• The blisters on the soles on my feet that were uncomfortably crammed into a pair of waterlogged runners felt like they were on fire. I clenched my teeth, baring the pain. I squinted my eyes in a vain attempt at seeing through the sheets of falling rain. I was cold and alone.

    The squelch of my tired, wet shoes against the dark pavement of the alleyway kept me alert. The disgusting sound reminded me that this was real, that I really was alone in the middle of the night in some sketchy alleyway. I sighed. I could practically feel the bags under my eyes sagging under the weight of so much exhaustion.

    Nervously, I cast a quick look in either direction before carelessly slamming my back against the worn, graffitied wall and sliding down it. My rear landed on the damp pavement, but I didn't care. Every inch of me was soaked anyways.

    I looked over to the streetlight, fickering as the bulb struggled to survive. It was as if I could hear its desperate pleas for salvation, heartbreaking because I knew would never come. It would be merely cast aside when it became obsolete.

    My chest tightened. That dreaded, evil word- Obsolete - how it haunted me. My fingers dug into my thighs. I stared down at a slowly expanding puddle in front of me, my eyes dark with frustration.

    If only that puddle were deeper, I thought bitterly Then I could just drown myself and end it all. With a shiver, I huddled in closer. The rain was relentless.

    And yet, even in my agitated and unsightly state, I could still find the beauty in it. After rollercoasting through a loud day of fateful phonecalls and heartbreaking emails, the peaceful aura of the rain enveloped me. My creased, hardened brow smoothed and my eyes returned to their natural size. My muscles relaxed.

    I closed my eyes and listened.

    I was alone in sweet silence. No worries, just the gentle sound of raindrops pattering on rooves, roads, asphault and dripping into to puddles. I slowly reached out my hand and dipped my index finger into the puddle in front of me. I withdrew it and watched the ripples dance and recede across its surface.

    I looked over the to road that seemed so far away. It was the door back to my grim reality. I grudgingly realised that I had to return to it and that this soft, dreamlike world of complete solitude would disapear no matter what I did.

    I wiped my red eyes, pulled myself up the wall and brushed dirt from my jeans. I took one step, but paused. The sky, though moonless and starless was beautiful. It was so simple and comforting. I felt a gentle smile grace my lips for a moment, then disapear.

    It was time to return to my world; I knew this all too well. So again, I began my trek homeward, braving the elements and the pain in my feet and heart. The sound of cars returned and as did obnoxious neon lights of the city. I groaned in displeasure, but kept a thought very close as I sauntered down the road home.

    I had forgotten my burdens and been at peace. Even if it were for just a moment, that moment would remain precious to me forever.

    That moment I spent in the healing tranquillity of rain.