My ears seem to hear only the thumping of my heart, which sends me into a panic. The footsteps! I have to listen to the footsteps! My distress only causes my heart to beat harder and faster. It taunts me, my own heart the cause of such terror. The frustration nearly causes me to cry out. I look down each corridor frantically. What did I do wrong?And then there is an off-step in my heart. An extra beat, it seems at first, but then my ears manage to discern the sound from another source. One … I say in my head, my heart slowing and the heat in my blood slowly cooling. Two … I close my eyes, preparing myself to spring with the final sound. I hesitate in between when I remember the inner conflict. Maybe it was actually four. What if I’m wrong? But it seems that my heart can’t wait any longer. It has me taking off toward the hallway ahead, slightly to my left. As I run I manage a glance to my right, where the shadow of the guard plays upon the opposite wall as he makes his final steps into the hallway.
