Keeping Isabelle

Have you ever experienced a moment in time, whether you're running or something, and you can't breathe? You cough and choke on the air, and you're so tired you want to stop, but know you can't? That you shouldn't?

I've been running. For a really long time. I don't even know where from, actually. But I knew I had to, if I wanted to be free from the cold, damp basement I'd been held in for some time.
I would say I've been running for at least three days. I know I'm really sick. I suspect hypothermia, at least. It's been too long since I've stopped and too long since I've drink or ate anything, unless you count drinking from a puddle on the side of a street a few hours ago.

I gripped my hood, hoping if they were looking for me, they would have less a chance if they couldn't see my face. It was cold, and snowing, and I was in a fading Aeropostale sweatshirt from three years ago.

I had slipped and fell quite a few times as I crossed a semi-abandoned looking dirt trail. The snow wasn't fresh and I could make out newer looking tire tracks.
I brought my hands over my mouth and blew hot air onto the frozen things, sticking them in other pockets of my grey sweatpants.

I ducked a tree branch and stopped, turning around and realizing that there was fresh tire tracks!
I practically ran bak to the road, dragging my feet excitedly through the snow. In the distance I could see a small, homey cottage. I breathlessly let out a smile and started going faster.

I reached the end of the road and found that the cottage wasn't at all small, or homey. It was scary and mammoth and not even a cottage.
All the matter, I still dragged my feet through at least six inches of snow to the wooden stairs, coughing. I grabbed the door knocker and let it go, hearing the loud clang of metal against metal.

"Um, hello?" I called, trying to see through the fogged glass. "I really need–" I was stopped by excessive coughing. "–I uh, really need help!"

The faded brown door opened a smidge, and I could barely make out a pair of bright green eyes. I immediately though of the surrounding trees.
Like pine trees, I thought.

"Help me, please, sir," I said breathlessly and started another coughing fit.

Notes