The Creek
There was a sense of calm that washed over her as she stepped into the water, the coolness of it wrapping around her ankles and grounding her in it.
The sky was blanketed with heavy clouds, not even the moon shone through and it made the creek look black and wide; almost never ending as it disappeared into the shadows of the surrounding trees.
There was no wind, the only movement coming from the ripples around her legs as she slowly made her way deeper into the water. It started to lick at the hem of her dress, weighing down the soft fabric. She closed her eyes, letting the quiet wash over her and a smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. No-one would know, she could disappear with the creek into the shadows and no-one would know. It was a relieving thought.
The chaos that so often took over melted away as the cold reached her waist, there was nothing but herself and the water and the mud under her feet. With every breath she could feel the calming chill fill her lungs. Opening her eyes once more, she began to take another step into the water; another step into the shadows.
When the clouds slowly parted and a light illuminated the trees ahead, she froze; the moon had appeared. The gentle glow made the water sparkle and she could then see the bank where the water ended. She stared up at the moon, her eyes wide with wonder and although it's beauty didn't quite reach her, she wanted to let herself imagine what it would be like to bathe in it's light.
Forgetting for a moment of the dark water the surrounded her, she took another step forward, though she halted once again when she felt the cool mud in between her toes. She looked down at the creek, still finding comfort in it's cold and stillness but she couldn't forget that small glimpse of the light ahead.
She wanted the light.
Taking a deep breath, she let a smile spread wide into a grin. She would bathe in that beautiful glow, she would see the moon beaming down from the sky and she would cross the creek to get there; she would just have to remember not to get swept away with the current as she swam.