Suriving the Storm

The chattering in the halls was deafening, yet words could not be made out. The overlapping of eager and excited conversations echoed within the walls of concrete facility and in the chamber of her brain. Dull eyes barely functioned as monotonous reflexes carried her down the ever-familiar path, headed toward the same old place at exactly the same time each day.

The waves of the deep blue ocean lapped at the raft, as she squinted her eyes at the glaring sun. She couldn’t survive much longer. She could see the storm clouds in the distance.

Suddenly, she burst out into the cool, clean, winter air. Breaths escaped with visible delight in their freedom, floating toward the dreary gray sky. As always, she tugged her knit cardigan down to smooth its wrinkles, and pulled her arms close to her body to save warmth. Ducking her head down, she hurried her pace to a brisk stroll, heading toward the direction of her next task. Cutting, cold air blew past, lifting her soft raven hair to float like a kite behind her. As fast as it took flight, it resettled on her back: icy cold, burning through her clothes.

She lay down on the raft, knowing that the end was near. She had to find it, find land. The waves picked up and jolted the floating bundle. She was going to capsize. “Save me… save me…”

The warmth of the inside sharply contrasted the bitter air. Thoughtless actions brought her to a chair and a desk. Smooth movements: the chair was pulled out, the body moved down. Settled in her temporary prison, movement ceased. A still, lifeless figure sat rigid and upright. Even the rise and fall of breathing seemed hidden within the woolen clothes of the season. Waiting, waiting. Nothing new, nothing special. Expressionless. An hour passed and a sound indicated for her to leave. Her body stood, and moved yet again.

Wildly racing, trying to paddle away from the fierce storm, she wails and pleads for mercy. “I just need someone, please, someone… help…” Her voice dies out as she is hit by a crushing wave, leaving her breathless and void of any hope.

Leaving the mess of the institution behind her, exiting the suffocating stone structure, her feet carried her to a wood. The tall trees ethereally glittered with ice crystals. The crunching of the frozen ground beneath her petite feet was the only sound that disturbed the serene silence. The eyes, now liquid, gazed as the tree as if greeting an old friend with a weary tiredness of an ancient soul. Turning her back to it, she slid and sat at the base. Feeling insignificant, the cold settled into her bones; her delicate top insufficient armor against nature. Her eyes closed as she gave into the cold.

Beating her down, the waves, wind, and rain took their turns at her. Her grip on the raft was slowly loosening; the storm was winning.

“Hey!” A voice cut through her numbness. “Hey, are you okay?” Brown cropped hair came into view; green eyes stared down at her.

Land?

Warm arms wrapped around her freezing body. Her eyes opened, and stared at the lively and sparkling eyes, filled with something that she vaguely remembered. Concern.

Tired hands grasped, and found warm sand. Sand? Eyes opened, and found her body on a warm beach, with a lush green jungle ahead. Was she saved?

Her eyes gave out a spark of relief, and they closed yet again. Her body melted into the accepting and strong arms, and the last of her consciousness drifted away, knowing she was safe.

Land.