The night was quiet; the wind lightly danced through the leaves of the trees and lifted the golden hair of the young woman concealed in the shadows beneath. Slowly she lifted her head, tears glittering on her cheeks like jewels. Her blue eyes so full of pain and loss. Her head dropped again and she wrapped her arms around her body as if she was trying to protect herself. Minutes passed or it could have been hours, time held no meaning anymore, nothing did. She was alone, no one even knew she was there, shrouded in the darkness. Gently she got to her feet and began to walk away from the shelter of trees. As she passed from under them the moonlight hit her pale skin and as she stopped to gaze up at it the light seem to radiate within her and light her path ahead.
Down the grassy slope ahead of her lay a lake, a deep pool that appeared full of light but as she drew closer was more like a pool of shadow. But not sinister shadows, more like a soft blanket of night, warm and inviting. It was to this lake that she slowly began to walk, grass brushing against her bare feet and legs. Though the night was cool she wore only a long white dress that swept the floor and whirled around her legs as she walked. Looking into the water she smiled and began to laugh. Holding out her arms she slowly began to spin in a circle getting faster and faster until the harsh world blurred into insignificance before she collapsed sobbing onto the bank.
Water lapped over stones and her fingers, as she looked down at her hands her face set and she stood once more. Taking a few steps away she regarded the water once again before slowly walking forward. As her feet hit the pebbles at the edge of the lake and the water washed over her feet the shock of how cold it was hit her and she stopped. Cold as death but at least she could till feel something. Once again tears slowly slid down her face but she continued to walk forwards. As the water gently crept up her body, swirling her dress out behind her she forgot the cold. Trailing her fingers in the water as she walked she could feel her sorrow floating away. She was still smiling as the lake closed over her head. There was a moment of panic as she fought for air but as the water claimed her she was still.
Dew forms on the grass and the moon that has been witness to such waste of life slips away. As the sun rises, banishing the forgiving shadows in which we all hide, bringing the harsh, cold light of day. All imperfections on show, each person as flawed as the next. All except one, a young girl floating in the lake, finally at peace