Raindrops transfigured into flaky snow while I chased after the swindler who was as slippery and quick as a slender fish in the ocean. He had stolen all my wealth that I had toiled for all my life by promises of more which I realized were all spurious a little late. Such was the wisdom of someone who lived life only once. My throat was raw from the screams, but nobody stopped to spare a glance at the injustice. The icy crystals of winter melted into dewdrops on the passing leaves and little, uncaring wildflowers of spring sprouted beneath my feet. I ran after him with all my might, oh, he was this close. Just this much.

I grew sick of the sun whose fierce rays beat my back like whips of fire as if it was a ringmaster who wished to torment me for everyone's pleasure. The wisest thing was ending it all, but I persisted. I was born to be a hopeful fool after all. To hope for more and more and to chase after what he had promised me all my life. Money, fame, success. The wildflowers and leaves soon withered and crunched underneath my feet. Crunch, crunch, crunch. I heard it all the way till it was winter again and I had cornered the thief. With snot that had hardened into a pointy icicle under his nose, the thief shivered more from fear than the cold. Still, he hid all my wealth behind his cowering body and I stood towering over him.

For a fleeting moment, I felt the ecstatic tears of success fill my eyes when suddenly, someone more powerful than the thief jumped at me and twisted my insides till blood and tears spilt on the snow.

That thief, Time, with his companion, Death, high-fived each other and roaaaaaared with laughter.