by Anna Mao

Reese Bellerose rode on her black, sleek, Vesta-brand, motor scooter, attached to the sealed bright blue cart on the empty highway. The black Vesta had been her riding companion for five years. She saved up all her savings working part-time jobs during high school to purchase her dream scooter at the age of eighteen years old. The Vesta still ran well since Reese treated it respectfully throughout the years. It was her most precious possession.

Her amber eyes gazed at the cloudy night sky, realizing that it stopped raining.

Reese pulled in the brakes, gawking at the radiant cerulean blue light shooting toward the night sky.

What is that?

She stared in awe tracing the light’s source from a lake in the distance. The lake was in a dense park she often passed by on her way to work.

What could it be?  Reese wondered. A scientific phenomenon? Aliens?

Aliens. Reese thought hard, furrowing her thick black eyebrows.

Could it be an alien abduction? The short dark red-haired woman shook her head dismissing the silly idea. Even if aliens exist, there’s no UFO in the sky.

Reese continued north on the highway, exiting into a smaller road that led to the park where the lake was. As the entrance of the park appeared, Reese parked her Vesta in the empty parking lot. Turning off the engine, she hopped off her scooter and turned on a flashlight following the blue light into the woods.

The flashlight shined into the lake’s direction, but the parallel blue light was slowly fading away. Only a tiny speck of blue light remained, glowing like a firefly as it lit the darkness.

“Ahh!”

Reese crashed face down on the moist dirt, cursing silently from tripping over a branch. Her flashlight rolled away from her stinging hand.

“Damn it!” Reese crawled back on her feet, wincing at the pain. As her hand reached toward her flashlight, gleaming olive green eyes made her yelp out in surprise.

A drenched three-eyed gray cat meowed loudly at Reese, appearing almost monstrous in form.

“Oh, you’re just a cat…” Reese laughed nervously. “With three eyes…?”

I never knew cats with three eyes existed.

“Are you lost, kitty?” And why are you wet?

The cat was completely soaked as if it escaped from a bath rather than a light rain shower.

The wet feline rubbed against Reese’s legs, now caked with dirt, and nipped at her shoelaces as if she wanted Reese to follow her. The cat walked toward the lake, looking back at Reese a few times.

I guess I better follow the cat. The three-eyed cat led Reese toward a big pile on the ground. As the flashlight revealed the heap, Reese gasped in shock to see an unconscious young woman on the ground.

She sprinted quickly to the young woman, dropping down to her knees.

Reese’s mouth hung open when she stared at the woman’s pale face. It was the pretty aqua-haired woman from earlier that passed her food cart. Her long aqua strands of hair and dress was entirely soaked in water.

Reese took her wrist, feeling for her pulse.

A heavy sigh of relief escaped her. She’s still breathing.

Reese whipped out her cell phone and called the ambulance.

Please hold on a little longer,  Reese pled quietly to the unconscious woman. She did not know who she was, but she hoped the woman would make it though.

I wonder what happened to her.

Reese’s amber eyes widened when she caught a glistening blue light glowing on the woman’s left hand. The shimmer traced along the shape of a left arrow pointed birthmark. It looked like the mathematical less-than symbol.

Is that really glowing? Reese blinked hard.

The light disappeared.

Was I just imagining that? It looked like the same blue light. Reese pondered, a bit spooked that the woman’s hand was glowing.

Could the light be from that birthmark? That seems too impossible unless she was an alien…

Reese shook her head dismissing the silly idea.

She looks too human to be an alien.  Her hand hesitated to the touch the birthmark on the woman’s hand.

The sounds of ambulance sirens made Reese’s hand flinch away.

