I have to find them.

The chilling winter breeze swept through my tendrils of lengthy, matted hair. The weather had been relentless ever since my expedition had begun. I refused to let it hinder me. The more ferocious the tempest became, the more determined my attitude grew. Each step brought a new level of excruciation as I trudged blindly through the bleak wilderness. I gritted my teeth and continued to push forward, my breaths transforming into a whirlwind of steamy puffs. I knew I was nearing my final destination. The tension in the air that confined me had undeniably escalated since the commencement of my journey, rendering inhalation a task of ever-increasing difficulty.

I can’t quit now… i’m so close… so close that I can nearly feel the warmth.

The mere concept of being reunited with them provided me with a new stamina and vitality to proceed with my mission. I shielded my face with my arm as a single hailstone flew in my direction. Within meager seconds hail was spewing angrily from the dull sky, striking my body with an incapacitating pain. I clenched my fists, teeth clamped upon my lower lip to prevent myself from lamenting about my adversities. The metallic tang of blood soon permeated my mouth.  The speed of the breeze intensified to subduing gale that shrieked in my ears, vanquishing all other sound. I hauled my weighty feet across the ground in a shuffling motion to keep from being driven backwards by the turmoil.

My arrival is imminent…

Was my last coherent thought as I collapsed onto my weary knees. I reached out in front of myself longingly, yearning to grasp anything that could somehow relinquish me to a time when I had everything i’d ever desired. My bloodshot eyes brimmed with tears as I pounded the ground with my fist. I slumped downwards into the drifts of snow, my shoulders trembling with the tears that streamed down my chapped face and into the irrepressible maelstrom that encased me. The sheets of white were tinged with the maroon liquid that trickled from my blue lips.

Drip.. Drip.. My own blood steadily numbers the seconds, the minutes, the inhospitable hours that remain...

I glanced up at the barren trees as the burning torment of the onslaught abruptly ceased. I sensed a warmth looming above me, sheltering me from the persistent downpour. The wind decelerated from an unbearable roar to a sparse whisper as the presence knelt down beside me, slinging a supple arm around my shivering shoulders. The contact seemed to alleviate all of my anguish. It seemed to perceive and sympathize with my perturbations. Even though I hadn’t set eyes upon the apparition, I knew instinctively what it was. “I’m ready.” I found myself sniffling. The visitant didn’t respond. It just enveloped me in its eerie heat, whisking me away into the unfamiliar.

I am a weary traveler of this winding road
I prepare with each passing moment to relinquish this heavy load
There will be no need to repay the debts that I have owed
And I will bask in the mercy that I have so graciously been showed