Ice Age of The Mind ❄️

Lost in The Woods

As I walk through the dense forest, I can't help but feel a sense of unease. The trees tower above me, their branches reaching out like gnarled fingers, and the rustling of leaves sounds like whispers in the wind. I try to shake off the feeling of being watched, but it persists, making my skin crawl.

Just as I'm about to turn back, I hear a faint sound in the distance. It's the sound of someone crying. I follow the sound, my heart beating faster with each step. As I get closer, I see a young girl sitting on the ground, her face buried in her hands.

"Are you okay?" I ask, approaching her cautiously.

She looks up at me with tear-streaked cheeks and nods, but doesn't say anything.

"Can I help you with anything?" I ask, hoping to ease her distress.

She hesitates for a moment before speaking. "I'm lost," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was hiking with my family, and we got separated. I don't know where they are."

I feel a pang of sympathy for her. I know what it's like to feel lost and alone in the wilderness. "Don't worry," I say, trying to sound reassuring. "I'll help you find them. What's your name?"

She doesn't say, but still I introduce myself. We set out together, calling out for her family and following any signs we can find. I can't help but be impressed by her resilience and bravery.

Hours pass, and the sun begins to set. Just as I'm about to suggest we make camp for the night, we hear a faint shout in the distance. We rush towards the sound, and soon we see a woman waving frantically at us.

"There you are!" a woman cries out, running towards her daughter. "We've been so worried about you!"

I'm hit with a wave of despair and confusion as the little girl disappears and the woman, my mother, hugs me. But this wasn't the version of my mother I truly know, it's the one I created to cope.

I am feeling a sense of hope and optimism for the first time in a long time. Maybe I'm not as lost as I thought I was. Maybe there's a path for me to follow, and maybe I can help others find their way too.