Shadow at the Water's edge.

The Girl

Alex slowly became aware that something was dripping. A slow, constant "plop...plop...plop" echoed strangely, and he briefly thought of a leaking faucet. But his brain refused to process anything properly, he was barely conscious, just enough to register certain senses. 

He could hear the dripping water, he could feel cool air caressing his damp skin, and he felt pain. It shot through his body like a lightning bolt. His entire right leg felt like it was on fire, and his head throbbed painfully. 

He tried to roll over, and fiery agony lit up his entire body. He moaned in pain and relaxed, lying on his back again. 

His body was lying on something cold and hard...and wet. It felt like...stone? Was he in a cave? How did he get here? He was still not conscious enough to open his eyes, so he just laid there. 

He started, realizing he had dropped into unconsciousness again. He was more aware now, and the pain in his leg had faded into a burning numbness.

He heard something, the faintest of sounds, more like a vibration on the stone floor. He laid perfectly still, knowing that in his current condition feigning unconsciousness would be his safest bet.  

He listened intently as something moved toward him, and if he didn't know better he would have said someone was walking barefoot on the stone. Whatever it was, it stopped beside him. He tried to calm his heart and breathe normally...and then he felt it.

Cool fingertips slowly brushed the wet curls off his forehead, the hand lingered on his temple, very softly caressing his face.

He couldn't take the suspense anymore, and opened his eyes. 

He was indeed in a subterranean cavern. There was a pool about three feet to his right, and a strange blue glow illuminated the cave. Alex gasped as he saw a girl sitting beside him.

She was breathtakingly beautiful; long chocolate brown hair cascaded down over her shoulders in waves, her skin was tanned and perfectly smooth. She had long legs tucked under her, and a white gown on. But it was her eyes that caught his attention, almost unnaturally large, portals, swirling with all of the colors of the ocean, although at first glance they would appear just green.

She looked to be around his age. But there was something about her eyes that made him think she was much older.

Her hand was still lightly resting on his cheek, and she slowly traced his jaw, reaching his chin she softly brushed her fingertips down to the hollow at the base of his neck, sending shivers up his spine, but not a bad shiver.

She paused, and lightly circled the hollow, sending more shivers through Alex. She traced his collar bone and then paused on his chest. She rested her hand against the left side of his chest, gently pressing her palm against his wet shirt. 

In that moment of stillness, Alex could feel his heart beating under the gentle pressure of her palm, and he knew she could feel it too. 

He tried to sit up, but only succeeded in re-awakening the agony in his leg. He let out a cry of pain and his body immediately tensed, reacting to the shock. 

The girl pressed her palm a little harder on his chest and leaned over him, her head hovering just inches above his, she stared into his blue eyes, hers alive with color and movement, like they held the ocean in them.

She very softly pressed her lips against his forehead, and the world slowly faded away into darkness once more.

                                                                                    *   *   *