Till The Moon Shines

Surface Waters

TW FOR THIS CHAPTER: SUICIDE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

As the rustling of crisp leaves approaches, I see a woman walking towards this bridge with a bundle of clothes in her hands. Peculiar.

Leaning on the railing I wait for her to arrive. She looks down at the tranquil river. Probably wondering if this river can provide her with the peace someone else failed to.

She notices me but does not deem me worthy of her attention. The only thing I catch from her is relief upon finding out I am a woman too. I wonder if this girl would stay unfazed when she knows I am not human.

She stands on the edge of the bridge, holding the bundle close to her chest. 

She extends her arms to throw it in the river and the fabric rustles, two twinkling eyes peeking out. It's not easy to let go of a part of your flesh and blood, is it?

And it hurts more than taking your own life, for regret lasts longer than pain. I am no god who can renounce her from suffering, but a demon who makes one devoid of regrets. Amounting to a price, needless to say.

"Why do you fear death?" As expected, the woman is caught off guard by my sudden introspection and lack of salutations. 

"H-huh?"

"I asked why do you fear death?"

She looks at her child who she had sheltered a little too well from the cold. "I don't."

I raise the obvious question, "Then why are you afraid of the river? And if you're not you should be. Death by drowning is utter helplessness and agony."

She looks at me with tear-filled eyes, "How much time does it take for one to die by drowning? I mean, you look- like you fight..." She says looking at my sword "So... I thought you would- know." I did not ask for an explanation though, but it's okay, she is scared. Any scared person will defend themselves.

I smile. Call it the innocence in her eyes or the foolishness of her words. "Less than a minute. For you."

The mother and her child have the same pure eyes, glinting with the innocence of ignorance. But the faint curve of my lips disappears as the next words slip through hers,

"Your smile is beautiful," I stare at her blankly, and try to study her thoroughly. 

"That... does not answer my question"

"You're not a human, right?" She asks with a nihilistic smile. 

She looks purely domesticated, by merely glancing at her hands I can tell she has never held a sword. And me, my body is devoid of the scent belonging to a demon. I wonder how she knew. Intuition of a woman? Of course! "I asked why do you fear death?"

"And I answered. I said I don't." Her voice is delicate, and so is her smile. Her eyes however, a puzzle. Emotions are read by fears and desires, and one who plans to take a step like hers is full of fear to the brim. So full that the glass may seem empty. It's only when you lift the glass it's weight is realised. And about desire, such people desire nothing but peace.

"Then tell me why do you not fear death?" 

She playfully pinches me with her words again, "But I have a question waiting in line, you're not a human, right?" 

"And how could you tell?" I smile.

"A woman standing with no fear in the middle of a forest, alone... where robbers and demons reside, cannot be a human." She holds her child more firmly in her arms, perhaps without realising it. A mother's instincts are self-regulating and it's evident. "It is said that anyone who passes this bridge after sunset never returns. Are you a vengeful spirit? or the spirit of this river killing anyone who crosses your property?"