Response 6

-4,-3
The more I walk, the less frightening the
darkness seems. I can hear droplets of water
coming up ahead, I can touch the sides of the
cave when I get to an especially narrow bit, I
can smell Earth. All this combined makes me
feel like there was nothing to be afraid of in the
first place: I feel at peace.
My headtorch is the only thing illuminating my path.
I am aware of every movement I make, every sound I
can hear, and everything I can feel and smell. Once I
have passed something, it becomes less terrifying as
there is nothing unexpected that can jump out at me.
Being alone with nothing but my thoughts is beginning
to feel like catharsis for me. There is nothing I can
think of other than darkness, and in some odd way, I
find that comforting. All my other issues are gone and I
only have to focus on this one.
After walking for what feels like hours, eventually
I am able to see sunlight flooding in. Strangely,
a feeling of disappointment overcomes me, and
I am reluctant to leave: the peace I found here
doesn’t match anything I have felt before and I
am worried I will never be able to replicate that.
Maybe the unknown in darkness can
provide insight that nothing else can.