[Icy fingers]

One step, two steps, three steps, a fall.

The weather was freezing and he was only covered by shallow garments. His respiration was gelid and his breath was icy cold.

With each passing second, his fingers grew colder. Shivers ran through his body, but he was still unresponsive. His mind is confused and sick.

By Querusa and Menusa.

At this point in the night, his feet were fossilized. The hanging moon maintained its perpetual state, constantly reminding him of his poor physical and mental state.

His motor skills were crumbling, deviating normally from his original path. The dirty earth had already painted his face, hiding his eyes.

One step, two steps, three steps, one fall.

Despite his obvious deplorable physical state, he remained with his intention, holding high in his mind an ideal.

A sick, confusconfusing

Kale's mind churned until he stopped by a tree at the side of the road. Hiding among its voluminous branches, to block any prying eyes from any pedestrians.

He had always been a bit skeptical, but his mind exploded in the last few days. Ever since he had discovered through personal channels his million-dollar opportunity, his mind had been wandering.

His legs trembled and every little noise made him startle, every shadow manifesting itself as sinister.

He couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him, who was following him wherever he went.

He had observed strange people for the past three days, even those who lurked around him in the dark. He was sure they were all involved, whatever it was.

Kale's thoughts were a jumble of theories and worst-case scenarios.

He was convinced that there were bad people out to get him, that they had been following him for the past few days. Watching his words and actions.

For the last few days, he had been listening to countless walking advertisements predicting his plight, the risk he was in every moment.

But he had to make it. He had to be the final contestant and the winner! He could not allow anyone to steal his privileged information.

So he could trust no one, not even his closest friends and family.

They were all dying like dogs for greed. No one was spared.

Everyone was in on the conspiracy, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Kale's paranoia had completely taken hold of him, making it difficult even for him to breathe. Every waking moment consumed him in an endless vortex.

He had stopped going to woodwork and stopped answering greetings. He was convinced of the great conspiracy that was being woven in the darkness - they were out to get him and he was the only one who could stop them!

As he lay hidden by the tree, Kale's thoughts churned with paranoid delusions. He was trapped in his mind, a prisoner of his fears and anxieties.

He could not escape the feeling of being watched, of being hunted. Little by little his delirium and anxiety were fading, along with his ability to keep warm.

And yet, despite his state, Kale couldn't help but keep the last fire of his life burning.

He looked around, heart racing as if expecting to see someone lurking in the shadows. But there was no one. Only his fears and anxieties manifested themselves in his mind.

He tried to shake off his thoughts, trying to shelter himself in the dark, icy night.

But Kale's paranoia had become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

His fears had taken over his present life. His fears and delusions are tenants without merit.

He was a prisoner of his mind and did not know how to escape. Like the blow of someone desperate with a sledgehammer, his head ached. He began to sweat even in the frigid weather. His last flame of life was being burnt out.

With heavy breaths, his vision blurred. But like an axe splitting the sky, immediately his senses sharpened. He watched as a strange figure approached.

With an effort beyond his limits, he managed to get to his feet. His figure is unprotected against the lunar light.

But against all expectations, in a dramatic event, Kale's foot crushed a branch beneath his feet. At this, his paranoid mind was paralyzed.

His heart quickened, and with his last reasoning, he scanned his surroundings. His senses sharpened and his fear heightened.

With the song of a dead bird, the eyes of the strange figure bore into his paralyzed form. Piercing through his fearful countenance, chilling his senses like his body.

Kale in his madness, proceeded to claw at his arms, trying to dispel his unprotected state. He did not know what was real from the unreal.

But the sensation persisted, as did the coldness that abounded in his body.

His legs were heavy as stone. With a mild shock, electricity flashed through his eyes.

It was then that he saw it with a little clarity. The shadowy figure, lurked a few feet away, beyond the trees.

Kale's breath failed at the sight. He tried to make out its features, but it was too dark, too blurry, his mind fuzzy....

He didn't know if it was a person, an animal, or something else entirely.

Instantly his instincts flared, the baser instincts capable of allowing him to perform atrocities without regret.

But like a shooting star, his curiosity suppressed his curiosity as he held it in position, unmoving.

Though the sensation of roots in his feet remained, he took a step with his heart galloping. The blood warmed his cold body, able to give him a small comfort to rest in.

The unknown figure did not move and did not react. It just watched him in silence, its eyes fixed on Kale, like a hungry animal that was starving for food.

With another step, he stretched out his hand... But without warning, he ran like the gallop of a divine beast.

Unfortunate it was, for it kissed the ground. It wasn't a divine beast, it belonged to the earthly... And it was not even fit.

The silence was the only response that followed. The figure did not move, did not speak. It just stared at Kale's pained figure.

His eyes pierced the darkness like two twinkling stars.

The pain in his knee was the last flip of the switch. Kale stood up in pain, turned, and ran, his heart racing and his legs pumping. The lonely trail seemingly went on forever.

He dared not glance at the scene, his aim was clear.

"Damn! Damn! I will be the victor! I will be the victor... Triumphant... Triumph-". Kale shouted as he ran.

His mind sick, he rambled.

His fingers are cold.

And his eyes turned red.