The Water Prophet

Glistening, shimmering, shining, and calling. Innocent as it looks, it is not so. And yet, despite all the dangers I know it has to offer, I still feel the undying need to know more.

It speaks to me, tells me sweet lies. I find myself gazing upon it just to hear its sheik whispers.

The water prophet. My gift and my birthright. My abilities are rare. No other on the earth can possibly do as I. But with this powerful gift, comes a price. With every vision, every water sprit I speak, a piece of me is lost to the water. First my memories, then my life force, and finally my body. This is how it is, this is how it will be just as it has been for generations, it is inescapable, it is destiny, it is me.

Living by the phases of the moon, I should have known that a red moon meant changes. But I was young I didn’t understand how the moon affected the water, and therefore affected me. Living alone for most of my life, with the last dying words of my mother echoing in my head.

“Stay away from the water…”she would whisper with glazed lifeless eyes “Ignore the calling…”

I grew up, fearing, and hating the thing that took my mother from me. But I knew my fear would one day turn to curiosity. So it did…when the moons light was it’s fullest and the rains brought floods of crystal showers. Creating glimmering, mirroring puddles. That was the first time I heard its whisper.

Softly at first, I hid inside my bed. My head tucked under the covers hands at my ears. Waiting for it to pass. But as the day wore on my head began to spin with lies of perfection, of bliss, and of a chance to see my mother again. I stood at the edge of my door mesmerized by its sheer glory. It seemed to sparkle. I wanted to see more. I crawled on my hands and feet closer. Inch by inch, closer and closer. Like a cat stalking its prey. Little did I know I was the prey.

I crept closer, peering over the edge, watching as at first I saw my reflection. And then, it changed.

The water no longer showed me, it instead showed deeper waters then imaginable. Dark blues and light turquoise with silver currents. It showed me a world that both scared and intrigued me.

I couldn’t stop looking and I didn’t really want to try. I was mesmerized. I was captured inside those deep blue waters, trapped within the silver puddle. Trapped within the water.

My nose a mere inches from the surface my eyes squinting trying to see farther, deeper, just a bit more. Suddenly I felt my body go numb, like ice, frosting my veins. And I fell into the water. Down and down, deeper, darker. What was a puddle was now an ocean. Fish, and animals I had never seen before swimming by me like silver darts. I held my breath. Trying to find a way back to the surface of what was once my home, but to no avail.

My head spinning, my eyesight starting to blur, I franticly tried to find the surface. But the water seemed to go up and up. Feeling defeated, knowing this was the end. I should have listened! My stupidity led to my death. I let out what was sure to be my last dying breath. The cool water enters my lungs sharply. My conciseness begins to fade. The world becomes a blend of blues and greens, a pastel painting in the rain. Then everything just fades away…

Sharp pain rivets over my body. I reluctantly open my eyes. The crimson gold of a setting sun blankets me. The air was heavy and quiet. The sound of crickets and a warm breeze through the trees serenaded me. Startled and confused I ran through the events of today. Nothing made any sense.

Time passed and I listened to the silence. Then it hit me, silence? I haven’t heard silence since Mother died. I look around. The puddle was gone. Leaving not a trace that it was even there. But my clothes are damp. I am supposed to be dead. What had happened in the water? The breeze kissed my cheek softly, bringing a waft of a familiar scent. Smelling like warm honey, only Mother wore that sent. Mother? I looked toward the sky. Smiling with tears in my eyes. Whispering a soft thank you…