Death of an Ember
The thick fog alluded her in the high trees. The forest was dead, but beautiful. The cool air she breathed in was full of the trickling mystified rain. Lulling so gracefully in the atmosphere.
Her feet crunched on the damp leaves, as she cautiously walked under the soft grey sky. Her intense grey-green eyes scanned ahead. The light rain caressed her short fiery hair. Indeed her hair was fire, as was her pale skin, burning softly against the damp air. The fire of her hair matched the red of her lips.
Her languid movements echoed through out the silent forest. Only the rain stirred.
"Ember." Her name was beckoned. Her eyes widened, but still she pressed on. "Ember." The voice seeped from everywhere.
"What? What do you want?" She slowed her pace.
"I want you Ember." The voice enhanced through the fog. Her eyes searched franticly.
"Why? What have I done to you?" Her majestic voice poured from her mouth.
"Oh Ember, why do you ask a question that you already know the answer to?" The voice was soothing with a hint of laughter.
"I know not of what you speak." She looked up into the sky and walked backwards.
"Don't lie to me child." The voice grew dark and before her appeared a woman dressed in fine green silks. "I know all about your fledging with Zeus. How dare you." Hera's eyes narrowed. "You pathetic nymph." She stalked towards her.
Ember stepped back further at the sight of the queen of the gods. "I--I didn't know that man was Zeus." She thought back to her first lover, only days ago. "He disguised himself. He tricked me!" She pleaded.
Hera scoffed. "It is of no matter. You will pay dearly you little weed. I--" Hera looked past Ember, who was still stepping back slowly. "Yes, little weed." A vicious smile curved the goddess' lips.
"Careful deary." Hera used a gust of wind to push Ember over the small cliff behind her.
Ember let out a pitched scream as she descended down to the harsh waters below. Hera appeared on a long ledge above the water, just in time to see Ember fall.
Upon contact with the condemning water, Ember's hair turned to slimy weeds. Being submerged in the biting water, her feet planted in the sand. Ember reached her hands toward the surface, only inches away. Her hands grasping for the air above.
Hera crouched down to look into the water. "Yes my dear, Reach. Reach for life, for salvation. Reach for freedom little weed. Reach." She laughed.
Hera looked into Ember's pleading eyes. "Reaching is all you'll ever do now little weed. For all eternity. Reach." She patronized.
Ember struggled to retain air. She instinctively opened her mouth gasping for air, finding nothing but fear. Liquid sorrow slowly filled her lungs as she tried to cough it out only to inhale more.
"Reach my dear." Hera's face came closer to the water.
Ember's eyes stung with her own salt. She became motionless. Her reaching arms slowly turned to the treacherous weeds of her fate. Slowly drifting, slowing dimming.
"Reach."