24. The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary
It was a sea cave that went deep underwater, and like the rooms of a palace, revealed others opening into one another before the final cave opened onto wide waters.
As I climbed the slippery moss-covered rocks, I made my way through the dark green seaweed, stepping into the fertile sand until I was finally at the mouth of this hidden treasure I had found.
I thought it would be dark. But inside, the water glowed like it held pieces stolen from the sky.
I watched in awe as these sky pieces glowed, and when I reached to touch one, it shimmered away from me.
Gently, I cupped my hands and lifted one to examine it.
I was surprised to discover that it was simply a small worm, but the glow it gave made it look more beautiful than a butterfly.
Someone had blessed this ugly thing with such power, it could create beauty in the world.
Gently putting it back into the water, I looked around this peculiar new place, a cavern made of grey rock and a deep pool at its centre.
It seemed as though this sanctuary was untouched by anyone from my family, that even if some God or Goddess had made it, they had forgotten about it long ago.
It was the first time in a long time that I had the complete unwatched, unstifled solitude I needed so desperately.
Grateful, I closed my eyes and touched the pool gently, giving it a soft blessing.
A tear rolled down my cheek to meet the waters and then…