It was so dark I could barely see. All I knew was that I had to run, to escape that horrible place.
    The place that took away my future, friends, and family.
    So dark and so quiet.
    So soon again I was...

    ...alone.
   
    Gentle pine needles licked my face and soft leaves slicked by me as I ran aimlessly into pure nothingness. I didn't know where I was going, but where ever it was, I only hoped to finally be safe. To have finally escaped those criminals.
    My pink jacket so tenderly wrapped around me made me feel warm inside, but still like an easy target.
    I knew I had to shed it soon, or it's neon brightness would be a quick catch among the dark, baige forest choking me in its coldness.
    I plucked the thermometer from my mouth and waved it in the air.
    27°F.
    My mouth was growing dry and cold air stung the back of my throat. But if I stopped for a single second, the spotlights would catch me, I knew it.
    So I kept running faster and faster, freeing myself from the pink jacket in attempt to hide myself, but it only made the temperatures even more unbearable, so I took a double take and looped around to desperately search for my only sense of security. I unraveled my black, shiny pigtails to surround myself in any warmth they could provide.
    Bare arms rushing.
    Cold air pushing.
    I finally hit something.
    I know it's solid wood, but it somehow feels... soft.
    This is where I collapse onto a crinkly cushion of leaves and feel a final shiver run through me before a blinding light rushes into view.