My breathe was short and heavy as I stumbled over the thick mud. My thin, weak legs were struggling to keep up with the speed I was forcing and wishing them to run. Fear was what willed them forward. My thighs burned and I could feel my heart racing within my chest. Was I dreaming ? Had I lost all sense of reality ?
The trees and wildlife I had earlier admired were now a blur. I could no longer see the many shapes and shadows that surrounded me, they were becoming intertwined with one other as I stared ahead hoping for an exit. The dark musky greens and browns of the trees, were hidden under the night sky. I may have felt distorted and confused, but I knew for certain I had to find an exit from the for saken forest I was lost within. I had to find help. I could see an opening, whether it was a way out or not I couldn't tell. But nevertheless I headed straight towards it. I clambered over a fallen tree and just as I felt I had finally reached safety I caught my foot, losing my balance. As I crashed to the leafy, jagged floor I reached out my hands to ease my fall, slicing and bruising the skin. I felt a sharp pain where I scraped my arm on fine branches. When I gazed up through fogged eyes I found to my dismay that the opening was nothing more than an empty space in the middle of the forest.
I turned over onto my back, terror shocking me into paralysis. It seemed as though I would never escape. I didn't dare imagine what was chasing me. It would be here soon, no doubt. Tears filled my eyes, and uncontrollably fell down my cheeks. I wasn't sure whether I should give up hope or not. Thats when I felt it. My heart was pounding inside me, an agonizing screech had deafened my ears. My heart was racing and a ferocious burning filled my chest like a hot iron pressed against delicate skin. I screamed out in pain as my back arched under the excrutiating fire that spread inside me. But it wasn't over. It began to flow into my arms and down into my legs. It felt like there was lava in my veins. The pain was almost unbearable, I couldn't move as my muscles had tightened. The pain would not extinguish it only grew stronger. It was then that I heard the crack of a twig, which may have been merely an animal but I was not in a position to stay and find out.
I forced my self onto my front and pushed my self up to my feet . I could hardly stand as I burned from the inside out. Perhaps I was dying. Is this what death feels like ? My body was crumbling back to the ground, but I struggled onwards. The burn was now creeping through my spine. I realised I couldn't make it much further. My legs were caving in and I could feel myself growing weaker with every second that passed. Could this really be it, was this my end ? I fell back into mud. I lay tired of fighting and allowed the pain take hold of me. I could feel the soft soil under me tickle my face before that too was on fire. I fought to keep my eyes open, watching a dark figure approach me. I struggled, forcing a plead for help to leave my lips. I could find no more strength left in my body, I had no choice but to close my eyes and allow the darkness to take hold of me.
