*Vanessa*

Panic courses through me, and my breathing is erratic as I try to calm myself down. My sling bag has thankfully remained strapped to my torso, but I’m very careful not to move in any way that will allow it to fall off.

The journey here so far has already depleted so much of my energy that the strain of my body weight immediately burns my muscles.

I close my eyes against the pain in my arms, against the ache of my chest, ...