21

I crossed hastily through the house's wide playground.

I tried to walk as fast as I could, but it was challenging as my feet sank deep into the snow.

Running wasn't feasible in such awful ground conditions.

My vision was blurry from bitter tears, and I felt an overwhelming urge to vomit and scream, but I refrained, especially the latter, not wanting Jack or any of the kids to see me that way.

I slipped away into the vast forest, walking aimlessly, just wanting to be far from people for a while. I didn't want to talk or listen to anyone, especially Jack.

I just needed to wallow somewhere with no exit or at least calm down, whichever came first, as I no longer cared about what happened to me.

Unintentionally, I found myself at the place where I used to hide when I felt the same unpleasant sensation deep in my soul. One so vile and repulsive that it made me not even want to keep living.

At times, I fervently wished to be dead so that at least everything would stop.

The bare branch-like t