Rising silently, I dim the flame in my hand, and push my way back through the brambles, eager to leave, carefully, carefully, listening behind me for the footfalls of a creature that might have heard my presence. I grit my teeth and walk faster. Soon enough the end of the bramble wall appears, quicker than I remember- much quicker, my feet moving from under me, eager to get out and-
My feet slide beneath me.
Mud and brambles and leaves and spiny sticks all loom into my vision as my face slams into the ground, catapulted out of the brambles and flat onto my back. For a moment, my breath leaves my lungs. Stars flash before my eyes. Wheezing and somewhat delirious, I cough, chest feeling bruised, and scramble to secure my sachet, which had been flung off my back. My head spins. I feel like I am going to vomit.
