Magic was in the air that day, making her skin tingle with anticipation. Olivia breathed in deeply. “Yes!” She could taste it in her breath as she walked beneath the woodland canopy, her patchwork maxi-skirt brushing fallen leaves with each step. She was aware of myriad pairs of eyes watching her progress. Birds fluttered around her head, rabbits hopped across her path and squirrels leapt between the branches. Nature was on the move. She smiled to herself. “They feel it too,” she thought, “they can sense the importance of this moment.”
She had known as soon as she had opened her eyes that it was going to be a very special day indeed. Not just because it was her eighteenth birthday, her coming of age, but because of the tingle of anticipation that sparked against her skin. Something very strange, very wonderful, was coming. She had quickly dressed and slipped quietly out of the house before her parents were awake and headed out into the countryside.
Her long hair glinted fiery red in the autumn sunshine as the breeze teased it around her face. Olivia raised her hand to brush the strands away. As she did so, she noticed that the light was changing, turning violet in the mid-morning sky. “Strange!” She thought as she continued along the track to the crest of a steep hill.
From her vantage point she could see that the path split in two directions. “Which one is the right one?” Olivia wondered. For this was no aimless wandering, she knew, but a journey towards an unknown destination. Whatever that might be, she knew it would be something very important. Treading carefully, she made her way to the bottom of the hill. She noticed that as she travelled down, the air became cooler, the shadows more intense. She pulled her fluffy cardigan tightly around herself as she stood at the junction, pondering which route to take. “If I take the wrong one, I know I will regret it for the rest of my life.”
There was a sudden rustle at her feet. She looked down at a long, green snake. It reared its head at her, it beady eyes binding her to the ground. Despite her fear, Olivia was entranced by its exquisite beauty, the shimmer of its green scales, its sinuous movements. It hissed loudly at her before moving off down the left-hand path. Then it paused and looked at her before slithering back towards her. Just a few feet away, it halted, looked at her once again and then moved forward again.
Olivia’s heart pounded. “Could it be wanting me to follow?” She wondered. She took a hesitant step forward. Every now and again, it paused to check if she was still following. “It’s okay”, she called out, “I’m coming.” She chuckled quietly to herself. “What would my classmates say if they saw me talking to a snake?” But then she shrugged. “They think I’m pretty weird anyway”. It was true. All her life she had been mocked by others. Her odd-coloured eyes, one blue, one green, along with her flaming red hair, had always marked her as fair game for the bullies around her. She had grown up feeling an “outsider,” someone who didn’t belong.
Memories surged through her head as she continued along the path into the ever-thickening forest. She winced as she recalled that dreadful day, two years ago, when she had discovered her birth certificate hidden at the back of a drawer. She had picked up the document casually and started reading. The next moment a strangled cry had broken from her lips, “NO!” She dropped the paper as its words burnt into her brain. She stood there for a moment, panting, before bending down and picking it up. There was no mistake. The columns which should have contained her parents’ names had the words “Not Known” under each heading. The loving couple who she had always known as ’Mum and Dad’ were, in fact, no blood relation at all.
Olivia had torn into the kitchen where her mother was busy baking scones. She looked up in astonishment as her daughter, waving the certificate wildly, screamed at her.
“It’s all a lie! You’re not my mother. How could you pretend all these years? I hate you.”
The woman recoiled from the force of her fury before taking a step towards her, trying to take her into her arms to calm her. Olivia thrust her away. Sobbing heavily, her mother stood there, muttering words, phrases, trying to explain.
“Sorry! We were going to tell you. One day…. Found on our doorstep… Adopted you” She gulped. “Always loved you.”
Suddenly Olivia found herself sobbing along with her mother. They stood with arms wrapped round each other. “I know that mum. It’s just been such a shock.”
“I know, I know. But we meant well by not telling you sooner”
Ever since that fateful day Olivia knew that she was loved, but the sense of alienation that she had always felt grew stronger. As months slipped by, that sense grew stronger. She was always careful not to let her parents - as she still thought of them – know. for she knew they would be deeply hurt. Nevertheless, she had withdrawn even more from social contact, preferring to stay in her room with her books or wander through the nearby fields and woods.
