3/1/2018

I laid down, the tears dripping from my cheeks speckling my pillow. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to forget the world around me. I shook silently in the dark. What happened? I never wanted this.

I felt a hand touch my shoulder. I flinched away, hiding my face.

"Please don't cry," came a voice as sweet and smooth as vanilla tea.

I opened my swollen eyes, for I did not recognise the voice now trying to comfort me. I was shocked—hadn't I just been in my dark room? And yet there I lay in a grassy field, the sun shining down on me as a spring breeze danced merrily with the wildflowers. And then my eyes met those of the woman in front of me.

She was tall and slender, clad in a dress of emerald silk. Her auburn hair fell in elegant braids around her pointed ears. And her eyes were the colour of honey, gorgeous orbs of warmth that I wanted nothing more than to dive into and be safe from all harm.

She smiled at me, her thin lips curling up so regally at the corners. "Are you okay?" she asked. She bent down, extending a pale arm towards me.

I had no idea who she was, and yet I suddenly trusted her completely. I took her arm—what a grip she had! She lifted me to my feet, her thin frame belying the true strength underneath. I simply gazed at her, until her eyes reminded me that she'd asked a question.

I tried to speak, but my voice declined. With a persistent cough, I managed, softly, "I...don't know." I looked down, realising that her hand rested in mine, and butterflies filled my stomach. "Who are you?" I croaked.

She cocked her head to one side. "O, young one, what has happened to you? Do you not even remember my name?"

My eyes watered once more. I knew her? Why couldn't I remember? As a tear ran down my face, she lifted her other hand and stroked my cheek with a touch like cloud. She pulled me close, wrapping me in a warm, loving embrace. My pain didn't care that I didn't know who she was. I buried my face in her shoulder and wept.

So gently she rubbed the back of my head. "There, there," she whispered, her voice like a song. "Everything will be alright. You just need time to remember."

She put her hands on my cheeks and gazed directly into my eyes. What a pitiful sight I must have been, my face splotchy red and tear stains on my cheeks. But she leaned forward and pressed her lips to my forehead, and I closed my eyes and sighed like all the air in my lungs had escaped. "Come back to Mythos," she crooned. I pulled her closer, never wanting to leave her side.

When I opened my eyes, I found only my pillow in my arms.