No Strings Attached

His legs feel strange, unstable, palsied. Keep moving! He thinks, stumbling through the darkness. His stomach twists in a restrictive knot. He feels his face grow hot. Fear pulls at his shoulders. He tells himself to move faster. His knees are weak, and wobbly. Gathering his strength he breaks out in a full sprint. His fists clench. There's something in his hand. It cuts at his palm. Without slowing he brings his hand in front of him. Peeling his fingers back he peers down to see what it might be. Suddenly his foot catches on something. The momentum sends him crashing hard against the pavement. He throws out his arms to break the fall. The object, unseen, is sent hurling into the night, tinkering as it skips across the pavement. Slamming down hard upon the gravel streets a searing pain streaks through his right hand.