The waves hemmed me in. Their hands stretched out and wove me inside. Their dark eyelashes sweeping for souls. Mine was shattered, the pieces both heavy and yet, somehow also weightless. Aren’t you afraid? Always. Aren’t we all?

I was far from shore. My wick was burning low. Underwater, breathless. Is anyone there? Just me.  

The dark depths knew me. We were like magnets, otherworldly. I let their harsh whispers slice through. They were cold but comforting. I knew their voices well. Isn’t this what you wanted? To be alone? I should have told someone where I was going.

Time passed. How much, I couldn’t say. A silo never knows.

The pressure of the water intensifies at these depths. My molecules had cracked and split. I was merely fragments now. My mind the only thing intact. Pockets held onto hope.

Submerged, I searched for a sign of life above the surface. It was quiet but not peaceful. Milky fragments of light swayed above, but nothing could pull me out. It had to be me.

I harnessed all my atoms. Speared my way forward and ascended, carving through currents like a spoon through jelly.

The surface split apart. Cool air. Squally seas. Nearly me.

Surging forward, my molecules moulded together once more. Ribbons of vapour clouded my vision. But I knew the way back.

Dry land. You gently unthreaded my fears, so terribly tangled. Like an old necklace, all knotted up. It took time, but eventually the tide turned. It heaved itself under its duvet of waves and spun to sleep.

I made a promise to myself, to never go swimming alone again.