The Mind of a Patient

Sweat trickled down my forehead, dripping on the side of my face, tickling me with its movements. It gathered and formed a bigger droplet, only to fall and disappear in the air.

The snow ridden path slowed my running, still I kept moving. I wouldn't even doubt if someone told me I was in a swamp, just the sheer difficulty in treading the snow was unimaginable. Without rest, my feet took step after another seemingly afraid of what might happen if they stop. 

An intangible entity crept up from behind, indicated only by the wind following its path. A gale of frost covered its body like a veil of mist, hidden from my sights.

The pureness of the snow shone in contrast with the dark atmosphere of the forest. Snowflakes glided down from the sky with grace and beauty, providing a solemn mood to the place. The moon gave its light, illuminating the path ahead. No stars could be seen tonight, grey clouds covered the night sky like a cloak of darkness.

come... come... come...

I ran, avoiding the trees and kicking the snow. Following a voice echoing in the darkness, fleeing from an unknown monster.

"haah.. haah.. haah.."

My chest heaved up and down, following my breaths as I desperately gasped for air. My heart beats rose in frequency, beating erratically, warming my body but it couldn't fight off the chill of fear.

Questions without answers kept racing in my head, looping back and forth in a circle.

"Gah!"

Snow covered my face, knees in pain. Scarlet red colors littered the ground, tainting the once white snow. Blood oozed out from my knees and arms, dripping slowly into the canvas of white. I wobbled and tripped on my own leg, injuring my body and wasting precious time to escape.

The wind raced for my ankles, ominously touching my skin with a piercing chill. Threatening to devour my very being, attempting to freeze me to death. I got up in panic, forgetting the pain. Adrenaline rushed through my veins, numbing my mind whilst enhancing my senses.

My nose clogged up with snot as I unknowingly shed tears out of fear. I ran, sprinting with reckless abandon, my body bursting with energy. Every tree I touched sent prickling sensations to my fingers. The wind caressed my face as I ran, prompting me to squint my eyes.

 come... come... come...

The voice kept echoing in the background, urging me to come closer. The trees were fewer in numbers, it seems that I am close to getting out of the forest. My footsteps rang loudly, breaking the silence of the night. I sped up and reached for the path outside, only to be greeted with an expanse of ice.

A frozen lake rested in the area. I was given a choice, but the answer was already evident as I walked slowly on top of the ice. Never looking back, treading a dangerous path just to flee from the creeping aura of death.

I stopped as the ice cracked beneath my feet. The cracks webbed without stop as my feet trembled from exhaustion and fear. I tried to run and make it back to land, but the ice broke and I fell in the water with a splash.

come... come... come...

I froze in stiffness from the coldness of the lake. My body kept sinking as I flailed my limbs, desperate to reach the surface. Bubbles of air escaped my lungs as I exhaled out of panic, worsening my situation.

I couldn't see, the lake was engulfed in darkness, covering my eyes with its shadows. The chill penetrated my body, devouring the heat from within. I was cold and drowning, struggling to swim up for air only to be stopped by a wall of ice.

My heart pumped blood faster as fear started to creep in. Punching, kicking and scratching the wall of ice had no effect. The water resisted and restricted the amount of force I could push out.

Water entered my nose as I failed to hold my breath and tried to inhale. A burning pain assaulted my nose and throat as water passed through them, prompting me to shake my head whilst holding my neck.

The moon shone through the ice, keenly observing me struggle as I approached my death. My body gradually lost warmth as time passed by, losing my strength out of exhaustion. I drowned.

My eyes closed, my body still, my mind was the last to go. I lived through the process of drowning and now I'm about to die. Darkness slowly surrounded my mind as my consciousness tried hard to stay afloat.

wake up... wake up...

WAKE UP!

My eyes opened with a start as I deeply inhaled, transparent tubing were stuck to my body. The beeping sound of machines echoed, ringing loudly in the room.

Everywhere was white, the floor, the ceiling, even the blankets on the bed. Was I rescued from drowning? then perhaps I am in a hospital now. The sun shined through the windows, inviting warmth to my cold body. People walked down the streets, going about their day.

I breathed in relief, I was safe now. Just as I was about to sit up, the door opened with a creak. A girl came inside wearing a red dress while holding a bouquet of flowers. I looked to the side and found the same kind of flowers on the bedside table, it looks like she was going to replace them.

"Umm.. hello?"

I nervously greeted as I scratched my head. I didn't know who she was, but it seems like she knows me. She stared at me with wide eyes, looking at me in silence.

"Hey what are you doing standing there? Get in already"

I heard a guy talk to her from outside, are they visiting me perchance? If so then I better welcome them.

"Umm.. you can come inside"

She just stared at me in silence. I watched as tears welled up in her eyes, she threw the bouquet of flower on the floor and ran up to me. Hugging my skinny body and I didn't know what to do.

"Uwah! You're back! you're back!"

She wailed like a kid who found her lost pet, it was baffling to witness a grown woman crying.

"Stop crying for god's sake"

The guy came in the room reprimanding the girl in an annoyed tone. Only to freeze in place as he looked at me. I smiled bitterly and waved my hands.

"I'm back I guess?"