I close my eyes and tilt my head back as I draw a long breath deep down into my aching lungs. The crisp, cool air stings my insides and I suddenly exhale with a loud cough. The coughing opens my capillaries and as I take in my next breath I can almost feel the oxygen rushing inside my blood stream.
Slowly I exhale.
I fall to my knees and raise my hands to my temples. I bend forward falling off balance. I catch myself just before falling over by placing my open palm onto the cold earth. I raise myself slowly until my balance is restored.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Tears well up in my eyes. I can feel them burning like fire. I open my mouth but I can't form even the slightest sound. Expression leaves my face entirely.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
The muscles holding me up begin to buckle. Anguish flows into my mind like a flash flood washing away all hope and leaving only the debris of desperation. Then I fall to the ground.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
The something in my heart creates a nothing in my mind and I become numb. I close my eyes once again pinching the cold tears from the surface of them. I feel them slowly running down my face like trickles of icy seawater gathering at the corners of my mouth.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe out...breathe out...
Darkness.
