The cold fingers of the brisk breeze caressed her face, soothing, numbing, as she waited for what might never come. Every breaking twig, every falling leaf, every gentle breath was carried softly in the wind, echoing through her mind, keeping her alert and awake. There was no way she could sleep with this amount of adrenaline rushing through her. Memories were knocking cautiously at the door of her consciousness, begging to be let in. She pulled the tattered and dirty blanket around herself, clutching to the cross that was dangling around her neck, praying silently. The sharp corners of the metal dug into her hand, as the fear began seeping through her skin, deep into her bones.
Her heart was racing, her mind imagining the impossible. Fear was such a common part of her life she thought to herself, all she had to do was remember how to get rid of it. Looking forward over the mist of the water flowing lazily under the footbridge, she let the memories in. Before her eyes, images began to appear, shattered at first, with only an impression of its form. Minutes passed as she stared intently at the ghost of a memory that stood before her. Finally, it began to move. It looked down at its hands, stretching its fingers and arms out to their full extent. This was it, she thought. She had finally done it.
Standing before her was the image of a man. A man who was glowing with such intensity it was almost blinding. Just by looking at him, her heart rate slowed and she began to feel at peace. The image took a step closer, then another, until he was standing only a foot away from where she was huddled on the ground. He knelt down in front of her, his hand reaching out towards her pale face. She was exhausted, she could feel it now. All she wanted to do was fade away into an existence, his existence. He stopped suddenly, as if asking her permission to touch her face, with a slight nod, she granted it.
His hand was so warm, a warmth that she had not felt in a long time. Suddenly, the exhaustion overcame her, and no longer being afraid, she let herself slip away.
-Copyright Amy Girle 2011
