Mystery
I was in a long dark hallway; behind me the light of outside was fading fast, growing ever smaller. A thick, sweet smell filled my nostrils and I heard the lapping of waves. Suddenly, I was plunged into darkness. My heart beat faster but I kept walking and I became very tense; I would be ready to run at the sight of any danger. My footsteps echo around me, making it seem like millions of people were beside me. I stopped and a bright light filled the cave, blinding me. I blinked, trying to get the white spots in front of me to disappear. When they were gone, I gasped, for there in front of me were stone steps leading downward; about five steps water lapped at the stone. The top of the water was covered in what seemed to be snow, but it wasn’t. It was just foam, and as a tiny wave rose up and crashed into it, the foam shattered into a million pieces which all floated away. A handrail was protruding from the cave wall, I grasped it; its surface was cool and slick under my warm hand. I took a step down; the first step was cool and the stone was actually mildly soft clay. It oozed up between my toes, making me feel relaxed. I took another step, but this time the clay was slippery and I almost fell. I put my other foot down more carefully, and I descended slowly, always feeling the step lightly before placing my foot on it. I just starting to relax again, when I took another step and my foot plunged into ankle deep water. I did not cringe or pull back, for the water was warm. It lapped around my ankles and a tingling sensation started to travel up my legs. They felt full of energy, but it was followed by numbness that traveled up my legs and, like a candle flame dipped in water, my energy was put out.
I traveled down more, until I slipped under the water. Everything was quiet and my long hair floated around me; making complex designs. I reached out with my arms and in a slowly gentle movement, started to swim. The water rushed past my warm cheeks as I twirled and spun around and around. Slowly, I started to float up and, reaching the surface, I broke out of the water. A cool breeze gently caressed my cheeks as I looked around. I was no longer in the cave: I was in the middle of a calm sea. Suddenly, it hit me: I was in the middle of an ocean with no one else around. I panicked and beat at the water, screaming for help. Frightened, I dived back under the water, the peacefulness cleared my mind and soon I came back up for air. I looked around once more and I saw a light, wooden box floating nearby. I swam over to it and saw that it was covered with slimy green mold; I could just make out the intricate, designs carved onto the top. I reached out and pulled lightly on the lock that sealed the box, it broke and fell into the dark water. Slowly, I lifted the old lid and peered inside. A golden locket attached to a shining chain lay at the bottom, it shone with beauty and in one swift movement I reached in and slipped it around my neck. It was cold and very heavy but I put it around my neck where it slid under my t-shirt. I leaned against the box, exhausted and scared. I wouldn’t survive long out here, a sharp wind had started to blow cutting through my wet cotton clothing. I climbed into the box; it was a tight space but it sheltered my feet and legs from the wind and I wouldn’t have to work to stay afloat. The box sank lower, the water danced around me, in pretty little patterns. It had seemed so friendly earlier, so gentle and kind; now I knew better than to trust those miniature waves of dancing light. They had pulled me, entranced, into the water and had led me into the middle of a sea. The sun slowly sank, casting an orange glow around me.
Suddenly, the waves and sun started to blur together as a room took its place. I was standing in a sturdy wood cabin that smelled of herbs and I could hear the waves crashing down against a beach outside. My eyes slowly drifted across the room until they came to rest upon a man who was knelt before me. My eyes met his deep, chocolate brown ones and I realized I must have been day dreaming. My hand went up to my neck and I felt a thin golden chain leading to a pure gold locket that lay against warm skin. I was confused but I soon forgot all about the locket when my eyes traveled up his muscularly arm that was outstretched toward me. On his hand lay a small, delicate ring. It was pure gold and jumping dolphins in a beautiful sea had been carved into it. My memory flooded back; this was Cody. We had been in love for the past few months and now, in a cabin by the sea he had bought for me, he had asked me to marry him. In one swift movement I took the ring from him and slipped it on. As I held it up, it gleamed in the light that was shining through the window. As I flicked my hair out of my eyes I said one final, pure word: “Yes.”
