The moon hung low in the night sky, casting an eerie glow over the desolate road. Sarah's heart pounded in her chest as she pressed the gas pedal of her old sedan to the floor. Her strappy high-heeled sandals pinned it down, the red polish on her toenails gleaming through the sheer nylons. Her breath came in ragged gasps, each one a desperate plea for speed.

Behind her, a hulking shadow moved with unnatural grace, its eyes glowing like embers. The monster's roar echoed through the night, a chilling reminder of the danger that lurked ever closer. Sarah dared not look back; she knew the beast was gaining on her.

The car's engine sputtered, a cough that sent a jolt of fear through her. "No, no, no," she whispered, pumping the pedal frantically. The sedan lurched forward, but the sputtering grew worse. The dashboard lights flickered before the engine died entirely, leaving Sarah in stunned silence.

"Please," she begged, turning the key. The engine cranked but refused to catch. She pumped the gas pedal, her foot moving with frantic precision. "Come on, come on, start!"

The monster's guttural growl grew louder, closer. Sarah could almost feel its hot breath on her neck. Panic set in as she continued to pump the pedal and turn the key. The engine sputtered again but didn't start.

"Start, you piece of shit!" she screamed, slamming her foot down on the pedal with all her might. The engine roared to life for a moment, then died again. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, "Please, please start!" She pumped the pedal, turned the key, and pumped again, her movements growing more frantic with each passing second.

In the rearview mirror, the monster's eyes gleamed, its form a hulking mass of terror. Sarah's sobs turned to desperate cries as she stomped on the gas pedal. "Start! Right fucking now!"

With a final, pleading cry, she turned the key one last time, her foot pumping the pedal wildly. The engine sputtered, coughed, and then roared to life. Relief washed over her as she slammed the car into drive and pinned the gas pedal to the floor.

The tires screeched as the sedan leaped forward, the monster's claws swiping through the air just inches from the rear bumper. The beast let out a roar of frustration as Sarah sped down the desolate road, her heart still racing. She didn't dare look back. She couldn't afford to. She focused on the road ahead, her mind on one thing only: escape.