Page 77 - Labyrinth--Surfacing Like Salmon-2019-2020

The light was seeping through the top, bottom, and side cracks of the door. Zara took slow steps towards the glowing door. Zara swung the door opened, and she stepped out onto a sunny golden meadow. She inhaled the salty smell of the ocean crashing against the shore and the warm sensation of the sun. “Hadn’t it been raining?” thought Zara. She walked down the field to the beach. She took off her black shoes and her delicate socks. She let the damp sand shape under her feet. She took each step leaving footprints in the sand. She felt something sharp and pointy under her foot. She lifted her foot to see what looked like an end of the shell protruding from the ground. She dug while getting sand under her fingernails, uncovering a big coral shell. She picked it up and walked toward the water. She felt the cool water rush up to her ankles and pull at her toes as it ran back. She walked deeper into the water, as the water got to her knees. Finally, with sudden desire, she plunged herself below the ocean. She saw the tiny fishes swarm around her as she swished in the water and the salty taste had made her dehydrated. Once she finished playing, she sat on the dry sand and let the sun dry her. She had seen shells and crabs roaming around the sand. Zara looked around and realized that to the far west of the meadow was a small cottage. She hadn’t noticed it before. It was as if it popped up out of nowhere. As the sun started to set, Zara was confused, “How could there be a beach outside if she lived in a neighborhood?” She looked upon the horizon and saw a tiny ship in the distance. She stayed 10 minutes longer, only to realize that the ship was getting bigger, meaning that it was getting closer. Suddenly, Zara remembered that it was getting dark and she had forgotten about lunch with her parents, who were probably wondering where she was at this hour. Zara felt the sand soften under her feet. Taking the coral shell she dug up, she put her socks and shoes back on and made her way back to the meadow field. She stepped through the door she came from and took one last glance at the beach and the stars and moon that started to show up. She hoped to come back. She closed the door and went through the tunnel and stepped out of the wardrobe and closed the closet doors. She heard her mum say, “Zara! Lunch is ready!” Zara didn’t understand. “Lunch! It can’t possibly be lunch.” thought Zara. Zara was sure. She could still feel the sand between her toes underneath her socks. Remnants of sand sprinkled on the floor from her plaid dress. She set the shell on top of the fireplace and made her way back downstairs to the kitchen. The windows were splattered with rain and the luggage was still behind the doorway. Nothing had changed. “How was the tour? Find anything exciting?” Her mother asked. Zara glanced behind her toward the staircase. “I sure did. I found a whole new world! I think I might make new friends soon,” said Zara. Her mum smiled and said, “That’s wonderful, sweetie.” Later that night, Zara sat on her bed and brought the coral shell to her ear. She closed her eyes and heard the ocean and the soft golden meadow breeze. “Can’t wait to see what’s there tomorrow!” Zara said. She put the shell beside her on the floor and went to sleep. All she could dream about was the ship arriving at the beach, the ladder extended to the sand; she saw a pirate walk down the ladder, and his eyes were glued at the cottage. 76