Darkness of the night

Amidst the gentle flow of water, a wordless melody danced, harmonizing with the rhythm of my rowing. The currents sang a song, accompanied by the falling droplets from the oar's blade, akin to my tears. The river beneath the gray, cloud-covered sky seemed to understand my sorrow in a way no human could. On the opposite shore, there was no one waiting for me—only the looming shadows of the forest and the night breeze rustling through the bare branches.

Under normal circumstances, there should have been no leaves, grass, moss, or flowers around, for the passing of Justin, my beloved, should have plunged the world into mourning. Yet, to my surprise, nature clung to its springtime finery, oblivious to my loss. Even after two months, the outside world scarcely noticed his absence, and even his parents encouraged me to move on.

I moored my boat to a sycamore tree, its peeling white and gray bark providing support as I clutched my rings tightly on my finger. I refused to play the role of a widow adorned with gold and diamonds, burdened by their weight around my neck, especially when there was still a glimmer of hope to bring him back.

Through the shadows of the forest, I stumbled forward, falling repeatedly, yet resisting the urge to use my phone's flashlight. The darkness was necessary for what I sought. Unexpectedly, a cavern's mouth loomed before me, threatening to engulf me in its inky midnight embrace. Filled with nightmarish thoughts and gruesome tales, I couldn't shake the feeling that a lurking monster followed my every step.

But my determination to reunite with Justin outweighed my fear. In the depths of the cave, a voice echoed through the ground, asking why I had come to this place. Paralyzed, I couldn't speak, my mind consumed by swirling shadows. The voice prompted me to leave if I had nothing to say, but I couldn't allow cowardice to rule me. Despite my tongue's silence, my hand opened the case, revealing my violin.

The scent of resin and the familiar feel of Rosewood comforted me as memories of Justin filled my mind. With each stroke of the bow, I conjured the notes that represented our journey together—the joy of our first meeting, the bashful courtship, and the joyous wedding that followed. However, foreboding undertones crept in, foretelling the tragedy that followed our vows.

The music poured out, recounting the chaos of his disappearance, the pain of searching, and the agony of finding him collapsed. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I allowed the echoes to fade before carefully returning the violin to its case. The voice spoke again, granting my request, but there was a price to pay. Justin would be returned to me when the moon was dark in two months, but until then, I must not speak his name.

The prospect of two months of silence weighed heavily on my heart. How could I manage to avoid speaking his name without drawing attention? But the alternative—losing him forever—was unthinkable. As I rowed back, moonlight painted the river with silver, and the water continued its melodic song. Whether it sang of sadness or hope remained a mystery.