Opal

The ocean looked like a carpet of fluorescent glitter. It seemed so dense, as if I could walk on its surface, walk towards the opal of the moon that was bigger than I’ve ever seen it before. It sat on the horizon like the jewel of a crown.

 I looked behind me: nothing was there but sand, not even a flicker of a light from buildings, from civilization. There was no going back, nothing would await me there. 

 I looked back at the ocean now: its tranquility ceased, waves crashed against the shore, licking my feet, as if nudging me to come closer. 

 ‘Where will you take me?’ I asked and my voice was coarse like corals against skin. I stepped closer. The waves bewildered, but they avoided me, almost as if making way for me to follow. I looked below the surface: soft sand, and nothing else. It was warm under my feet, compared to the icy cold of the water. 

 I started walking. The ocean welcomed me like a cradle, adjusting to my body, inching into every crevice, understanding me. Its rhythmic flow lulled me into a comfortable sleepiness as I walked, endlessly towards the moon. My mouth filled with salty water, I could taste something familiar, the taste of tangy soil, soil that birthed me and everyone else. I saw myself sprouting from the ground. I walked on, knowing soil was not part of me anymore.

 As my eyes submerged the moon’s reflection quivered and suddenly, I was floating. I tried to look back, but behind me was nothing, and ahead of me was infinity.