Encounter

Click here to view the image that prompted this story.

The first thing she noticed was that she wasn’t drowning anymore.

Nor was she tied up anymore either. She slowly opened her eyes to see colorful butterflies graze past her as they made their way to a bright sky above. She seemed to be floating in the air, but descending to unknown depths.

Her movements still felt sluggish, as if she were dancing in water. But she felt unusually fine, even invigorated, and each breath she took had a hint of cinnamon and apples.

A faint ray lighted her path downward as she gently willed herself to accept her new reality. Bubbles would make their way past her and pop before she had the chance to touch them. Their little bursts were often accompanied by a few lyrical notes and an explosion of colors.

As she continued her descent, she noticed the growing darkness and started to feel afraid. What was happening? Where was she going? Would this ever end?

Just then, a small bird, one of the many that streamed past, stopped right before her. It looked into her eyes, and she felt the entire world freeze between them.

“Daniela.”

The bird whispered her name, its voice echoing in the quiet space. She felt tears fall from her eyes as the bird continued to stare at her intently. With a sudden wave of its wing, it flew away, and everything started moving again.

With increasing sobs, she slowly plunged deeper and deeper into the darkness.

–

Image source: deviantart.com/krisahe/art/Encounter-708147221
First written October 12, 2017.
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