The moon slipped beneath the clouds, and darkness enveloped the wilderness like a quilt. A twig snapped under Shriya's feet, causing her to wince as the sharp end pierced her skin. Blood trickled down her foot, painting the foliage in streaks of red. The muscles in her body cramped, sharp pangs darting through her petite form like needles piercing her skin. She strained her eyes to see through the trees closing in on her, their monstrous shapes unsettling her.
That morning, she had embarked on the unfrequented trail with her hiking club. Halfway down the tree-lined path, she lost her way. Rather than contacting her group, she hoped to rediscover herself in the thicket.
"Connect with nature. You will heal sooner than expected.” She remembered her friend Priya’s words, who introduced her to the hiking club.
Droplets of water dripped from the swaying leaves and dampened her skin. It had rained the previous evening, the unexpected downpour quenching the city's thirst. She rubbed her palms together, the warmth comforting her fluttering nerves. The ground beneath her gave way without warning. She tumbled and twisted, her limbs flailing helplessly. Stones scraped through her skin, leaving a trail of blood. Her heart raced while her mind grappled with the unforeseen. The chaotic time stretched on, with every moment feeling clear and distinct. The hurt and pain intensified. Something rough struck her clammy palms, and she grasped it. The jagged ends tore through her skin, biting into her flesh. Blood welled up, a dull ache leaving her arm numb. A wind blew through her, searing her senses. The cold seeped into her bones, her teeth chattered, and goosebumps rose on her bruised skin. She clung to the anchor, her sole source of stability, a tear through her muscles ripping the fibers apart. A sharp sting pierced her palm, sending another wave of pain through her. She let go of the anchor and found herself floating in the air.
As she approached her final moments, her life flashed before her. The traumatic experiences emerged from the darkness, and she felt relieved at the thought of dying. Her firm had dismissed her without warning. Her stable relationship with her boyfriend had deteriorated. She felt drained and was hesitant to ask her parents for help. A bright light filled her as she remembered her parents. Floating midair, she reflected on her blessings. Her family and friends wouldn't let her spiral down a dark path. A smile flashed on her face as she fought against gravity. An unfamiliar feeling began to grow within her - a sudden desire to live. Her life wasn’t as bad as she thought.
She woke up, sweat lingering on her damp face. She ran her hand over her body, feeling every part of it. Was it a dream? She couldn't discern the difference; the edges were blurred, and the dream collided with reality.
"I'm alive," she whispered, a sense of gratefulness washing over her.