When I looked into the distance, a figure burst into flames that reached so high they licked the sky. As they faded, only ashes remained, scattered by the wind. Behind me, a roar of voices shouted my name. Their cries were so overwhelming loud - pleas for help, pleas for my return, for my devotion to them. I pressed my hands over my ears and continued walking without turning back. The gravity of these voices tried to pull me from the path I set on, so I fell onto my hands in my struggle and then began to run. 

     My world tinged with bronze. 

 I could finally breathe, but when I remembered to look for you, you were no longer beside me. In my panic, I backtracked, but was lost. I didn’t recognize my surroundings, and I didn’t know where to find you. I screamed your name but all that came out was a howl of sorrow, alone and drowned out in heavy silence. 

   How could I have forgotten to hold your hand tightly when you were always at my side? Was I too careless in my expectations that I accidentally let go or did you pull away when I was too preoccupied to notice? 

  A new light appeared in the darkness; I knew it wasn’t you but I followed it anyway, hoping it could somehow lead me back to you. But when I reached that light and it welcomed me into its warm glow, I found my limbs were bound by chains. 

   My heart sank, realizing that I was alone and trapped in the very fate from which I tried to escape.