She took to sitting very still for long periods of time watching wildlife and sensing the air around her. Gradually, she had become to feel at one with nature; even the birds and animals would come and sit near her. She found herself talking to them recounting her daily life, and sometimes even spinning stories around them. They seemed almost to understand. One day, when she was feeling particularly sad, a small rabbit jumped up onto her lap. Her tears mingled with its soft fur as she stroked it. Ever since then, it had become her constant companion. Even now, despite the presence of the snake, it was bobbing along just a few feet behind her. She smiled gently at it.
“Wonder how much further now.”
She suddenly shivered. The sun had disappeared, blotted out by the overhanging fir trees. Olivia looked around. There was no sign of anyone or anything. An air of mystery hung over the glade. In the middle, lay a silent pond, not a murmur or a ripple disturbed its surface. She became aware that the snake had stopped and was looking at her once more. She found herself nodding at it, acknowledging its presence. It turned and with a swift movement slid into the still waters.
"Oh no!" She laughed, “I'm not following you into that."
But what to do next? She sat down on a fallen log to collect her thoughts
Surely that sense of anticipation, an awareness of something special had not been a mistake; the result of her wishing for something special? She turned to the little rabbit, sitting at her feet, regarding her steadily.
“Oh Fluff! What should I do?" Her voice broke with disappointment.
As of in answer, the pond suddenly came to life, the surface swirled and glowed. Was she imagining things? She thought she heard her name being called from deep within it. The snake re-emerged and fixed her once more with its hypnotic eyes. She found herself rising from the log and slowly moving to the edge of the pond. It seems as if a power much stronger than herself had her in thrall. Warmth and light surrounded her. She took a deep breath and stepped forward into the enticing waters.
Instead of the cold, wet shock that she was expecting Olivia found herself encased in a bubble of rainbow light. She drifted downwards, startling fish who darted away from her intruding presence. Plant life swayed and swirled around her, but nothing could halt her progress. Below her, the bottom of the pond, mud covered and littered with stones, drew nearer. She braced herself for the impact. None came. She found herself effortlessly breaking through that surface and the feel of soft grass beneath her feet. The sky was full of rainbow colours, dancing all around her and over the group of women assembled in front of her.
A soft voice addressed her. "Greetings Olivia. Welcome. We have waited many years for this moment. She blinked and focused her eyes. A woman with grey hair flowing down to her ankles stood in front of her; she shimmered and glowed in the strange light.
“Who? ….. Who are you? Where am I?"
A much younger woman appeared, arms outstretched out to embrace Olivia. She gasped. It was like looking in a mirror. This woman was identical to her, flaming red hair and even had the same, odd-coloured eyes.
"Welcome Sister. It is good to be together at last. I am Cygnia.” She indicated to the first woman. “Allow me to introduce you to Charismata, our leader. Her name means ‘Gift of Grace.”
Olivia gave a tremulous smile and nodded. “Am I hallucinating - or what?” she wondered. The next moment Cygnia was leading Olivia to a banqueting table laden with strange fruits and goblets of drink. “Come. Rest. Drink.”
Like a sleepwalker. Olivia did as she was told and sat down. All the other women did likewise, there was much chattering and sidelong glances at her. Embarrassed by so much attention, Olivia wriggled in her chair.
She turned towards the top of the table, where Charismata sat serenely.
“Please! Tell me whatever is going on!”
The leader spoke again, a tinkling sound.
"We are the daughters of Eve. Your mother was one of us, but she was seduced by a son of Adam and left us to live in the world above. However, by the time you were born he had abandoned her. The sickness of Unlove - what your people call a broken heart - swiftly took her. Before she died, she left you on the doorstep of a nearby house hoping and praying the people there would take care of you.
"So they did. Very good care." Olivia murmured.
