Prologue
Amongst the sounds of katydids, crickets, and cicadas, the sounds of my childhood that once gave me feelings of peace and home, I felt more alone than I had ever felt in my entire life. The thick sounds which once lulled me to sleep on summer nights now only reminded me that, as a human, I was now the minority. I was the prey animal, huddled in my faux and fleeting safety in my makeshift bed. I am alone.
I looked around my unfamiliar surroundings, a forgotten shed in woods with no paths to follow. The one window with a broken pane shed rays of moonlight over my bare legs, too hot and humid for cover. A sudden rustling of leaves prompted me to hold my breath, my heartbeat filling my ears as I waited. I didn't want to admit to myself what I was really waiting for.
Each passing moment only brought me closer to one thing. I had already fought so hard and for so long, but now, amidst the chorus of nature with tears welling in my eyes, I knew my death was inevitable. Squeezing my eyes shut, hot tears ran down my dirt dusted cheeks. I knew the only solace I could find now in this life was inside my dreams, where I could still remember shape of his eyes and the curve of his smile, but I knew there would be no rest tonight, the dead still ringing in my ears.