I made my way between the entangled trees, towards the light. I could hear the birds chirping, crickets and cicadas calling as I glimpsed the magnificent hills between the partings of the branches. Despite the darkness and unseen chaotic mess of the forest floor, I made my way towards the opening without fear. This area was part of my secret playground; I knew this area like the back of my hand. I broke through the darkness and emerged into the sunlight. The day was absolutely glamorous, the beautiful blue skies filled with careless fluffy clouds and the flower covered hills that stretched as far as the eyes could see. I knew my mum would be waiting for me so I started running for the valley behind the hills. My hands ran through the tall, soft, green grass and a slight breezed pushed me along as I wondered if father was back from work. I barely saw him these days. As my thoughts wandered to food the wind suddenly changed directions and pushed me back. I was startled, not because of the sudden force, but because the wind had carried a ghastly scent of scorched meat and wood. Something didn’t feel right so I pushed myself forward and scrambled up the slope. I reached the top where it over looked the mountains and valleys and my small town. I looked down and gasped in horror at the scene that met me. I fell to my knees and my cold hands gripped the grass. I couldn’t believe my eyes. My town was in ruins. I could see several small craters that had taken away chunks of it, houses and shops were burning. I could see the wisp of the last of the poisonous gas escape into the air. I could not hear a sound. Not the familiar echo of the church bell ringing happily in the valleys, not the sound of music that was played every year during our spring festival, not the sound of laughter drifting up the hills. The silence was deafening. I knew deep in my heart that no one would have survived in that wreckage. In there, among the rubble lay my family, my friends. My heart pounded painfully in my chest as the realisation of what had happened hit me. I felt the tears well up in my eyes and I covered my face with my trembling hands. I couldn’t believe it, I just couldn’t. Another gust of wind brought the stench up my nose and I choked. Suddenly I felt my body shaking and I heard a voice calling my name and I opened my eyes.