Her heart raced. The sound thundered in her ears. Her breaths came short and shallow. The cold air was painful in her lungs. Sweat beaded on her skin and dissipated into the wind. Her feet rhythmically beat against the frozen ground. Stings of pain ran up her legs. Trees sailed past her vision in a dim blur. Branches reached out to her, cutting into her skin like razors. Blood and sweat mixed on her skin. The acrid scent crept into her nostrils. Roots tried to halt her. Darkness pursued her relentlessly. Tears welled up and ran down her face. Blood and diet stained the crystal clear liwuid. She could hear it. It was close. The sound of crashing far away. The sound grew. She could feel the mist carress her skin. Trees gave way and left her behind. The sound was deafening. The wind wipped her hair into a frenzy. A smile broke her complection. Close. So close. Her feet were numb. Almost. One more step. She jumped. The void opened under her. This was it. Finally free!