Returning to the Threshold

Since writing my post for Sue Vincent’s Write Photo challenge on April 4th, I’ve been thinking what someone would do for 24 hours in a strange and unfamiliar world.
Photo courtesy of Sue Vincent for her April 4th challenge.

There’s always the possibility that a day underwater is not determined by sunrise and sunset but on the turn of the tide, so time as we know it might be totally different.
Also there is the subject of clothes as we don’t want him to get arrested. Technically, he would be naked as aquatic creatures (or mer-people ) don’t exactly wear suits!
This opens up an entire can of worms of my own doing, so my next piece is written with all the obvious questions miraculously irrelevant (what a cop out I know  ;D ).

The sand felt different with no water covering it, though to feel it between the protuberances on these feet things attached to unfamiliar legs was extremely odd.
He soon got the hang of walking though and ambled up the path to the top of the rocks.
It was hotter here, though colour was nothing like the coral of his land.
White was intermittent with blue, and the glorious yellow orb warmed his face as well as his spirits. Overhead white trails followed specks in the sky, creatures fluttered across his line of vision, soft wings buzzed in his ear, fragrance was everywhere, and he tried to drink it all in.
A weird shaped box grumbled along the road, periodically stopping and either swallowing or spewing people out along the way. He thought he’d steer clear.
‘Good morning’ said a voice and turning he saw the top half of a man in a field.
He raised his hand in acknowledgement, afraid to vocalise a return greeting in case he gave himself away.
He walked into a place of activity and bustle, where he stood watching and wondering what to do next. Something round glinted on the ground and he bent to pick it up. Turning it slowly in his hands he read ‘Two Pounds’ then noticed a sign
‘Tea and Scone, £2’.
He went inside.
The smell of fresh baking hit his nostrils, making his mouth water.
He sat down, quietly observing his surroundings.
A tray was placed before him, and watching others around him, he mimicked them.
The scone melted in his mouth. There was nothing in his world that could come close.
The liquid was pleasant, but he wouldn’t mind not savouring that again though he wished he could take part of the scone back with him in the hope someone would be able to reproduce it. He thought better of it and put the last few crumbs in his mouth instead , smiling broadly at the the sheer pleasure of it. His secret.
He left the coin on the table and walked out.
Miniatures of people were running round now, all dressed alike, shouting and laughing. Similar to his world and education of the merlings he guessed.
The sun was low in the sky and he knew he had to get back.
It had been a magical day. Maybe there would be another, maybe not, but he was glad he had been permitted to experience one day on land.

Advertisement