Tabula Rasa

I was a good hundred metres behind you, but I never let you out of my sight. There was no way you could escape me again. I wouldn’t let it happen again. I’d spotted you at the base of the mountain and began the steep ascent behind you. I don’t think you saw me coming. This time I would get you. I could feel it, through the blistering cold I could feel it. Forwards we moved, separated by the space of an endless chase. You climbed onwards. This morning, I thought I had escaped you, but I was wrong. I was always wrong with you. You had such a way of appearing when I would least expect it. I know now I should always expect it. You watched me. I felt you watching me. I knew you were there, although you never spoke. Never breathed a word. I could feel you. The snow didn’t stop you like I’d hoped it would. I tried to move quicker. You were gaining speed. You climbed onwards. Once or twice I thought I saw you turn around and catch my eye. At every flicker of hesitation I threw myself behind the nearby trees. Up until now they had provided me with adequate cover, allowed me to slink and sleuth behind you without giving myself away. The trees were starting to thin out, however, and I was sure you would see me eventually. Really see me. I had to remain concealed for as long as possible, until I was ready. The snow was getting heavier now, I could hardly see through the falling flakes, and I had to reduce the distance between us to keep you in my sights. I climbed onwards. I thought that the further I climbed, the higher the altitude and the thicker the snow, you would begin to retreat. But you didn’t. If anything, the climb excited you even further, made you hungrier for the chase. The snow was so much thicker now. I could hardly move fast enough. Panic started to pulse through me, throbbing my temples and driving me harder up the mountain. My legs were starting to give in as the blanket of fluffy white flakes transformed into an icy roadblock. I pushed harder. I climbed onwards. The cold had started to seep its way into my bones. I thought I could withstand the mountain, but I was starting to lag. I hoped you would falter before I did. I pushed harder. My strides became more determined, there was purpose in every step. I couldn’t forget why I was here. I had to reach you soon. We climbed onwards. I was slipping. I was cold. It was dark. There was no way I could go much further. I had to rest, to breathe, to conceal myself in this overwhelming darkness. I knew you were almost upon me. I had to do something. We climbed onwards. Night was falling. You were desperate. You were afraid. This was my chance.