A snapping of a twig was all it took to make me freeze. I turned around frenetically searching for whoever or whatever was nearby, but I could hardly see in the sparseness of light. Almost immediately after, there was a sudden thunderous noise in the distance which instantaneously made me sprint off deeper into the woods - still urgently searching for the clearing.
Branches were hitting me in all directions like convicts reaching out beyond their bars. Trunks of trees seemed to press in on me from all sides threatening to bar my way. I was constantly praying to God under my breath for my safe arrival home but how could I possibly find my way? I was panting heavily and a sharp, piercing stitch in my stomach made me come to a stumbling, sweating halt.
I had come across the most beautiful lake and even in the darkness I could witness its radiance. I kneeled down, cupped my hands together and slowly and gratefully began to drink from the water. But it was then I saw it. A sudden image of my body lying vulnerably at the bottom of the lake which reminded me that I had to go, I had to get home.
With this I took off once again almost falling over some entangled roots. Suddenly a bird of some description flapped out of the branches which made my breath rasp at my throat. But valiantly I soldiered on, dodging between the mysterious trees. I could almost hear my heartbeat…thump...thump...thump, and was even more conscious of the rapid rhythm of my breath, which appeared to come up as clouds of smoke in the coldness of the night.
I heard a rustling in the bush I was approaching. I held my breath and swiftly swept passed. As I did so a long, unforeseen branch reached out across my chest and tore my clothes. I was not brave enough to look back and became even more determined to venture on. It was then I instinctively heard footsteps advancing towards me from behind. I turned my head round sharply and as I did so I sprawled over a mess of entangled roots. My body came down with a thud as a sudden rush and flow of pain through my body left me almost paralysed in pain. I couldn’t move but I needed to. I was simply a crippled heap lying in the middle of a wood. There was no one around, or was there? I closed my eyes tightly and began to pray, as I did I felt a cold breath on my shoulder and a hand which reached out and stroked my face. I screamed a loud, piercing scream, but I was never heard.
Ever again.
