#lastoftheoldones

↳ ( @dxdger ; @alphalycaon ; @etcorvis  ; @lastoftheoldones  ; kingedmundofnarnia )

It was strange being back, my shoes rattled against the shingle below. The place was desolate, that hadn't changed. I must have been 5 or 6, ebony hair, a red dotted dress hazed in my mind. Large rocks lay to the west, I remember climbing every inch of them, it was always a race with.. myself I guess. I remember skimming stones as far as I could see when the water lay still. We.. I, used to go crazy every time I got a new record of bounces. I reached the mouth of the furthest cave, did we..I ever go into this one. 'Alice' I whispered; that made her seem real. The waves made a light shimmer with each fall. I could picture her laugh, quiet uninvasive. I felt silly but I couldn't help but enter. It was a deep grey inside, just about see-able. after a while I could smell moisture, turning a corner I saw the moon reflected in a pool stretching beyond my sight. I'd been here before. Me and Alice had gone exploring, I was scared but she said to keep a tight hold on her hand and nothing bad would happen. The Moon had been absent that evening, it was a sharp drop into the pool, Alice couldn't have been older than 8 or 9, she wasn't the strongest swimmer.

'You remember' said a low echo, a small man, less that 5 foot, dark long hair, stepped forward. He didn't appear to be wearing anything, in the low light I couldn't see his body lower than his chest, or was that where he stopped? And I did remember. 'You looked like a whale back then' 

'I have looked like many things' the man softly replied.

'Can I see her'

He gave a weak smile 'just quickly we're getting ready to leave, we were just waiting on your visit'.

A hundred question filled my find but I didn't want to waste my time if I didn't have long. 'Where are you going?'

'Very far'

'Where is she?'

He gestured to the corner the my left 'You mustn't wake her though, you remember the reasons why I was able to save her?'

I nodded and crept to the way he has pointed. It was Alice, unchanged still 9, in the same red dress, curled up, hands wrapped around her, still. I watched her rest for what seem like an age. The man lay a hand softly on my shoulder.

'It's time'

'Will I remember, her once I leave?' I asked, hoping.

'I think you know the answer to that'

'Does she remember me?'

'She made you this' He tucked a shell inside my fingers. I could just make out the image of a little girl on it, maybe 5 or 6.

...

You're a good role model and -- and you're always there for me. Being around you is fun and -- and I like it. Every day is fun.