The small girl had always loved water. The way it moves could be vicious and unpredictable, or gentle and lustful, enchantingly unforeseeable.
She grew up on a small island, completely secluded from the outside world. The girl had never thought twice about why she was the only human inhabitant on the island, as she never felt lonely. The boundless ocean made her feel small, but free as well.
The girl always had the company of the water surrounding her. She would become angry when the sea became angry. She would become sad when rain fell. She would convey her very emotions alongside the water.
She loved how the rain would lace the island's smell in crisp, fresh air. She spent hours sitting on the cliffs of her home, letting the frustrated waves spray over her. She loved how the waves would continuously crash down on the weathered rocks. So eager for success, yet the water would be held from it's goal of surpassing the island by the cliffside every single time.
The sea would change color, too. Occasionally, once every season, sporadic patches of the far blue color would change to a vibrant pink. She never questioned the wonderful phenomenon, only enjoying the view from an oak tree branch by the cliffs. The azure sky above her would capture the vast sea beneath her so well, almost obscure, yet in a hopelessly exquisite way.
The girl never had a bad dream. They were all filled with joy and wonder, when she could rarely remember them. Filled with the kind animals of her home, all kinds of water spread before her chestnut eyes.
The animals were very kind to the girl. They brought her food, led her to safety during storms, and even trusted her with few of the island's secrets. They had a trusting and comforting relationship. The girl once nursed a baby raven back from the brink of death. And so, she would always be drawn to life. Anything moving, anything resembling a being filled with energy.
One day, while the girl was swimming in her precious sea, a small shimmer caught her eye. She moved toward it, but lost sight of the light soon enough. The light looked almost like the glittering scales of a fish, reflecting scarce sunlight from above her.
Just when the girl was close to losing interest, the green light once again flew across her vision.
The girl swam after the light, curious eyes never leaving the newly discovered sight. Inching deeper and deeper into the dark water, the shimmering green soon became her only source of light. And once again, the light left her vision.
It left her confused, still curious and lusting for the sudden expansion of her sea knowledge. What was she following?
But, before the girl could dig deeper into her mind, a burning sensation in her chest brought her to reality. The girl first realized just how far she had strayed from land. And, more importantly, the surface. As she continued to sink to the deep of the sea, a piercing fear rose to her throat.
What could be below her?
The girl had never experienced having swam so far, and there were too many unknowns weighing on her mind. How could the girl not be frightened by this?
With the sudden urge to take a breath, the girl let her arms rise above her head. She pushed back down again, all the while kicking her legs to move upward. She thought it was upward, at least. In such a purely dark and cold environment, who could tell?
In time, the pressure increased on her body. The girl felt lightheaded and heavy, her will to breath becoming nearly unbearable. The girl's small strength left her body within what felt like hours. In reality, it was only minutes.
The girl stopped moving when she saw something unexpected.
A small light, dancing around her. It looked so joyful, full of life and energy. It warmed her heart to see such a happy sight. It flared with colors, every shade of green, blue, and yellow.
The girl reached out to the spotty colors, but they jumped away from her.
They continued to do so with her every movement, teasing her with false hope.
And as the girl's eyelids fell heavy, she finally felt them. Warm and welcoming, as if longing for the girl's protection and love.
She, too, longed for the warmth and protection of the light, as she descended into darkness.
