she woke to find she was drowning.

rain during the night had flooded the hollow where she had sought shelter, turning it into a muddy pool. she struggled to climb out, mud and wet grass offering little purchase to her clawing fingers. time after time she hauled herself out of the water only to slide back down the muddy slope.

fear lent her strength. the thought of the cold, muddy water filling her lungs drove her scrambling up the muddy bank and out of the hollow.

she stumbled down the hill, slipping on loose scree and walking blindly into tangles of thorn.

somewhere in the darkness she stumbled upon the cave, and crept inside, too exhausted to wonder what might be lurking in the shadows. curling up in the deepest, darkest crevice she could find, she slept.