I remember the feeling all too well.

It started with a thunderstorm..clouds pushing against one another, igniting rage in the form of crackles and booms. I hadn't seen it coming, or I would have been more prepared. Navigating the woods was never a hard feat, but the mud and obstructed view of the clearing from the downpour made it difficult for the first time.  I quickly packed up my books, careful not to damage them before jogging in the direction of home. Normally, I'm a fast runner, but the mud held on tighter to my shoes with every new step I took, pulling me closer to the ground. I grew colder and heavier until my feet were shrouded in brown sludge and I just couldn't move anymore. The world around me stilled. Trees swayed in slow motion, whistling wildly against the harsh winds. And for a brief moment, it felt as though the rain had suddenly stopped. The air stilled, along with the dwindling sounds of rustling tree branches. I peered towards the puddle before me, watching as the droplets lessened and revealed my reflection looking haggard and soaked. It was nothing out of the ordinary, until she smiled at me and my world as I knew it went dark.