It's cold.
I move my arms before I open my eyes. It feels like dirt.
I should be wrapped up in my bed, why can I feel dirt?
I open my eyes and take in the scene around me as I sit up slowly. I am outside, in a small clearing in the woods. There are patches of dirt and grass all around me, but mostly trees lining the clearing, and then lots of trees beyond that.
A breeze blows, reminding me of the cold. I wrap my arms around myself, but feel only skin. I look down. I am naked.
Naked, in the woods.
I hug my knees into my chest and start to cry.
I hear a rustle in the trees behind me, making me jump. I look round, and see nothing. Then the rustling starts again.
'Hello?' I call out, but nothing answers. Rustling, endless rustling. I jump to my feet and back away from the sound. Then I turn and run, as fast as I can.
The running feels natural, it feels right. I feel free. Branches and leaves brush past my face and body, some catching my skin and leaving cuts. I run for as long as I can breath easily, which is longer than I imagined. Then I reach the edge of the woods.
I stop as the town comes into view. I breath a sigh of relief as I realise my house is just a couple of blocks away. I look up at the sky, it can't be past 6am, hopefully most people will be asleep still. I peer across the road, looking for signs of life, but the town seems dead.
I cautiously walk across the road and round the corner. Still no one around. Then I run again.
Reaching my front door I realise that I have no keys to get in. I knock hard.
'Mom?' I shout. 'Mom, please let me in.'
I hear shuffling footsteps. And then a key in the lock. My Mom stares at me, standing naked in the front door.
'I can't explain, I'm sorry,' I tell her. She rolls her eyes and shuffles back to her bedroom. She is used to seeing me come home drunk, although I'm pretty certain I haven't had anything to drink this time. I shut the front door and rush into my room. I wrap myself up in bed and close my eyes. It seemed like I slept for a long time, and yet I am still tired.