Am I going to be trapped forever?

I didn't really know what was going to become of me or where I was going, but I knew that I had to get out of that place.

I ran for what seemed like forever. The wind fought against me art first, trying to drive me back into those merciless jaws.

But then, once I closed my eyes and relaxed myself, the earth around me seemed to finally understand my motives.

The air around me drove me forward until I felt like I was flying.

I held onto that feeling. I knew it was special and that I should keep ahold of it for as long as I could.

I could feel the leaves below my feet stir with every brush on the soil I took.

I knew I was special. I knew so because of how the earth cared for me. The others only paid attention to their man-made playthings. No one else had time to become friends with the nature around them like I had.

I guess I could consider myself lucky. With the uncaring family I had, they never bought me anything man-made. They didn't care where I went or what I did.

Until the death calling.

That's why I run, forest.

I don't want to let you down.

I don't know why, but suddenly, I opened my eyes. I stopped running, and the wind turned and drove West, halting me in my tracks.

A rushing river roared in front of me. Or, that's what I saw at first. The river was really very calm and inviting.

I called it Dragon River, because I always hoped for dragons to come out of it in an elegant display before my eyes.

But I knew now that that would never happen.

I walked quietly up tip the sandy bank, reaching out a paw and brushing the top of the water gently. I loved the feeling of the water. It made me feel full and finally complete.

Maybe I had two friends instead of one.

I knew the forest was my friend. But... Was the water? I had never even said hello to it before...

I thought of the pictures of the beach that I had seen in the old family album. Those waters were beautiful. They shimmered with an elegance I could only describe as magic.

I imagined myself there. At the sandy shore, overlooking the out-stretching ocean.touching the glittering sea and smelling the salty air.

"River ... Takk. Jeg må gå snart, men jeg håper du fortsatt husker meg."

I stood, opening my eyes to seek the cruel reality. I was ready.

"Farvel, skog."

I turned away, calling out:

"Jeg gir meg selv! Jeg ER HELT!"

I ran with the forest for the last time on this earth that day.

I dreamed of the beach and the waters. I dreamed I could have visited them a and become friends with them as well.

And, I believed, when I went to Heaven, He might be merciful of my horrid life that he would give me my own beach.

I hope.