GENRE: YA urban fantasy
He raced under the black sky and the silver beacons that adorned it, his heart beating in time with his feet as he bolted through the narrow streets and alleyways. Sweat dampened the clothes that clung to his skin. His increasing body heat repelled the bone-chilling winds that whipped around him. His breaths were getting shorter. He was sure he’d collapse. How much longer could he run?
Each dreadful tread of his pursuer rang through his ears and brought a pang of fear. The moan of the vile creature, the way it reverberated through the night, sent a chill down his spine. It wouldn’t be long now, until the monster caught him.
That girl, he reminded himself as he cut a sharp corner, fear tearing through his gut. Who is she? I have to find her; I refuse to become a Lament!
He stopped, staring wide-eyed at his fatal mistake. The high-rising wall of the dead-end stood, unmovable, in his path. Never had such a collection of bricks terrified him so. He heard the flat feet of his nearby pursuer step into a puddle as it slowed in its chase, realizing now that its prey was just within reach.
Its moan rang out once more and color drained from his face. His hazel eyes swelled with tears. He looked to the ground where, near his feet, the shadow of the creature grew larger as it neared. Its unbearable stench gagged him and brought a sting to his eyes.