Through tired eyes, I noticed the village peering through the mist. After day’s of travel, little food and water, my legs ached.

Just a little longer.

The mist was a cool blanket on my skin. The stones beneath my bare feet ice cold. I wrapped my filthy cloak tighter around me, savoring the warmth as I slowly followed the path.

Just a little longer.

I kept my eye’s on the village, hoping I’d see someone -anyone- who would notice my arrival. From the distance and mist, I could hardly see the building. Keep moving forward. I would not allow myself to stop now. Not after everything.

Just a little longer.

With each step, pain ached my legs, my lungs, my head. I focused once more on the buildings, closer now, I could see a door open on a small cottage. A woman in a long dress strolled out carrying what seemed to be a basket. I tried to yell but my throat was dry. I waved my arms, trying to get her attention. Too far. She would not see me this far. I wanted to scream, yell, cry - anything to be seen.

Just a little closer. I moved to fasten my pace, enduring the sore legs and burning lungs. I kept an arm flaring out with the other gripping the cloak. My eyes began to burn as I stumbled across the stones. I almost fainted when the woman looked over in my direction, seeming to look out towards me. She dropped her basket, ran back into the cottage and moments later being followed back out by a man. They paused, then they were running. Running to me.

My eyes flooding with tears, I kept moving. Just a little longer. I could hear them now, through the tears and the mist, they were yelling but the exhaustion was heavy on me now that I couldn’t comprehend. I felt my body slow to a stop, the man now reaching his arms out toward me before I felt everything start slipping out from under me. Before the darkness swallowed me whole, strong arms caught me before I hit the ground.

Just a little longer.