Different sort of 'fleeing' I experienced once.
Crossed a creek to other side, about 300m away. Stayed there awhile, then decided to swim back. This was a tidal creek heading towards the sea.
I realised whilst swimming, that tide had turned, & was swiftly heading towards creek 'mouth' & ocean!
Started swimming very rapidly, but NOT panicking, as I knew my excellent swimming strength, using breastroke, least tiring of all strokes, & got back to other side, about 30m from the mouth. Got out, had a chat to a couple of snorkellers', then headed back to where my friends' were. They had wondered where I was!
It was harder to walk on the sand than the swimming I'd just done! I probably had moved 'downstream', about 200m from where I started.
As I passed the Life Savers' lookout, one of them said they'd been watching me the whole time! Very pleased about that!
It's a situation I've not repeated, nor EVER want to!