• A dark figure flitted across the valley. It paused and seemed to stoop down for a moment, only to rise up immediately and disappear into the shadows once again. I stood under a large overbearing lampost, and my shadow danced wickedly in the firelight. It grew and shrank as i moved back and forth, entranced by its jerky movements. A rat flew out from beneath a tree and i jerked back to reality. I cocked my gun and stepped out of the light, into the cover of darkness.

    I watched the creature 'til the moon had left the sky and the sun was preparing to return to his kingdom. Over the hours, it simply scurried back and forth, stopping here and there to pick up some unknown item. After an hour or so, his repeated movements grew hypnotic and i found my eyes drooping, and i fought to keep them open.

    The sun made his grand entrance, and i knew that was my moment. The figure turned its head up to the sky, before racing back to the still dark forests. I leaped up and started to race as fast as i could after the figure, not eager to let him out of my sight, lest i lose him in that great crowd of trees. I made every effort to make my footsteps light and soundless and hoped against hope that the man i was after would not hear my pounding feet.

    Damn. The figure suddenly picked up speed and i knew that he knew i was there, chasing him. I pumped my legs harder, harder and tried to keep up with him, but it was impossible. I slowed to a jog, then stopped, my hands on my knees, bent over and panting loudly. I'd lost him. That elusive herbalist, one day i will have you.