Song Suggestion: Start of Time by Gabrielle Aplin

MARE

It's dark.

But it's not like I can't see, but…my eyes are open, but they are also closed. Is it strange that I can't feel anything?

I try to speak but I can't. I try to move, but it feels like I have nothing to move.

Something is calling me, drawing me in like a beacon.

I feel my being, no my soul, drawing closer to it.

I want to go but something holds me back. Someone.

But that Something that is calling, I realize, is a Someone too. I can't feel my body, but I think of had a hand I would reach out. Pretty soon that beacon becomes a Light and the darkness recedes.

But the someone doesn't want me to go, neither force uses words, but I don't need them. Both someones don't seem alarmed. The Light, the greater Someone, shows me something. Something that words can't describe. So I don't bother trying.

But the smaller someone makes me feel something. It's small but strong, but also gentle. It's something familiar but also different.

I turn to look back at the Light. It begins to recede now and the darkness takes over. But I am not afraid.

The Light is not angry. It is not bitter. But it knows. I can sense it's knowledge. It knows everything. It shrinks down to a speck, but it never leaves. It will stay with me. I turn to the other something. It too now is something I can see, but it's not like the Light.

This a flicker of vibrant purple. I look back to the Light, but it's gone. And it's not. I feel it's warmth still. It stays with me. It's presence also a comfort I've never known. A presence I don't fully understand and yet…

The purple still flickers. Then it moves. Closer and closer until it we are whole. The Light remains and it's warmth telling me it will always be there. No matter what.

Then I can feel.

There is a pain in my chest but it is quickly dissipating. There is a tingling all over my body. That's when I realize I can feel my body.

I hear my own slow steady pulse. A strength courses through me. I'm getting stronger and stronger. But I am still not afraid.

Then, like the flip of a switch, I open my eyes.

This time I really can't see. I bring a hand up to wipe my eyes, but it hits something. The surface is rough. I feel around more and I realize it's all around me: in front, one the sides and behind me. The with a horrifying realization I realize I'm lying down on my back inside, trapped. My breath quickens and I feel sick. I press against the hard surface in front of me with both hands. But it doesn't budge. I begin to bang hard on it.

I have to get out. I have to get out.

But it won't budge. But I don't stop. I keep going, clawing at it.

More banging, and then something falls on my face. I try to swipe it away but some of it is sprinkles into my mouth.

It tastes like...dirt.

Another realization. I make a strangled cry but I can't get out of whatever this is. I try to call to my lightning but for some reason, I can't. It goes on for an eternity.

I keep pounding on the wall. And just when I think I may never escape, I hear something. No, someone. Their voices are muffled. I keep hitting the wall, which I now realize is a wooden door. No, not a door, a lid. But I can't question it more because there is a loud thump on the other side. And suddenly its heaved open and a blinding light greets me.