Turn Tail and Run as Fast as You Can in the Other Direction

You are here because you chose: Turn Tail and Run as Fast as You Can in the Other Direction

Go Back: Try to Open the Doorway into the Smaller Dome
Go Back: Swim Back to the Larger Dome and the People You Saw Within
Start Over

You realize his eyes are twins to the sea serpent’s eyes. How could that be?

“Welcome to the world of myths and legends, traveler,” he says.

His voice sounds like the ocean on a peaceful day, but it raises dread in your soul. Your hands get cold and clammy. You bolt past him. Away from the stone path. Away from the beach. You haste up a slope hoping to find your way home. If you make it out alive, you might still have a chance to start a new search for the love of your life. The grass gives way to rock as you stumble up the side of a steep mountain.

Below, your beloved’s voice calls your name. The sound carries through the air like your memories carry into your dreams. It’s impossible. You hadn’t even reached your love’s travel destination before the sea serpent attacked the ship.

“Come to me.” The soft voice wakes a longing you have suppressed ever since you lost your love. You stop. You turn. From up here, you can see the whole land around you. You are on an island. There’s a small village huddled in a sheltered bay with fisher nets hung to dry in the sun and children playing in the water. Fields and palm trees and pens with animals surround the village. The stone path you refused to follow leads to it.

You look to where you left the weird tunnel. There, beside the strange man, a second figure stands and waves and calls your name. You’re already too far up to see the person clearly, but your heart knows. You want to go back but your legs are too tired. The exhaustion that you felt earlier returns in spades. You sink to the ground. Even calling for your love is too exhausting. Feebly, you wave, not sure if your sign has been noticed. Your eyes droop, and you can hardly keep your head up to watch your loved one.

The two shapes near the shore haste back to the village. Once there, one figure jumps on a horse. But what a horse! On its sides, over-sized wings unfold. It launches with a single leap. It’s coming for you, and it bears the one person your heart longs for. A smile spreads over your face so wide, your jaw muscles hurt. You would have loved to stay awake for your love’s arrival but your tired body claims its right. There will be enough time to get to know the island when you wake.

The End

Go Back: Try to Open the Doorway into the Smaller Dome
Go Back: Swim Back to the Larger Dome and the People You Saw Within
Start Over

8 thoughts on “Turn Tail and Run as Fast as You Can in the Other Direction”

  1. Mil Holmes says:

    I had to search for the links “Swim back..” and “start over.” I too liked this ending very much.

    1. Cat says:

      I’ll move them asap.

  2. Saba says:

    Yay! for good endings!

  3. Lydia Gray says:

    Ah! I found a happy end at last!

    Thank you 🙂

    1. Cat says:

      😉 I thought it would make a nice contrast to the other endings.

  4. Kelda says:

    Great ending, Cat.

    1. Cat says:

      Thanks. I liked your snippet too.

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