“We were powerless to do anything, the Rule of Atlanta forbids us to interfere in such a situation. That is, until adulthood is reached. Today is that day and we rejoice. We were able to summon you home.”
“Home!’” Olivia looked around her, wondering. “I belong here?” Smiling faces surrounded her; the air was soft and balmy, carrying heavy scents within it. It all felt beautiful. All her life she had yearned to “belong,” to feel normal. She should, she knew, be feeling pleased to belong somewhere at last, accepted for whom she was. And yet. A faint sense of unease was beginning to stir deep within her. Something did not feel right.
Her hosts pressed food and drink on her. She bit into one of the fruits, its soft flesh yielding a mouthful of sweetness, its juices spilling over her lips. Embarrassed, she hastily wiped her chin with the back of her hand, hoping that no-one had noticed. It was like nothing she had ever experienced before. A goblet of amber liquid was passed to her. She sniffed its pungent contents. “What is it?” she wondered, “Is it safe to drink?” She realised that her hosts were watching her carefully. Not wanting to give offence, she raised it to her lips and took a cautious sip. It was delicious. She drank more deeply. Never had she tasted anything so wonderful. A delicious warm feeling stole across her body; sleep was claiming her.
But the next words spoken shocked her into alertness.
“Today, as we said, your coming of age, gave us the power to call you here. Yet we are powerless to hold you. By the time darkness falls, you must choose. Stay with us forever. Or return to the land above and live with the Sons of Adam, unable to return here.
Olivia gulped hard. She could hardly take it all in.
“But first, enjoy yourselves with your sisters. They will take good care of you.”
They all stood up, bowed to Charismata and led Olivia away with them. They wandered away from the table. She paused and looked back.
“But what about the clearing up, all those dishes?”
“Do not worry! All will renew.”
Sure enough, she could see that instead of empty plates and dirty dishes, it was already refilled, ready for another feast.
“We never have to worry about things like that.”
“Great!” Olivia said, “I always hated washing up. This place certainly has some advantages.” She turned to Cygnia, walking close by her.
“Just what is this place called anyway?”
“Oh, we just know it as the “Land Below:” you are from the “Land Above’.”
The group drifted across soft, smooth grass until they came to a crystal-clear river.
They all sat down and started chattering. Some of the women sat close to her, stroking her arm, playing with her hair, patting her lap. She felt uncomfortable with so much personal attention being paid to her. Gradually, though, they wandered off to collect nearby flowers before weaving them into crowns and necklaces. Others in the group just lay still, eyes open vacantly, staring at the sky above. It all felt very tranquil to Olivia. She sat there, looking across the river to where dense woodland crowded the far shore.
After a while, however, she became restless.
“Okay. What do we do next?”
“Do?’” There was a surprised note in Cygnia’s voice. “Do? We don’t do anything; we just are.”
“But - don’t you have work to do, to earn your keep?”
There was a burst of laughter from all those listening to the conversation.
Another voice rang out. “Work is something that only the Sons of Adam, and their children, must do. It is their punishment for leaving the Garden of Paradise. We just relax.”
Olivia felt herself flushing with embarrassment, but she persisted in her questioning.
“What about pastimes then - books, music, art and so on.”
“Such is unknown to us,” another voice piped up. “We are content to just Be.”
Olivia shook her head in disbelief. No books to read! No music! She wasn’t sure that she liked the sound of that. She looked around more keenly. Then spoke again.
“I see only women and girls. Where are the men?”
That triggered off a bout of loud giggling.
“We have no need of men. We are self-sufficient
“Children, though,” Olivia mused. “What about them? How can you have children?”
Cygnia pointed across the river.
“Over there, in the Wild Wood is where the men live.” She gave a little embarrassed cough. “When the season is right, the anointed one is given a draught of love potion and set adrift in a small boat which carries her across those waters. When she returns, she is with child - she knows not how.”
Another voice took up the tale.
“She is then carried in state to the Nursery. There, her child will be born. If a girl, she will stay there until the child reaches maturity. If a boy, he is placed in the boat which takes him across the water to the man-tribe. We have no dealings with them.”
