Several creatures slowly went toward the platform and began to shine lights on it. The platform was destroyed, and Ruth heard her name being broadcast. She thought she heard something about how ‘that woman’ had tried to kill one of the new creatures without provocation. The most Ruth had ever done was throw a boot at one of the creatures. She realized they wanted her to be the villain. If everyone believed she was the bad guy, they would turn her in. She knew that she had to find some place to rest and read. She wished she had someone to run toward. The daylight was slowly starting to fade, and she needed to find a spot to hide and read. Deeper and deeper she pushed into the woods. At one point she had stopped, assuming her inky hunters far behind. Whistles nearby spooked her, and she began to run again. She knew that this book somehow contained knowledge far beyond what she could grasp. However, if she studied it for awhile, perhaps the components would align. As she breathed in heavy gasps, she concentrated on escaping.
