mud

I woke up, again. In the mud, with the rain pouring. Icy cold, I stood up. I was in a forest, and it was pouring. The mud was already as high as my ankles. Before long this whole area would be flooded.

I checked my phone, which said it was [11:27 P.M.] I looked around, seeing some light behind, and in front of me. The one in front of me was moving, which meant there was definitely someone there. But what if they leave before I reach them?

What if the light behind me is safer? What if there's a house there? "screw it." I said, talking to myself. It was a habit I developed when I was young. It might have been because I had very few friends.

I ran towards the moving light, not yet yelling, or screaming for help. slowly I got closer, the mud slowing me down as I sunk deeper into it with every step. "Help!" I yelled, finally getting closer to the light.

They didn't hear me over the downpour, and they started walking away. I felt adrenaline coursing through my veins in the fear of not being found, of being found days later, dead. "HELP! PLEASE HELP ME!" They didn't hear me. They must've gone into their car, because there was a lot more light for a second before it disappeared.

I turned around, looking for the previous light, but I couldn't see it. The water had risen halfway to my knees now. This was a flash flood, and if I didn't get out now, I might drown. Or freeze. I turned around, yet again. to where the light that I ran to used to be. I knew that must've been a way up.

I walked over to the spot, and saw a ledge. It was around 20 feet high, and there was grass covering the entire wall of dirt. I tried to climb it, but it was too slippery, and the grass fell under my grip. I tried again, this time getting up a little bit.

Then I fell, the roots I was holding onto, snapped. I fell backwards, into the water. My entire body was enveloped by the water. I sat up as fast as I could, swiping the water off my face as fast as I could, I inhaled deeply. The water was touching the bottom of my ribs as I was sitting.

I stood up, the water up to my knees now. I checked my phone, which said it was now [11:54 P.M.] My phone flickered for a moment before going completely dark due to the water invading its circuits. I threw my phone into the water, it splashed up and hit my face softly. I felt like crying, and I was shivering.

I decided to run back to the first light, the stationary one. I ran to the best of my abilities, but the water slowed me down, more and more every second that passed. The water kept rising, never stopping. I trudged further, and further, Finally seeing that light. the precious promise of warmth and safety. I called out "HELP ME! PLEASE I'M SO COLD!"

I tripped, falling onto my knees, and the water was at my chest. The water was too high for comfort. I stood up. the water at my waist. "HELP PLEASE!" I yelled again as I walked closer.

I saw the house, "HELP!" I screamed, begging with god to let me be heard in the downpour and lightning. The door opened, The house was on a ledge like the first light I tried to arrive at. "DOWN HERE! PLEASE!" They ran to the ledge, looking over the metal railing.

It was a young man, I could see his short hair, but I couldn't make out any features of his face. "THROW ME A ROPE, PLEASE!" They ran into their house. I hoped it was for the rope. I waited for a moment, shivering. Teeth chattering, I felt warm liquid slide down my cheeks, and I knew I was crying. I heard him say "I got the rope!"

He threw down one of the ends, and it smacked against the deep now to my stomach water. I grabbed on feeling my wet hands almost immediately start slipping. I tightened my grip and started climbing up it, I used my feet in a way I taught myself to do with ropes. Anchoring myself while I reached up with my arms again.

I reached the top, seeing this guy. He was covered in blood, he offered to take me inside, and I saw the knife in his pocket. If I didn't go inside I might freeze to death. But if I did, I might get murdered.

I shook my head, saying "No, I think I'm ok now." I felt the spare bits of adrenaline course through my veins once more as I saw his face turn into one of anger. "No, I insist." I shook my head, and then he grabbed his knife. I ran past him, startling him as he yelled "You'll fucking freeze out there!"

I kept running, and I came to the road, the guy was chasing me. I had to remember which way would lead me to safety. to civilization. I ran to the right, he was near me. Then he started laughing, and stopped his pursuit. "Yeah, keep going that way." His voice had malice dripping off of it.

I knew I was going deeper into the forest now, But then I saw light. A car was coming my way. I held my hands above my head as fast as I could, and I yelled, "HELP ME! PLEASE!" The truck stopped in front of me, and a woman poked her head out of the driver's side of the truck. "What are you doing standing in the road? You're gonna get hit!"

I didn't skip a beat and I repeated myself, "PLEASE HELP ME!" Her eyes widened as she said "GET IN!" I ran to the passengers side, hearing the footsteps behind me. She opened the door for me, allowing me to just jump in and close the door. The man stabbed the engine hood, and she slammed on the gas, running him over into the ground. I didn't look behind us for a while, afraid of what I might see.

"So, you ok kid?" The woman had dirty blond hair, and hazel eyes, she seemed older, around 45, and she had a more country drawl in her tone. "Yeah, thanks for that." She shrugged and said, "Don't even think about it, There was a psycho killer with a knife chasing you. Besides, you won't survive in this flash flood if you stayed out."

I nodded, agreeing with her, "What time is it?" She grabbed her phone and said "12:21, A.M." I sighed, "How long were you out there? And what's your name? I'm Maggy, but you can call me mag." I nodded, "I don't know the exact time I got out there, but I know I was abandoned by my friends, my head hurts. Also my name is Mathew."

"Abandoned you say? tell me more, and when do you know you were out there?" I responded, "Somewhere around [11:30 P.M.]. My friends pushed me off the railing, there was grass. but there was also a rock. I passed out I guess, and when I woke up. the mud was up to my ankles." She nodded, and said "Well, sounds like you need better friends." I chuckled, "I guess."

We finally got back to the city, I told her where my house was, and she drove me there. I gave her my number since I trusted her. I went inside, and the oven clock showed the time in its small white numbers, [12:52].

I got changed into dry clothes, and I showered. The exhaustion hit me suddenly afterwards. I walked to bed, flopping down and passing out.