A circle of light penetrated the darkness of the glade. A rustling in the undergrowth made her look round. The dim surroundings gave no sign of life, so she turned back and continued to do what she was doing. She sat busily working away for a while. Time stretched into an eternity and she felt the coolness seeping up from the ground.

Jumping up, she dropped her work onto a grassy mound and frantically waved her arms, trying to warm herself. But the cold had too firm a hold and she shivered involuntarily. The birds busied themselves in the trees, chirping messages of the day’s happenings to one another, slowly unwinding and readying themselves for the night.

The light had moved from the centre of the glade and was just starting to brush the edge of the trees with a delicate golden hue. Stars as bright as day made themselves known in the night sky, but still she waited. Tense and miserable. The heat of the day had long fled this place and a fear started to gnaw deep inside. She suppressed the feeling and tried to think happy thoughts. Thoughts of yesterday when the world was perfect. When the heavens had understood her and when the sun had smiled down on her and only her. She had felt uplifted. Recognised as a true talent. Accepted by her people. The thought comforted her. She glanced around. Noticing the babbling brook, she moved over to it and stretched her hand down into its silver depths. Fishes flitted through the reeds. She watched them for a while, bobbing down to take a closer look. The fishes darted away. The water was so clear she could see the bottom. Dipping both hands beneath the water to form a cup, she drank and was surprised how the cool element snaked down her throat like a piece of ice.

by Andrea Garfield-Barkworth