“Blimey!” Olivia burst out. “That must make for a very boring life.”
“We do not know this thing of which you speak - boring.”
Silence fell. Olivia sat quietly musing. Here she was accepted. Here she would have an easy life. But was this what she wanted? To drift aimlessly through life, no challenges, no growth. She twirled a lock of hair around a finger and sucked on its end: a habit since early childhood.
A shadow fell across her. Charismata was standing there. She pointed upwards.
‘Look! The light is fading. Soon you must decide.”
Olivia nodded dumbly and stood up. She looked with anguished eyes at the leader’s face.
“I don’t know what to do,” she said miserably.
Charismata gently gathered her into her arms.
“I know. But only you can decide. We want you to stay with us, in the land of your mother, but the choice must be yours.”
“If I stay - what about mum and dad? Will I ever be able to see them again?”
“No. That is not possible.”
Olivia thought of her parents, good people, who had taken her in and brought her up. They had showered her with love and provided guidance, even though there had been moments of conflict as she had grown into her teens. She knew they would grieve for her - and that she would miss them. She was suddenly overwhelmed with longing to see them again, to be with them; to feel “normal” once more. She gave a little start.
“That’s it! Here they tell me I am accepted, but their way of life is very different to mine: too cloying, too claustrophobic!”
She looked directly into Charismata’s eyes. The woman nodded sadly and relinquished her hold on her. Olivia stepped back and looked around. All the women had formed a circle around her, arms inter-linked. Suddenly Cygnia broke froward.
“Here”, she said, “Take this flower as a token of our love. Remember us whenever you look on it.”
Olivia’s eyes filled with tears as she looked down on the white star-shaped bloom; its scent was overpowering. She was touched by the love she had been shown in this strange land. She felt her resolve weakening, surrendering to the lure of those around her.
“No!” She pulled herself out of her stupor. In a loud, firm voice, she proclaimed.
“Thank you all, but I must go. I want to go home. Home to the people who love me and raised me. Back to the way of l life I know.”
Cygnia moved back into the circle of women. They all began to hum: a weird, eerie note. Olivia felt a rushing wind swirl around, sucking her into a vortex filled with flashing lights and a great noise. She caught one last glimpse of her sister; arm raised in farewell. Then they were gone. She closed her eyes against the forces tossing her around. The next moment she hit something firm. She found she was lying on the ground next to the pond, whose waters now lay smooth and dark once more.
The little rabbit was still sitting there. It hopped across to her and licked her face with its small, rough tongue. She sat up and scoped it into her arms, burying her face in its soft fur, “Oh Fluff,” she murmured, “I don’t know what happened to me. Have I been dreaming? Have I been ill? Such strange things I have seen and heard!”
The rabbit jumped out of her arms onto the ground nearby. As she looked, Olivia noticed something white and star-shaped lying amongst the fallen pine needles. She bent down and picked it up gingerly.
“I know this!” she exclaimed, “I remember … Cygnia, Charismata, a welcome in a strange land.” She slowly rose to her feet. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders before speaking to the rabbit once more.
“Come on. Let’s go home.”
Fluff watched her intently, seeming to understand. He turned and, with a little hop, set off back down the path towards familiar fields and lanes.
Olivia looked down at the flower in her hand and lifted it to her lips before slowly releasing it. She watched as it drifted down and settled on the ground. She took a step forward, calling out to the rabbit bouncing ahead of her.
“Wait for me. Life can be difficult. But no matter what challenges come my way, I know one thing for sure. This is where I belong.”
Bio.
Emmie Blake lives in the UK and has, for much of her life, been involved in working with, and for, people who are severely disadvantaged by society: ex-offenders, addicts and refugees. She is currently co-administrator of the online writing group, ‘Aspiring Writers Society’, and regularly has her short stories published in their E-zine. She contributes to the online journal, ‘Different Truths,’ and has had work published in an anthology, “Vintage Voices’.
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