~ moonlight ~

Instructions

~ moonlight ~ I look around and gather my surroundings, taking in the darkness and the light around me. The forest at night is a mess of colours - my light illuminates flowers, but the darkness takes their stems. I see the brown bark of the trees, but the leaves are a dark green-black. I continue moving, the lantern burning down as I do. Soon, I'm nearly stumbling, grabbing the branches to support me and feeling where I step before I step there. I reach a clearing - the moon is bright and my lantern is nearly dead. I make for the centre, where the moon is brightest. Here my lantern is absolutely useless and I throw it aside. I am still walking as a cloud covers the moon, but in the middle of a step so I put my foot down. Bad idea. I go tumbling down, hitting my knee, my arm, my leg. It takes forever to fall! Or is that just because it's a narrow tunnel and I'm hitting the edges? Either way, it takes a long time for me to hit the floor. Thankfully, I land on my knee - no head-first tumbling for me! The energy propels me forward, so I end up hitting the wall with my head and landing on my chest. I think I tempted that fate! I get up, feeling the wall. Even a half-dead lantern would be better than this darkness! There is a passage to my left which feels to be done with stone, and a faint light illuminates some reflection. It is my only hope, so whilst clutching my arm, I go through. I was right - it is stone, and not pebbles, either. It's stone bricks, I see with the faint light. They are still a very dark grey to my un-accustomed eyes. The darkness swallows the tunnel behind me up and it feels like I am alone in the world. After a long time making my way through, the pain has subsided from my tumble and I see that the light is some blue fire, reflecting on a little underground lake. The fire is floating in the air, suspended by what? Magic? I edge nearer to one, and stick my finger into it. It is cool and soothing to touch, much better than the agony I was earlier in. I feel so good! All of the nice comments I've received in life come rushing back. I think through all of them and feel enlightened. I am kind! Brave! Generous! Magical... and that word snaps me out of my trance. This place is enchanted! Why does it make me feel this way? A voice speaks both in my head and out loud. It is soothing and deep. "I am the Water. Speak to me, child. Speak to me!" The Water's voice is both demanding and gentle. I love it! I am tempted to answer. I don't! He is tempting me into something I don't understand. Something I don't want. The Water forms a hand and holds my chin. That relaxing feeling comes back, but I know better than to submit to it. The grasp on my chin goes down, down to my neck. It tightens. The Water's voice is purely out loud now, and it is demanding. "Answer me! Or... you will suffer the same, slow fate as your lantern!" He knows too much and he is far too powerful for me. "N-no..!" My voice is strangled and comes out strangely. I feel like something is wedged through my mouth, into my mind. It tells me I am worthless. It tells me I am horrible. It tells me... it tells me... something too terrible to tell you. | Continued V below this little note! ~ note ~ Just wanted a little note to say that I hope you like this! The character's name is Ayla, which means moonlight, by the way! ~ moonlight ~ I feel worthless! Sobbing, I break down onto the ground, falling onto my knees. My heart has never ached so much! The Water has scarred me so deeply... will I ever recover? Love myself again? Be loved again? I cannot believe it is possible to feel so, so horrible. My heart is bursting. My eyes are stinging. But through all, I get up, slowly and painfully. Although I lack self-love, I can still love others. "Water, I understand your pain - feeling so worthless, being cooped up for so long. You still have a chance, though - people can still love you! People can still like you! Just learn to appreciate them, and they will appreciate you. You will be free to love and feel however you wish!" It takes all of my courage to say this and honestly, I hope it works. "I am touched, Ayla." He truly is! Instead of the violent flames licking themselves, there are little spheres of light. I am lifted up to the clouds, and so I am free as well. ~ conclusion ~ I hope this story touches hearts. I think it is so feeling-packed and hope it is a nice read. Thank you for reading!