Like some child possessed, the beast howls in my veins
Leaving the dead behind was a stretch, but she could only dive forward, intervals of swimming experience demonstrated in the slender slip beneath the fathoms. She was almost offended by the boost, fast enough on her own, capable and wily and wild, but took her turns amidst the current with fervor and zeal too, taking the opportunity to survey rather than seethe.
The habit of rising to the surface continually carved a niche in her skin, but her lungs didn’t complain, and so she was free to beam and smile at the alteration of fish or the bright hues of coral she’d never seen before, portals of light creating makeshift heavens, or the dimness of darkness beginning on their descent. No fear rambled through her; she’d been a child amidst the Rift – she knew about all sorts of monsters in the wakes of any hues and shadows.
But then they emerged somewhere entirely new, and though she couldn’t speak, her eyes filled with wonder would’ve done the trick. Elation swept through her as she gawked at the city – would never have known it was down here, in all its glory, had there not been rumors or merpeople to anoint the notions. She, maybe wisely, did nothing as guards approached save for existing, until they were permitted to pass, and then she waved at a few nearby, before gliding along.
Towers and spires, sand and shoal, stone and shell, made up structures and buildings, and she quietly oohed and aahed at each turn, glancing down streets and gardens and hallowed little heavens – wondering if their world could be like that, if they hadn’t always gone to such great lengths to destroy everything around them.
The habit of rising to the surface continually carved a niche in her skin, but her lungs didn’t complain, and so she was free to beam and smile at the alteration of fish or the bright hues of coral she’d never seen before, portals of light creating makeshift heavens, or the dimness of darkness beginning on their descent. No fear rambled through her; she’d been a child amidst the Rift – she knew about all sorts of monsters in the wakes of any hues and shadows.
But then they emerged somewhere entirely new, and though she couldn’t speak, her eyes filled with wonder would’ve done the trick. Elation swept through her as she gawked at the city – would never have known it was down here, in all its glory, had there not been rumors or merpeople to anoint the notions. She, maybe wisely, did nothing as guards approached save for existing, until they were permitted to pass, and then she waved at a few nearby, before gliding along.
Towers and spires, sand and shoal, stone and shell, made up structures and buildings, and she quietly oohed and aahed at each turn, glancing down streets and gardens and hallowed little heavens – wondering if their world could be like that, if they hadn’t always gone to such great lengths to destroy everything around them.
Melita