The tan woman stood up abruptly and sprinted to the ambulance, alerting them where the unconscious woman was. She watched as the medical workers carried the drenched woman into the car.

~~~

“Awaken, my daughter,” a soft voice echoed.

Marina shielded her eyes from the blinding blue rays of light.

“Who are you?” Marina was surrounded by water as if the deep sea engulfed her.

A tall celestial woman stepped out, revealing herself from the light. Her long aqua hair reached down to her waist blowing through the rippling water. Her deep azure eyes gazed softly at Marina, through her beautiful jeweled milky opal mask flashing an array of colors. Sparkling round sapphire and aquamarine crystals studded the opal mask. Marina lost her breath in her azure eyes as if she was gazing into the vast ancient deep ocean, holding mysteries of the moon.

“I am Amphidea, Goddess of the Sea and Moon,” the beautiful Goddess answered. “The gift of my powers resides in your blood, passed down by Water Priestesses before you. You are the Celestial Priestess, Priestess of Water. You must find the traitor who collapsed the bridge on the Silvery River and stop them before they do more harm. Find Tiamet and the three Celestial Priestesses.”

“Tiamet and the three Celestial Priestesses…?” Marina asked confusingly.

“Yes,” the Goddess answered. “The Fire Priestess, the Air Priestess, and the Earth Priestess. Only together can you stop the destruction that will befall on Earth.”

Before Marina can ask more questions, the Goddess’s brilliant blue light was fading away.

“Wait!” Marina called out reaching her hand toward Amphidea. The Goddess smiled softly, vanishing with the blue light.

Marina groggily opened her eyes.

Where am I…? Around her was not the sea, but white walls. As her eyesight grew clearer, Marina’s heart almost stopped when she saw Abbi and a young tan woman around their age. She stood a couple of inches shorter than Abbi and was athletic in build as if she worked out compared to her lanky gamer girlfriend.

“Marina!” Abbi exclaimed worryingly. “What happened?” Her dark brown eyes were full of confusion. It was probably the first time in years Abbi worried about her.

“I…” Marina was at a loss of words. Memories flashed through her mind of the terrifying black arm pushing her off the cliff, dragging her to the bottom of the lake.

What in the world was that thing? I felt like I was being possessed into attempting suicide. Then I saw the three-eyed cat and then…

Marina recalled her transformation and the long crystal trident she was holding. Her teal green eyes dropped down immediately, examining her hands and her body. She was still wearing her short-sleeved green dress, now completely soaked clinging to her skin. Her cold hands were bare empty.

That was all she could remember besides the surreal Goddess dream.

How am I still alive? Did everything really happen or was I hallucinating?

Abbi stared impatiently at Marina, waiting for her to answer.

“I’m glad you’re OK,” the stranger began, drawing the two women’s attention.

Marina sighed, relieved that the short dark red-haired woman saved her from answering Abbi. Her kind amber eyes and soft smile made Marina feel warm like sunlight flickering through the foliage of trees.

But there was something familiar about the woman. Have I met her before? Marina studied her round amber eyes.

Something about her eyes look so familiar like I seen her before.

“I found you unconscious by the lake, so I called the ambulance. I wouldn’t have found you if it wasn’t for this cat.”

The stranger picked up a woven basket from the chair and opened it. The three-eyed gray cat poked her head out, purring loudly to see Marina.

“That’s a cat?!” Abbi gawked, faltering back in shock at the sight of a soaked monstrous-looking skinny cat.

A deep growl escaped the small gray cat as her three hostile olive green eyes pierced angrily at Abbi.

“Woah, I think you offended her,” Reese began chuckling nervously. “She’s actually very sweet and calm. She didn’t make a fuss on the ride here.”

“Cat…” Marina’s voice fell as she reached over to hold the basket, staring at the cat’s round green eyes.

Did you save me? Why did you follow me to the park?

The feline gazed intently at Marina almost as if she knew the answers to her questions. It seems three eyes weren't the only mysterious thing about the cat.

“Is she yours?” Reese asked. “I figured I would bring her to you in case she was. She was the one who led me to you.”

“No—“ Abbi answered, cutting Marina off who was about to respond. “We don’t have any cats, especially a weird cat with three eyes,” she added in a tone of disgust.

The cat glowered at Abbi, her cold olive green eyes that could send the human to her grave.

Marina glared bitterly at Abbi. I didn’t need you to answer for me.

