17

The forest floor was a carpet of fallen leaves, dampened by the tears that streamed down my face. Each step into the heart of the woodland felt like a desperate escape, a plea to the wilderness to shelter me from the harsh reality that awaited beyond its borders.

The haunting melody of nocturnal creatures filled the air, their unseen presence offering a strange solace. My footsteps merged with the rustling leaves, a symphony of sorrow playing out in the secluded cathedral of nature.

As I ran deeper into the forest, the moonlight filtered through the thick canopy overhead, casting ethereal patterns on the forest floor. The world around me became a dreamlike tapestry, a surreal backdrop to the raw emotion that fueled my escape.

The sound of a distant stream reached my ears, and I followed its gentle song. The water glittered in the moonlight, a serene contrast to the turmoil within. I collapsed beside the stream, my breaths heaving, and allowed the cool breeze to carry away the weight o