I was in a long dark hallway; behind me the light of outside was fading fast, growing ever smaller. A thick, sweet smell filled my nostrils and I heard the lapping of waves. Suddenly, I was plunged into darkness. My heart beat faster but I kept walking and I became very tense; I would be ready to run at the sight of any danger. My footsteps echo around me, making it seem like millions of people were beside me. I stopped and a bright light filled the cave, blinding me. I blinked, trying to get the white spots in front of me to disappear. When they were gone, I gasped, for there in front of me were stone steps leading downward; about five steps water lapped at the stone. The top of the water was covered in what seemed to be snow, but it wasn’t. It was just foam, and as a tiny wave rose up and crashed into it, the foam shattered into a million pieces which all floated away. A handrail was protruding from the cave wall, I grasped it; its surface was cool and slick under my warm hand. I took a step down; the first step was cool and the stone was actually mildly soft clay. It oozed up between my toes, making me feel relaxed. I took another step, but this time the clay was slippery and I almost fell. I put my other foot down more carefully, and I descended slowly, always feeling the step lightly before placing my foot on it. I just starting to relax again, when I took another step and my foot plunged into ankle deep water. I did not cringe or pull back, for the water was warm. It lapped around my ankles and a tingling sensation started to travel up my legs. They felt full of energy, but it was followed by numbness that traveled up my legs and, like a candle flame dipped in water, my energy was put out.
I traveled down more, until I slipped under the water. Everything was quiet and my long hair floated around me; making complex designs. I reached out with my arms and in a slowly gentle movement, started to swim. The water rushed past my warm cheeks as I twirled and spun around and around. Slowly, I started to float up and, reaching the surface, I broke out of the water. A cool breeze gently caressed my cheeks as I looked around. I was no longer in the cave: I was in the middle of a calm sea. Suddenly, it hit me: I was in the middle of an ocean with no one else around. I panicked and beat at the water, screaming for help. Frightened, I dived back under the water, the peacefulness cleared my mind and soon I came back up for air. I looked around once more and I saw a light, wooden box floating nearby. I swam over to it and saw that it was covered with slimy green mold; I could just make out the intricate, designs carved onto the top. I reached out and pulled lightly on the lock that sealed the box, it broke and fell into the dark water. Slowly, I lifted the old lid and peered inside. A golden locket attached to a shining chain lay at the bottom, it shone with beauty and in one swift movement I reached in and slipped it around my neck. It was cold and very heavy but I put it around my neck where it slid under my t-shirt. I leaned against the box, exhausted and scared. I wouldn’t survive long out here, a sharp wind had started to blow cutting through my wet cotton clothing. I climbed into the box; it was a tight space but it sheltered my feet and legs from the wind and I wouldn’t have to work to stay afloat. The box sank lower, the water danced around me, in pretty little patterns. It had seemed so friendly earlier, so gentle and kind; now I knew better than to trust those miniature waves of dancing light. They had pulled me, entranced, into the water and had led me into the middle of a sea. The sun slowly sank, casting an orange glow around me.
Suddenly, the waves and sun started to blur together as a room took its place. I was standing in a sturdy wood cabin that smelled of herbs and I could hear the waves crashing down against a beach outside. My eyes slowly drifted across the room until they came to rest upon a man who was knelt before me. My eyes met his deep, chocolate brown ones and I realized I must have been day dreaming. My hand went up to my neck and I felt a thin golden chain leading to a pure gold locket that lay against warm skin. I was confused but I soon forgot all about the locket when my eyes traveled up his muscularly arm that was outstretched toward me. On his hand lay a small, delicate ring. It was pure gold and jumping dolphins in a beautiful sea had been carved into it. My memory flooded back; this was Cody. We had been in love for the past few months and now, in a cabin by the sea he had bought for me, he had asked me to marry him. In one swift movement I took the ring from him and slipped it on. As I held it up, it gleamed in the light that was shining through the window. As I flicked my hair out of my eyes I said one final, pure word: “Yes.”
Asked Dec 01, 2010
3
