The first sun is high overhead, a gentle breeze swaying the golden trees that line the banks of the river I stand upon. In my ears are the sounds of its movement, the tonnes of water slowly falling their way down to the far away oceans. The smooth cobbles beneath my feet clack together as I sit down right at the edge of the water.

“Don’t you get bored?” I say.

The river gurgles.

“I’m serious!” I cross my lower arms. “You don’t get to go anywhere, always seeing the same things day after day.”

In an instant, my mind gets filled with the image of the sun rising and setting over and over. A tree slowly grows new leaves and branches. 

I frown, leaning back on my lower arms. “I guess that’s true.”

The river bubbles, now showing me an image of myself, excitedly talking about something, my white braids swaying madly as my purple eyes sparkle. The image vanishes and a warm breeze wraps around my chest and a smile effortlessly forms on my face. 

“Yeah, I do tell you a lot,” I say, a heat working into my cheeks. I tilt my head, saying, “But don’t you ever want to see it for yourself?”

The wind stops and the river seems to slow, everything suddenly getting a touch of chill. A single stone flies out from the centre of the river, jumping straight into the air before landing right back where it came from with a loud splash, ripples spreading outward. 

I clench my jaw. “I know you’re stuck here! But that’s not the point.” I sigh, my head drooping into my upper arms. “I asked you if that is something you want,” I say, pointing right at them. 

There is a moment of silence, then warmth and motion return to the banks of the stream, but the wind is slower, the water flowing more sluggishly. I sit there on the stones as I wait for a response. My butt begins to hurt from how hard my seat is, but I don’t move.

I know if I move, they’ll pivot and change the subject. So I stay still, even as the stones dig into my thighs.I watch as the water shimmers strangely, the breeze shifting the leaves in odd directions. A sudden gust, then all is still. 

Another stone flies out of the water, flying toward me. Startled, I jump to my feet, stepping back as it lands at my toes, splashing water onto my pants. 

“Hey!”

Another stone follows, and then another, clacking and crashing together, each one making a bigger splash, my clothes slowly getting drenched.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

“Okay okay, I think I get it,” I laugh, covering my eyes from the spray. 

I try and look down at myself, trying to see how soaked I am, and that’s when I notice it has gotten darker. Looking up, I see that the river has unnaturally pooled and piled itself high enough to block the sun. My eyes widen and I take a step back. 

“Hey now, Shachannon,” I say, raising my hands placatingly. “I got your message, there’s no need-”

My words get cut off as the water suddenly crashes down, a giant wave soaking and chilling me to the bone as it throws me to the ground. 

Coughing and sputtering as the water retreats back to where it should be, shivers begin to assault me as I get up, my limbs shaking as they try and regain some of the heat that was just stolen from me. 

“O-Okay, m-message received, loud and clear,” I say, teeth chattering. I wrap my arms around myself, “Did you have to freeze me to send it though?”

Shachannon bubbles happily. 

“Yeah yeah, I love you too.”

I struggle my way out of my shirt, wringing the water out of it, falling to the ground in big drops. 

“You’re so lucky I know you so well. I left my nice clothes at home.” 

As the water from my shirt seeps into the ground, I feel the breeze shift around me uneasily. 

“What?” I ask as I throw my still damp shirt back on.

I feel the water in my shirt subtly shift and move against my skin. I laugh.

“Oh come now, do you really think this will be good enough? You’ll evaporate before we get anywhere. No, I have a better idea.”

I start walking back up the river bank, as the water quickly falls out of my clothes. I grab my pack that I had tied to a tree and bring it back to the water.

“I came prepared,” I say with a cheeky smile, pulling out a ceramic pot.

Water splashes into the air, forming a momentary rainbow. 

“Yes yes, here I am with the smart ideas. I think I liked yours better, but it’s just not practical.” 

I dunk the pot into the water, filling it as high as it can go. For good measure, I grab a stone as well, dropping it inside. I bring the pot back to my bag, and grab the lid, placing it down. But it gets immediately thrown off. 

“What? Is something wrong?”

A splash of water hits my face. 

I roll my eyes, sighing with exasperated glee. “Yeah, you’re right, something is missing.” I take my shirt back off and gently place it inside, wrapped around the stone. “There, is that better?”

The stone inside spins. 

I smile. “Thought so.”

I place the lid on the pot, then grabbing some nearby clay, seal it closed to prevent evaporation. 

“Alright, there we go, that should do it. You’re all ready to go.”

I grab my pack, slinging it over my shoulders, then pick up the pot, slightly straining at its weight. It wobbles in my grip. 

“Yeah, you’re heavy, but you’re worth it, Shachannon. Now, let’s go see Mom, huh? I can’t wait to see the look on her face!”

They splash gleefully, and I smile, holding the jar tightly to my chest. “Next stop, my Love, the world!”