A Better Place
It was an hour before dawn and the land was still sleeping. An icy breeze passed overhead, making the looming blue gums sway ominously in the cold air. In the distance, the harsh shriek of a barn owl pierced the night. To the dishevelled young woman shambling through the greenery, the bird’s ominous call was eerily appropriate for what she was about to do. She was almost completely blind in the darkness, but she refused to slow down. In her haste, shrubs snapped underfoot, and tiny rocks pierced the soles of her bare feet. Before long, the woman was grimacing with every step. She knew that her feet were bleeding, but she didn’t care. Soon, her injuries wouldn’t matter. After several more long minutes of painful walking, the hard, cold ground softened into soothing, cool mud. Panting slightly, the woman finally stopped. She was here. Before her, silvery moonlight danced across the blackness of the river’s surface. The dark, flowing water seemed to beckon to her. The woman allowed herself one last glance into the darkness behind her before creeping closer to the river’s edge. With tears blurring her already-hindered vision, she stepped into the water.