I didn’t know where exactly I was running away from, but I did know that I just needed to get away.

The trees and shrubs that make up this deeply wooded forest rush by me in a blur of lush green. Begging me to stop and catch my breath. Begging me to lie down in the welcoming branches of an overgrown fern and coerce me to sleep. To fall into that endless slumber that will help end all my pain.

But I kept going.

I don’t know why, but I did. I kept going for a long time. I didn’t know how much time had passed when I decided I had run far enough away from the danger and slowed my pace to a walk. I didn’t dare stop, I had to keep going, but there was no need to run anymore. While I don’t know what it is I was running from, I did know that I was far enough away from it that I could give myself a bit of a break by walking for a bit.

Dusk was settling in when I came across what seemed to be the ruins of a tunnel. Night was coming in fast, and I needed some place to sleep for the night. It would’ve been too dangerous to sleep out in the open. To fall on top of those bright green plants that my mother always told me to stay away from when I was younger. I walked into the cobblestone opening of the ruins and noticed a small light in the distance. It was a twinkling light. Very small, much smaller than it should’ve been, considering that this bridge shouldn’t even be that long. Every inch of my body told me to walk towards it. My mind kept telling me it was a bad idea, but something within me told me I had to, that something bad would happen to me if I didn’t keep walking.

So I walked.

As I got closer, the light slowly and slowly got bigger. The closer I got, the warmer the light felt. Not the kind of warm that comes on those summer evenings that would leave every surface sticky with moisture. It was the kind of warmth that comes with a fresh cup of tea or a warm, comforting hug. My mind was screaming at me to turn back, but I simply couldn’t find the energy to. I was tired. Tired of hiding, of fighting. I still couldn’t remember what I was running from, but I knew this wasn’t my first attempt at trying to escape. But this time feels different. I knew deep down that I succeeded, but not in the way that I hoped. 

The light grows bigger, it’s beautiful, warm glow welcoming me with its beams of light. Grazing my limbs as they gently guide me towards it. 

I was inches away from this gorgeous span of light when I felt myself heave a heavy breath. My first real breath in a long time. Relief flooded over me as I realized that I would never have to run away again. I don’t know what is on the other side, but I do know that nothing in there will ever hurt me and that they will provide me with the thing that I’ve always wanted most in the world. 

Peace.

There is something final about this light. I’m a step away from it now and know that if I take this last step, there is no turning back. But what is there to turn back to? I can’t remember what I was running from, other than the lingering feelings of pain and sorrow. No. I can’t turn back. Can’t go back. This is it. 

I take the last step.