Present–Mars

Danielle watched the shimmering shadows glide over the coarse walls of the Martian caverns. Some days there were hundreds of shadows, and there were less than fifty on some days such as today. She couldn’t figure out why the difference and decided not to dwell on it. She couldn’t do anything about it anyway.

When she told her parents about the shadows, they warned her to not visit the caverns, that the caverns were extremely dangerous. But, for some unexplained reason, she couldn’t seem to stay away. She felt as if she belonged in the caverns, that she was one of… But no, she wouldn’t think about that either. She wasn’t a shadow; she was a real live Martian psychic and sought after by Martian administrators.

She entered one of the caverns today as she had the day before with excitement surging through her body.

Her excitement changed to that of inquiry for the shadows were rambunctious and wildly excited. What was happening? Then she knew without a doubt what the shadows wanted, what they had been trying to tell her all along. She heard them calling her, beckoning her to join them.

Should she go with them to possibly wander forever? It would be risky. Was she ready to take the risk?

#

Danielle’s parents walked slowly and carefully on the worn paths of the mysterious caverns of Mars. It was quiet as usual.

Their daughter was no longer with them. She had left them to visit these very same caverns one day and never returned.

#

Danielle couldn’t tell her parents that she was happy she had decided to join the shadows on the walls. She was now a member of a very elite Martian society. She was learning about her past and her future. If only she could tell her parents. Perhaps, one day …

End