i.

I hide,

Your eyes watching me,

And I run through the storming meadow,

The wind screaming.

Thunder claps

Warning me

And lightning strikes

My soul.

I run

And run

And run

And run

Through the tall grass

Through the wildflowers

Through the dark meadow

I hear your loud cry.

The wind swirls

The wildflowers.

Another thunder clap.

I will not come back,

I will not.

ii.

The weeds grasp my ankles

Like your cold fingers,

Each one sending

A shiver through my body.

The pond close by,

The birds, feathers ruffling,

The disturbed water

Watches me run.

The rain blurs

My mind.

You cry out again;

Your shriek pierces

My heart.

I will not come back,

I will not.

iii.

My soaked hair

Slaps my face coldly

Like your brutal hand.

My pure white dress

Is stained

With water and blood.

My feet ache,

My bones ache,

My thoughts ache,

My heart aches.

I will not come back,

I will not.

iv.

I shiver

In the frigid, wet wind.

I hide behind a dark tree trunk,

Panting.

Again you wail

Your terrifying, bone-chilling, bloodthirsty howl

Calling out my name.

You want me.

You want to be me.

You love me.

You hate me.

I will not come back,

I will not.

v.

A flash of lightning

Blinds me.

The wind

Bawls in my ear

Like your whisper:

I own you.

I crouch in the tall grass

Like a creature

Hiding from a dangerous predator.

Rustle.

Rustle.

My heart almost stops.

vi.

You have found me.

Your icy, soaked hand

Clenches my arm

And squeezes out

My strength.

I cry out

To the meadow,

To the birds,

To the water,

To the storm.

The storm takes a pause,

Then rages

Louder than any storm

Before it.

You are caught off-guard

By the thunder

That shakes the ground

And knocks you off your feet.

You release

Your wicked grip.

I break away

And run.

Run faster.

Run stronger.

Run.

vii.

The storm

Has drowned you out.

I have escaped.

viii.

I lay in the soft grass,

Feeling exhausted

And breathless.

My body aches,

But I am relieved.

In the warm sun

That has dissipated the clouds,

I rest.

Freedom.

Freedom at last.