The Person I Desired to Be (On Going)

0. Once upon a time, now gone

The ocean and outer space—two boundless realms, so beautiful, so dark, and so dangerous. Homes to depths untouched by light, domains where creatures dwell. Each current carries secrets, and every wave brings disaster. A sea of stars stretches in silent infinity, consuming all who dare to cross it.

Untouched darkness, eternal solitude, and relentless dangers will await without warning for anyone bold enough to grasp their boundlessness. One wrong step, and a soul will be lost, pulled into an abyss with no end in sight.

And they... will never return what they have claimed.

Zariah could only shake her head. "Ugh... You'd better read that book instead... I'm recommending it to you. The one about a knight. I'm getting a headache listening to all that."

Carena sighed, "Oh, come on, why? It's exciting, you know!"

Zariah scrunched her nose, staring at Carena. "But it's just so... complicated! Who cares about dark, dangerous places with, uh, creatures and waves that swallow things? I'd rather read about brave knights or, I don't know, dragons that spit fire."

Carena's eyes sparkled. "But Zariah, don't you ever wonder? Like, what if we could jump into space? Or swim down to the bottom of the ocean?" She put the book to the ground and continue swinging. "There's so much we don't know yet. It's like... mystery treasure! You like money right?"

Zariah sighed, then gave her a small smile. "You're way too curious, you know that? If we ever got stuck in some scary, dark place, I'd have to pull you out."

Carena laughed. "I wouldn't need saving!" She said swinging higher.

"Oh, really?" Zariah crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Then who was it who got 'lost' last month on our walk to the old tree?"

Carena looked away, cheeks a little red. "That... that was just because I got distracted by that butterfly!"

Zariah laughed and gave her a playful shove. "See? You always need someone to keep you from getting carried away. Besides, that butterfly doesn't even exist."

"It exist!! I saw it!"

"No you don't!" As Carena and Zariah continue to play on the swings in the park and their feet kicking up dust, they saw Kailani jogging over, her pigtails bouncing with each step.

"Hey, Kailani!" Zariah called, waving her arms energetically. "You wanna try the slide again?"

Carena grinned. "That's a good idea! We can do a race again."

Kailani shot them a confident look, hands on her hips. "Of course, I'm not afraid of that slide. You two always scream like babies!"

Zariah rolled her eyes. "You wish. Last time you were the one who screamed."

Kailani blushed, "It's not my fault that it's so tall!" She tries to be angry but can't quite pull off the right expression.

Carena giggled, shaking her head. "You two are so dramatic." She swung higher, almost as if she could fly. "Who's ready to race to the top of the jungle gym?"

Kailani crossed her arms. "You know I'm faster than both of you."

Zariah raised an eyebrow. "Says the girl who trips over her own feet when she's not looking."

Kailani scowled playfully, then took a running start. "Alright, race you there! Last one's a rotten egg!"

Carena and Zariah immediately jumped off the swings, running after her with loud giggles and shouts. The three of them climbed the jungle gym with all the energy only 10-year-olds could have, pushing and laughing as they scrambled to the top. Kailani reached the top first, but she wasn't stopping.