The smell of the swamp is the first thing that I remember as tried to open my eyes… My head felt like it was about to explode and I am pretty sure I could hear running water not to far away. I tried to open my eyes again but the dim light hurt my eyes so I closed them again. “Ok” I thought to myself , “Let’s collect ourselves, breathe in, breath out.. where am I and how did I get here?”. I start to feel panic in the pit of my stomach but I brush it away. I can hear my inner voice rushing to tell me what I don’t want to hear so I mustered all my remaining strength and I opened my eyes.
Fear is a funny thing. It can be your ally but it can very much be your worst enemy. I am paralyzed with fear because the last thing I remember is a flash of white light. The unfamiliar surrounding is not helping a lot and while I am trying to get up a branch or something creaks and I hear the muffled sound.
In one fraction of a second all my body becomes tense and alive. So alive that the pumping blood rushing to my ears deafens the sounds around me. My breathing has jumped from a lethargic rhythm to that of a marathon runner on the last sprint for victory. Mi mind a million miles per hour is not really helping and I thank God at this time for the Survivor instinct in me.The distinct sound again getting definitely closer. The clown in me, scared to death and trying to make light of things as usual tries to calm me down. “C’mon! it’s probably just an animal…” she says very matter of factly. “Who would be out here in a place like this, right?” and then the Fear comes back, yelling loudly “Well, WE are here and we don’t know how we got here…” Thankfully Survivor will have none of this and makes us ALL shut up and pay attention.
It is definetly footsteps. We all know this by now and there is no way to deny it. I hold my breath as best I can since it is going at lighting speed but I am confident I am invisible and have blended with my surroundings. (to be continued)
