You walk through the empty streets, walking cane at your side. Your mind wanders, and thoughts burn through you like a fire. You've walked these streets a million times. You don't want to anymore. But you continue, nonetheless.

The streets feel lonely. The sky is grey. You think it might rain, but you have your coat. You think back to the times when there were still sunny days. You were so reckless and free. You smile sadly. You miss it. You remember what your mother used to sing to you when you were stressed out. And now....

You shake your thoughts away and continue walking. Your legs grow weary from the strain. You've grown old waiting for someone to rely on. You've never found that person. You doubt you ever will. You remember the times you think you thought you had. But they would always turn out to be love gone wrong. Eventually, they would turn into love lost. The things you've said to them and the things they've said to you - nothing but lifeless words imprinted on your memory now. You carry on walking.

It starts to rain. You pull your coat closer to yourself. You wish you had brought an umbrella. Soon, you are soaking wet. You feel yourself shiver in the cold. You pick up the pace despite your tired legs. Soon, you start running. It's what you've been doing all your life. It's what you do with everything. The rain feels like the house your mind has been locked inside for so long - full of doubt and insecurity and you've lost the key.

The rain doesn't give in but your legs do. You fall to the ground, landing on your hands and knees and your walking cane goes rolling far away. A burning pain shoots through your body but it quickly subsides. The cold hard ground fills you with a sense of hopelessness and dread. Everything around you seems to fade out. You stay there, bowed on the ground, for what feels like eternity. You start crying. Your tears blend in seamlessly with the rain, unbeknownst to everyone but you. You repeat the same old question in your head -

"When will this be over?"

You sit up on your knees. The tears won't come anymore. You look up at the sky. As the raindrops fall on your face, you wonder if someone is up there. You feel angry. "Why have they decided to do this to you? What have you done to deserve this? Why have they made you like this?" You ask yourself. There is no answer apart from the sound of rain.

You stand up slowly as the rain starts to lighten. You walk over to where your cane is and pick it up. Your mind feels a bit clearer now. You feel a little ashamed because of your moment of weakness. You look around but thankfully the street is just as empty as before. You gather up your strength and start walking again.

You finally reach your destination - your house. You walk up the steps of the porch and stop infront of the door. You take the keys out of your pocket and wedge it into the lock. As you turn it, something makes you want to turn around. You swing the door open a little but you decide to look back.

The rain has stopped. The sky is still grey and cloudy but you can see the sunlight peeking through in some places. There's a soft breeze blowing through the street, kicking up the fallen leaves and dust.

You turn around and walk over to the front of your porch. You sit down, your body groaning at the effort, and place your cane besides you. You look around and notice the aftermath of the rain. "Everything looks cleaner than before," your mind remarks. The breeze has filled the air with the scent of wet leaves and you see children excitedly coming out to play.

A deep sense of gratitude fills your mind. You realise how grateful you are to still be here to witness nature's beauty, to still be able to feel. You think to yourself -

"Life is still the most beautiful thing I've seen."

Sitting there for hours, you feel the freest you've ever felt.