked up at the creature.  She wasn't sure if it knew she was there, half hidden as she was behind a rock, but she didn't dare move in case it noticed her.  

   "Come on!" Nick called.  "Run!"  The creature had begun to advance, its indistinct shape moving stealthily towards her.  Slowly she tried to draw her feet under her, ready to start running.  She had never been much of an athlete, and she didn't think she could outrun the creature, but she couldn't just stay here.  

   She stumbled up and into a shambling run, just as the creature's paw swept down.  A claw scraped down her arm and side, but she kept running.  Nick and the others had turned to run too, as the creature took a few steps after her before seeming to loose interest as it sensed an easier target.  

   Ruth heard a scream, and looked back to see the creature bend its head to the hollow where David had been with Becky.  Then the scream stopped.  Ruth turned and ran after the others, struggling to catch up but they all seemed so far ahead.  She seemed to be dropping further and further behind and the pain from the wound inflicted by the creature's claw was increasing.  She wasn't sure which direction she was heading in any more. Dimly she head the creature roaring behind her, and in terror she quickened her pace, using her last strength.  Then, dizzy with pain and fear, she tripped over a tree root and fell...

   Ruth woke up suddenly.  She opened her eyes and sat up.  The first light of dawn was peeping over the horizon, and the fire had sunk down low.  She looked around at the others.  There were David and Becky, lying close to one another, breathing gently and regularly.  There was Nick on the other side of the fire, there were all the others, lying here and there around the fire.  There was no blood to be seen, no wounds, and no giant monster with huge white teeth.  All was calm and quiet.  It had just been a dream.

   Or had it?

The story begins here...