Reese glanced at the two, startled by the unsettling tension between them. “I guess I’ll temporarily take the cat in until I can find its owner…”

The nurse came into the room, interrupting them.

“I’m glad you’re OK, Marina,” the nurse began, smiling at the aqua-haired woman. She glanced down at her clipboard before continuing. “The tests show that you’re fine. You just need a good rest when you get back. Do you remember what happened?”

Marina fell silent.

I can’t tell them what really happened. They wouldn’t believe me.

She took a deep breath, coming in terms with her lie. “I accidentally fell into the lake and couldn’t swim back up. My leg got crampy.”

The nurse frowned. “Our tests show no issues with your leg. We suggest you to schedule an appointment with your doctor in case.”

Marina nodded understandingly.

“I hope you feel better. You’re free to go. If you need any assistance, let the front desk ladies know.”

Marina nodded again, feeling awkward about the lie. The nurse left the room.

Abbi gazed coldly at Marina. “You had me worried sick. Are you that stupid for falling into a lake?”

Reese widened her eyes in shock, speechless that her girlfriend said those words.

Marina shot Abbi an icy glare. “It’s not my fault I slipped off the cliff.”

Abbi rolled her eyes, heading toward the door. “Let’s go now.” She looked over to Reese who was disturbed by their cold interaction. “Thanks for taking care of her.”

Reese glared at Abbi, her halfhearted gratitude slipping past her mind. “How can you call your girl stupid for almost drowning?”

Marina gasped, staring at Reese.

Abbi’s mouth hung open as her dark brown eyes widened. “Wh—What did you just say?”

Reese took a step closer to Abbi, feeling the heat of the taller woman.

“You heard me,” Reese growled louder.

Abbi almost spat into Reese’s face, jabbing her finger into Reese’s chest. “This is none of your business.”

Reese clutched her fist angrily, trying to hold back from punching her.

You don’t treat your girl like that.

“Stop fighting!” Marina shouted. Her interruption tore the two women away from each other. They glanced over to Marina who was standing by the hospital bed. Her face was pale like a ghost.

Reese released her fist, feeling the guilt sting her. “I’m sorry…”

Marina shook her head, smiling at Reese. “No, thank you for helping me realize something. You’re right that no one should call their girlfriend stupid for almost dying.”

Now it was Abbi’s turn to fall into shock. “Wh—What?” was all that could escape from her mouth.

Marina swallowed hard, facing Abbi as tears brimmed in her teal green eyes. “I realized one thing when I almost died. Life is too short to spend my life with someone who doesn’t deserve me.”

Abbi scowled at Marina. “Do—Do you realize how selfish you sound right now?”

Marina shook her head, glowering at her dark brown eyes. “The one who is selfish is you. I’m… I’m breaking up with you.” Marina held her breath.

I can’t believe I finally said it… in this hospital.

Abbi gaped with shock. “You’re—you’re breaking up with me?” she stuttered.

Marina blinked back tears as her voice shook uncontrollably. “Ye—Yes, it’s over, Abbi.”

“I—I can’t believe you!” Abbi cried fighting back tears. “After all I’ve done for you!”

Marina bit down her lip hard. “I’m sorry…”

Abbi angrily clenched her fists. “You better be out by tomorrow morning.” She stormed out of the room, leaving Marina and Reese behind.

Droplets of tears escaped Marina’s teal green eyes, falling down to the palm of her hands. She stared down at her hands as her body shook.

I can’t believe it’s over. I actually broke up with her. I wish Abbi understood how I felt. Maybe I should’ve drowned in that lake.

Marina felt a gentle warm hand on her shoulder. Looking up through her blurred vision, Marina met a pair of amber eyes.

“That must been really hard for you,” Reese began softly. “I’m sorry for what you went through.”

Tears welled up more in Marina’s eyes. She sobbed.

“Hey now,” Reese said as she bent down by Marina. “I didn’t mean to make you cry more.”

Marina wiped her tears away and sniffed, frightened about her future. “I don’t have anywhere to go now…” she croaked.

“What do you mean…?” Reese asked in confusion.

Marina wiped her tears. “I’ve been living in Abbi’s apartment since my dad kicked me out. I don’t think he’ll let me move back in even if I begged.”

Reese frowned at her predicament. “You can stay at my place for a few days to figure things out.”

I can’t believe I’m offering a stranger to stay at my place. But I feel really bad for her…

Marina looked up at Reese. “No, I can’t…” I can’t drag her into my mess.

Reese smiled softly, squeezing Marina’s shoulder. “It’s fine with me.”

Marina sighed heavily, surrendering. “OK fine… Thank you…?”

What is her name?

“Reese—“ the tan woman answered with a grin. “Reese Bellerose.”

The aqua-haired woman smiled. “Thank you, Reese."