Sunfish

Sunlight streams down through the trees, dappled specks of gold dancing through the clearing. A small fish leaps out of the lake,

silver,

shining,

splendid.

It falls with a plop.

Arina sits on a rock at the edge of the lake, her knees drawn to her chest. She watches the fish, and the sun. Honey gold hair flows down her back. intelligent, watchfull green eyes glow in the afternoon light. Her face is small, her body is small. She's prettyish, but above all there is a wild, untamed way about her. Even as she sits still, she seems to drift in and out of focus, she blends with the lake, and the trees and the grass...

And the fish in the sunlight.

....................

Beneath the surface. There is an new world.

Of monsters

And wonder

And evil

And magic.

The trees are safe, they are part of the water, but they warn of its dangers.

The lake is still.

Arina stands from her rock. Her arms are spread out like wings, a gentle wind blows through her hair, her fingers trace patterns in the air. She closes her eyes.

The trees are whispering, they are warning her.

Come back to the forest, we can guard you, we will protect you.

Arina loves her trees, she knows they love her too.

She shakes her head.

She lets out a breath.

She dives.

There is a splash. The trees are in a panic, they cannot find their daughter.

She is lost.

.............................

It is dark. A strange darkness, one without stars.

Arina is afraid. She has never been afraid before. The trees kept her safe.

Long tendrils of water weed brush along her arms and face. They don't whisper like the trees do, they gurgle, almost silently. They are fluid, and peaceful.

Arina needs something, needs the openness of above. Her chest is tight, it begins to ache. She clutches at the rubbery plants, pleading.

Help me.

Relax is what they tell her. The water smothers fear,

be still,

be calm,

be fluid.

Arina stops struggling, tries to be still.

She opens her mouth. She breaths.

The water weed is gentle, it talks a different language than the trees above. But it's kind, it will keep her safe for now.

Arina closes her eyes.

She sleeps.

.............................