The repetition of my scruffy sneakers encountering the crumbling, broken asphalt shatters the late-night silence with thundering echoes. Deserted dark buildings tower above me. Faint silver shimmers break through the velvety darkness. The mistress of midnight casts pale, yellow light into patches of ghastly shadows. Dripped with dew, sprouts of green eerily gleam from between the sidewalk cracks. The nipping breeze skips through the trees, causing the ticklish leaves to rustle away. My hair falls victim to the playful wind and slides in front of my face. As I quicken my pace, I zip my fuzzy, warm fleece. Slowly creeping up, fog slides and hides, draping the darkened world in a curtain of cool mist. The fog swirls and twirls in clouds of wispy white. My mind also spins in a cloud--a cloud of confusion. Hundreds of things bounce about, contracting and complicating.

I step off the cracked pavement and onto the beaten brown path. The path curves and weaves away from society. As I proceed, the world disappears, both in my mind and from the dense fog. The towering trees thicken, the moonlight fades away, and the familiar sounds of the waves on the shore combine with the soft chirping of crickets. Finally, I reach my desired destination. I automatically stride to my tree, sit down, and lean against it. Pulling my knees to my chest, I gaze into the glassy surface. Small streams of pale moonlight glisten and sparkle under the water. I pluck a tall cattail and twirl it between my fingers. The methodical motion of the cool green stem soothes my nerves. Silently, I absorb the mystical, gorgeous surroundings. Here, I can escape from reality, I can clear my mind, and I can dissolve materialistic worries and rediscover myself. My retreat allows me to be free. The woods are large enough for me to let my whole spirit go and have no fear of society touching it. The darkness absorbs my worries, while the dewy grass softens my stress. The strong supporting arms of my tree allow me to relax. The clear, glassy surface of the water reflects my deepest thoughts. Mother Nature nurtures my soul.

I awake to the cheerful chirping of the birds. The little brown birds hop about the branches, welcoming the new day. The sky is ablaze. The golden sun peeks from the horizon. Rays of warm yellow sunlight trickle across the sky. Glowing orange meets the yellow and melts into light hazy shades of pink. Pale blue chases away the last lingering black. Lazily drifting clouds of white blend the beautiful colors of dawn. I stretch my legs out in front of me as I take a deep breath of fresh air. My spirit is revived. I contain the strength to face the world again. Slowly, I get up and follow the path back to reality.