WHERE ARE YOU?

Where are you in the dark of night? For I am standing here, face frozen from fright, holding my dead phone on the street corner, gripping so tight! I see a stranger out of the shadows. Who is he? Who knows? Such a grim sight! I am all alone, but where are you? I ask, as naked branches sway with the grips of icy dew, and flow past my watering eyes. Where are you? And what do I do? For 'tis October's brew that fills my nose, for I am lost, and where are you? Egad! I can't feel my toes, can you? Seems Jack Frost has crept into my last winter's boots?

Shh! What was that? I think I know, it's death approaching, trudging through the deep snow! Where are you, my trusty friend, my beacon of pure light? I employ you; show yourself, my morning may never come past night.

The icy wind blows my harsh truth, no escape, no shelter, and still no sight of you. I walk with a teetering gait, crippled in fear. The air is heavy with the stench of fear. Is he coming near? I slowly turn, as if to project confidence, but my body language conveys confusion. Yet, there is no you. Wait! I see footprints in the snow. Could it be from my formidable foe? It seems the tracks receded away from me. He left? Where did he go? I still look for you, to no avail. I hear a dog barking nearby. Is he chained? My tears are too frozen to cry. Yet I tread on, hoping to see you. My vision is blurred; my eyelashes are covered with an icy mascara. I am too fearful to rub them; I batted them quickly, too scared to close my eyes for too long. As the residue from the snow runs down my cheek, it stings like the edge of a knife. causing my skin to flinch and tighten, I am frightened, and where are you? Will I become a statistic tonight? Where or when would they discover my body? All these questions are racing through my mind as I continue to head towards what looks like my neighborhood. Thoughts of dread, not good. I shake off the eerie thoughts and pick up the pace. Hey, a light came on in a window, but I don't know this place. Should I knock? Those snow-covered stairs are so high. Fearful of slipping on the stairs, I pass on by. My lips are chapped and trembling, and my teeth are chattering too. I'd love a hot cup of coffee, but from where? who? No one is stirring at this time of night. I don't smell anything except a haunting odor of fright. It fills my nose and consumes my every thought, holding on so strongly and taut. What time is it? I ask myself, and I realize that I left my watch on the bathroom shelf. How stupid of me, I thought, now what shall I do? Unsure of my path, I'm too fearful to turn around. The only sounds I hear are my feet pounding the icy, snow-filled ground and my heart racing through my wool coat. My blood is speeding through my veins, pulsing at the thought of the unknown. As I tread on, I struggle to breathe, almost to the point of hyperventilation. Knowing that in my physical state, I cannot protect myself because my hands are numb and stiffened. If attacked, I can't defend; My demise will be hastened. I only hope that my screams of alarm will alert someone to summon help for me, the assistance that I cry for. What block is this? My neck is stiff with fear as I slowly turn to read the sign, but of course, it's also covered in snow. How far am I from home? Who's to know? My nose is now dripping, and I have no tissue. One drop falls and instantly freezes on my shoe. I can't focus on anything; I want to reach home. I don't know what else to do. Somebody, please help me, my heart is dispatching an internal call that only I can hear. How did I let this happen? I ponder and inquire; I always plan every second of my day. One fateful meeting with a friend caused this ripple effect, now unraveling. I should have excused myself earlier or charged up my phone while eating. All these thoughts don't matter now. I am alone, still looking for you. Where is the traffic? Not a sign of one vehicle, it seems unreal, like I'm an actor in a horror movie, and death is certain. I can't change the narrative that's already written; I can only wait for a sign of hope to calm my distress. It's I and only I who can feel my duress. My sorrowful cry, heightened by stress.

I cautiously expect each corner I reach, feeling more and more assured as you slowly creep onto the horizon, giving me a glimpse of hope and opportunity. The snow starts to melt; Now, I can visualize my direction. It's your eternal rays that clear my snow drift paths to safety. Ah, the snow is melting as you slowly come into view. I pick up my pace and walk now in authority, as daylight comes. people, noise, and traffic emerge, giving me a sense of strength and power. At last, I see my home, my haven of protection and safety of my front porch. I'm no longer intimidated by fear. My dead cell phone is still clutched in my palm. You warm my face, I am unharmed. You appeared and set my trembling heart at ease. There you are, my faithful friend, lighting up the sky in all your glory. I see you, you came and turned terror into dawn. Yes, it was the sun that I beckoned for last night. I am no longer afraid, for it is now daylight. I open my front door, as I breathe a sigh of delight. As I turn on the heat to overcome the icy chill, I smile because my warm bed is there to greet me, and I feel your warmth filter through my windows. I am no longer afraid because you're here.