Day 18. Ocean
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The sound of water. The sensation of it lapping at her. A numbness that kept her from feeling its cold. A certainty that it was due to no longer inhabiting a mortal body. She had reached the end, and now she was drifting in the ocean, slowly making her way to the Great Tao.
The sound of water breaking. The sensation of the water slipping off her. Being lifted. A familiarity in being held like this. She knew who had come to take her there, and she nestled into the neck fur of her guide like she would when she was small.
"It's alright, my girl. I've got you."
Jua wrapped her arms around her like a child seeking comfort. Or pleading for forgiveness for a bad thing she had done.
"Auntie… I'm sorry. I'm so sorry… I let you down. I let everyone down. "
"You did no such thing. You're not at fault. No one would blame you."
"No Auntie… if you saw everything I did. If you could see into my very heart… you would be so disappointed in me…"
"Shhh. None of that, my girl…"
The sound of water changed. It became the hushed whisper as it brushed against land. Not the shore of the afterlife, of eternal rest. But the brink of living.
"It is not your time yet, dear…"
Jua tightened her grip, burying her face into her aunt's fur, as if as long as she hid, she wouldn't have to go. To return to suffering…
"N-no… no Auntie…! Take me with you… I don't deserve to live. I'm-I'm wicked! I must pay for everything I've done! I-!
The arms holding her cradled her so lovingly, so soothingly that it quieted her whines, as if she were a babe being lulled.
"You are not at fault, my girl. But if you truly feel there is something you must atone for, then death is not the answer. You must live."
Jua could feel her aunt kneeling with her in her arms, about to put her down. She wanted to cling to her, but her body had relaxed, falling still of its own volition.
"And know this… you could never disappoint me. Never."
Her aunt gently placed her down. Her hands left her. Jua senses began to stir once again. Something flat and wooden beneath her. Something draped over her. And warmth. The sun shining on her. That was all her flicker of consciousness could pick up before she fell asleep again.