Earbuds in, I follow the familiar trail. A soft piano melody fills my ears. My head is bent, the cool morning breeze brushes my cheeks, and twigs crack softly beneath my shoes. Still dreamy after a bad night’s sleep, I idly kick pinecones out of my way. My eyes trace the shifting patterns of light and shadow on the ground, while my feet move on instinct. And then, suddenly, something slams into me. Hard. My balance disappears and I hit the ground. My heart hammers against my ribs. My breath catches. Cold ripples race across my arms. What was that?

“I’m scared! Who are you?” The words tumble out, broken and desperate. My mind is blank, consumed by panic. No escape. No sense. ''I want to go home. Why is it dark?!”

I want to scream, but no sound comes. The voice echoes through my skull. My vision blurs, then fades. The light drains from my eyes. And everything disappears. I feel myself fainting.