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Finally, freedom, I’d never felt so alive. I twirled like a child taking in each sound as if were a first. Stopping mid spin, I began to claw at the ribbons that laced the front of my gown. Which was a little tattered. I couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of the twigs and assorted whatnot that had collected at it’s hem. I’d ditched my shoes long ago. My feet were a little tender from the uneven surface they had carried me across, yet at the same time tingling, drawing in the earths magic. I reached for the zip in the back of the dress, stretching my arm, as it slid it down exposing my body, pilling in a heap around my feet. I was still for a moment, processings my thoughts. I felt as though for the first time in a long while that I might be able to do this. Stepping over the dress, I bent and gathered it in my arms. Cradling it tenderly like a child. The river was still running fast, I threw my dress, it flailed above the the river momentarily then landed on its surface. It’s golden fabric glittering in the breaking dawn sun. I watched as it quickly washed downstream. Undoubtedly it would be found hooked on a log or some other jutting debris.

I was somewhat distressed when I made my dramatic exit. I had also consumed my fair share of champagne. But now my excitement was hard to contain. There I stood in my skin coloured underwear, for all intents and purposes I was a blank canvas. Looking towards the road, I knew I had to leave now, with each step a hurried plan formulating...