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Into the Murky Depths

Adea is finally ready to start her beloved. She had been dreaming of this night, and now it’s finally happening! She wonders what the ceremony will be like? And what will happen afterwards, Adea hopes she’s ready. 

1.5k words

C.W: Drowning

I looked at the mirror in front of me. It was one of the oldest things in the house. Hundreds of years of people have gazed into the mirror. Watching the glass crack and gold tarnish. No matter how much polishing and shining, they couldn’t stop the passage of time. But it wouldn’t matter for much longer. The golden flowers would glitter and bloom once more, and I would be able to see everything reflected in the glass. 

But in the few more minutes until the big moment I would have to make due and look at my slightly warped reflection. What I could see was perfect. We had all been preparing for this day for years, and it was what I had been dreaming of since I was a little girl. My skin was a glowing deep brown. And I could see the excitement glittering in my eyes. I fingered the crystal necklace hanging from my neck, and the tulle framing my curly black locks.

“No fidgeting, Adea, don’t want to muss your dress,” my caretaker, Maeve said even though she was the one who was fidgeting. Placing her papery pale brown hand on my shoulder. Then brushing one of my curls out of my place. And if she wasn’t touching me she was pacing, around and around the top of the tower we were in.

It wouldn’t be much longer. Lights were starting to appear all around the house, and night was falling rapidly. 

Yes, I thought, soon, we’ll be together soon.

There was a creaking sound behind me, and I had to physically stop myself from squealing. I didn’t turn around. I knew what Maeve would be doing. A respectful gesture to the new-comers and ushering them towards me. From behind, a bouquet of flowers was placed in my lap. I wrapped my hands around the stems, not even flinching as the thorns pierced my palms. 

Besides, a little blood won’t hurt, I thought as Maeve linked elbows with me and helped me out of the chair.

The smell of lily of the valley, jasmine, and white rose comforted me as I walked across the wooden floor. My bare feet making no noise from underneath my dress. Carefully and slowly Maeve helped me down the ladder, the skirt of my dress going down bit by bit. Once we were down the ladder we stopped as they opened the second trap door. I looked out the window, dazzled by what I saw below me.

Everyone was standing side by side on the lawn holding flickering lanterns aloft,  making a twinkling path for me down towards the lake. Even though I couldn’t see it, I knew the arch stood waiting for me. Where my beloved would be waiting for me.

The light shifted, and instead of gazing at the lawn, I was met with my own reflection. My dress, my dress! It was older than me, older than Maeve even. It was white and studded with real, weighty gems on the bodice. The skirt and sleeves ballooned outward with tulle and even more gems. For years I had been tailoring it, making sure not a thread was out of place or fold was unnecessary. It was the best I could make it and I knew it looked stunning. I knew my beloved would love it. 

“Get a move on, Adea, don’t want to keep Them waiting, do you?” Maeve chastised me playfully.

“Of course not!” I assured her and started down the latter. 

From then on all we had to negotiate was the swirling hallways of the house and getting to the stairs. Wood paneling up the sides of the walls ending in fields and fields of wallpaper flowers. Everything had the familiar smell of dust and fabric. Maeve was still leading me by the elbow while the two people who had first come and got me were behind us. 

Inconspicuously as possible I tried to turn my eyes around to see who they were. Maybe it was Harris and Jamie,they were in charge of important ceremonies. Or maybe they had sent some other people to get me, if so who were they? That mystery kept me going as we walked down the rug-covered stairs and arrived at the front door. We all paused at the door for Maeve to get ready.

She pulled her night-colored hood over her face and clipped a veil over what wasn’t covered. Once she was done doing this she once again started to fuss over me. Brushing all of the hair and fabric away from my face, making sure there were no wrinkles or stains in my dress. And once again checking my face. Only my face could be visible for the ceremony. Didn’t want my beloved to get confused after all.

Once everything was covered up, and I looked the best I would ever look, the two people I didn’t know opened the door. Maeve and I stepped out of the house, quickly descending from the deck and taking our first steps onto the lawn. The grass was wet under my feet. In the background, the night creatures of the wood were starting to awaken. The owls were starting their hunt, and I could hear the squeak of bats. I could hear the rippling of water on the lake. But what was in front of me was all I was paying attention to.

As I had seen from the window everyone was standing side by side, shoulder to shoulder. Holding their lanterns aloft and being as silent as possible.

Once the ceremony started, no one could talk but me. No one’s face could be visible but mine. It was my big day, and I was the center of attention. My beloved had to be focused on me and only me. There was no room for error after so much preparation.

I started tearing up as I walked across the smooth dirt path towards the lake, Even though they’re not allowed to talk they’re all doing so much for me! 

No matter what would happen to me with my beloved, it was the least I could do for all the people supporting me. Maeve walked me down the path and I glanced sideways every few steps. Everyone was covered in their night-colored hoods and cloaks, but I knew who was who. 

My favorite tutor, Isla, with her familiar dignified stance. My childhood playmate, Olly, with his playfully wiggling arms. Every posture, every stance, everybody I could recognize and remember the time we had spent together. I didn’t know where my beloved would take me or what would happen to me after the ceremony, but I was happier than I had ever been or would be in my entire life. I was so glad that everyone had come to see me off, so glad they cared for me.

Maeve and I were coming to the end of the dirt path. Dirt mixed with the sandy banks of the lake and created a thick mud that squelched between my toes. Maeve started squeezing my elbow harder, and I chuckled silently.

“Don’t worry, we’re meeting at a lake. I'm sure They won’t mind a little mud on my hem.”

Maeve didn’t speak, of course, but I could tell she was more relaxed. We were in sight of the arch, and I could hear cicadas singing in the reeds. I smiled and looked at Maeve, trying to see the outline of her beautifully wrinkled features through the veil. Speaking more would be dangerous, but I hoped that she could see the gratitude in my eyes. She had done so much for me since before I could remember, and it was fitting that she was the last person I would see before my beloved took me away.

Once I was done trying to say thank you I continued walking toward the arch. It was just me from that point on. No friends lighting the way and no Maeve. Just me, the now muddy path, and nature all around me. 

The arch was sitting on the waterline and I paused to look at it, but I didn’t look back. Made from the oldest tree that we had been nurturing since the beginning. Branches weaved together skillfully, with leaves still growing around the bark. I had seen the arch before, but that night it had more gravity. More energy, drawing me towards it. I didn’t fight the pull, knowing that soon I would be in the arms of my beloved.

Flowers still in my hand, I walked through the arch and into the lake. The water first started to pool in my footsteps, then it started to push against my feet. I tried my hardest not to trip as I waded further in. Maeve would have been happy knowing that the mud was being washed off of my dress. Further and further I went in and the water got colder and colder. 

Eventually I couldn’t walk in anymore without being completely submerged. Again I paused, but the pull of my beloved was enough to squish any doubt. I went in and continued walking, holding my breath and trying to keep my grip on the flowers underwater. I couldn’t walk forever, and eventually I was just floating. The gems on my dress served their purpose, weighing me down making me sink deeper and deeper into the dark depths. I couldn’t feel if the flowers were still in my hands as my breath gave out. 

Water rushed into my lungs and chilled my insides, my dress doing nothing to keep me warm. Time seemed to slow down as I sank deeper and deeper, smiling, knowing that I would be taken care of. My body went limp and up was down and nothing was normal. Just for a second, I was scared. But just for a moment. Once that moment had passed I was embraced in warmth. Still soaking wet, and without the flowers, but I felt amazing. 

I looked up into the murky eyes of my beloved and smiled. She was beautiful.