The Beckoning

A voice beckons her.

She wasn’t sure she heard the voice at first because she was too engrossed in her own thoughts. Despite listening carefully, she cannot make out who it is coming from, therefore, gaining her full attention. Shifting in her seat, she looks around to see if the people in the Cafe, or the people on the street, can hear the voice—they don’t. The voice seems to be coming down from somewhere near the ocean. Before she has time to register her actions, the girl stands up—the Cafe and her toast long forgotten—and begins walking down the cobblestone pathway towards the ocean.

Time is lost as her curiosity keeps her feet moving forward. Sweaty palms. Pounding heart. Quick breaths. Her adrenaline is kicking in but she doesn't feel threatened. It is the unknown and excitement of the mystery that has her blood pressure sounding in her ears. Maybe on another day she wouldn't follow the sound, but today she is feeling daring. The adrenaline allows her to have keen perception and every once in a while, she will look at others, to see if anyone new can hear this mysterious sound. She is looking for any subtle signs of recognition; Tilting heads, heads turning towards the irregular sounds of low and heavy throbs of the waves, people drowning out the sounds of their companions who are seemingly lost in thought as they look for something unknown—but still, no one else hears this sound. She thinks she could possible going crazy, but, can someone truly be crazy when the sound seems too real and homely to be fake?

The closer she gets, the sound of the waves grow louder. On the side of caution, the girl takes her time descending the pathway. The girl is thankful for the stars painted across the night sky, for they light her way but it is only by chance that the white light of the moon, reveals a subtle glow coming from the rock wall. Unease creeps into her bones. She will need to climb the rock wall to investigate but the waves crash angrily against the rocks. If she were of right mind, she would go back but the voice continues to call to her. She breathes in deeply to summon courage and it is only on a steady exhale, does she ascend the wall. The rocks are wet and cool to touch but they are surprisingly easy to hold onto. The higher she climbs, she realises the wall is not complete and finds a hidden area. The ledge is camouflaged from the texture of the rocks.

Once at the top of the wall, she jumps down and digs her hands into the ground to steady herself. It takes a few seconds for her eyes to focus but she finds herself stunned from the sight of the magical garden before her. Glowing green moss leads to a bench that has a ring of fairy-like mushrooms surrounding it. A pink cherry blossom tree protects half of the garden. The garden is concealed from the shore because the high walls hide it from the public eye. The walls being too high also blocks the view of the ocean but the ambient noise of the waves make up for that. As she looks around and takes in her surroundings, the girl realises the sole purpose of this garden—to sit on the bench and look up at the moon whilst surrounded by beauty. She is unsure how long she sat there for, taken by her surroundings.

The girl cannot help but wonder if anyone else has knowledge of the garden and the magic it possesses? Since discovering her newfound sanctuary, the girl secretly returns to the garden every night and enjoys the company of the moon.

The girl is finally content because she discovered it was the moon who called to her and she will be forever thankful for answering it. The girl smiles up to the dark night sky because she discovered she is no longer alone, for it is the moon who she she shares her soul with.