Crimson Feathers

sei.

In front of Evalina was the ocean, shimmering like a pool of expensive indigo sapphires. The horizon was a blaze of fiery orange, with the sun gradually lowering itself into the water, sizzling the ocean upon entry. Climbing barefoot up the jagged, uneven rocks, defiantly trying to reach the top of the cliff, the heel of her foot was pierced by a sharpness she had failed to notice. Blood slowly seeped out of the wound, creating a trail of sickly red as she continued up the cliff, oblivious to the pain.

The afternoon sun had left the rocks warm to the touch. Evalina's golden olive skin, a result of many hours labouring in the fields under the sun, was glowing as she hastily ascended. The hemline of the raggedy scarlet coloured dress kept getting caught on the sharp bits of the cliff. In frustration, she tore off once beautiful hand tailored gown, not pausing to watch as it fell down the cliff and disappeared into the foam of broken waves below. Evalina continued up, wearing only her dirty white underclothes, and suddenly felt a sense of pride that she was vigorous enough to make the journey. The feeling passed quickly though and as she reached the top of the cliff, she collapsed on the rocky bed, watching as the last rays of the sun disappeared.

Down below, the waves had stopped crashing and the water was tranquil. Evalina could see her gown floating but as the material sunk further below the water it resembled the shadow of a lurking sea creature. With the sun no longer in the sky, night time came and the sparkling blue ocean slowly changed into an inky, almost oil-like texture. The calmness of the water declined to have an effect on Evalina's spirit, neither did the silence that surrounded her, and as her thoughts swirled around in her mind, she shook with anger. Her heel had stopped bleeding, but a deep red clot of blood remained around the wound. The stinging of the wound added to her fury and as the stress of her anger built up inside her, she let out a lengthy ear-splitting screech.

The sudden noise awoke a flock of birds, who rustled around in the bushes nearby, then took off, filling the grey sky with tiny spots of colour, before vanishing from sight. Evalina stood up and reached out her arms in the direction of the birds, wishing she could go with them, and wishing that, she too, could vanish. Almost trance-like, Evalina lifted her blood encrusted foot, and balanced on one leg, with her toes hanging off the cliff ledge. She closed her eyes and raised her arms like a bird about to set flight. Her heart was beating in anticipation.

Evalina held her breath and let herself fall forward, off the cliff, and as she rapidly plunged towards the murky water, the fury inside her perished. She did not struggle as the explosion of her body penetrated the water but let herself stay flaccid. The icy shock of the cold water changed her skin a numb blue as she slowly sank into the seemingly bottomless pit. No longer holding her breath, Evalina took in gulps of salty water, causing her throat and air passages to close, as her survival instincts kicked in. With oxygen no longer being able to reach her brain, her heart rate deteriorated and unconsciousness slowly set in.

Submerging, almost surreally, she saw various sinister shapes of ocean life move among the murky water. She had no urge to kick her legs and thrust herself up and out of this suffocating nightmare. As she continued to dreamily fall through the dark depths of water, she glanced up above. She could just make out the hazy glow of the luminous moon, until the glow faded, and she was left in darkness.