Gail's Red Horizon

I can see her across the water, standing alone. Her red hair is blowing fiercely in the wind, long strands flicking in the air. Her striking, blue eyes are wide open and staring ...

I watch as she turns sharply and reaches up towards ...

The red sky.

Red sky in the morning. Sailors take warning.

What day is it? Last Thursday. It took a while to travel back to this very moment, where it all happened. I had to wait until I was ready to face it again.

It is hard watching her, my Gail … vanish.

My bare feet dig into the cool sand. I am dressed in my body suit, ready to battle the watery depths. Staring at the sea, I can see that the waves were very dangerous last Thursday.

The water is very choppy. The waves crest sharply, almost jolting in the air. The red sky casts a dark, looming shadow, blocking the light from reaching the waves.

I can see Gail snatching at the sky now with her hands, trying to grab a slice of the red ether. She swipes at it several times, unsuccessfully.

Finally, she grasps a mass of red. It crackles in her hands, burning like fire.

Tossing the fiery sky flames to and fro across each hand, she closes her eyes. She is so beautiful when silent, a mesmerising vision I cannot take my eyes off. Images of her still fill my every waking dream. If only I could reach her ...

Suddenly, Gail releases the fiery flames into the sky. As they crackle, they burn a hole into the ether. It is a hole that expands quickly into the shape of a large, white sail.

The sail ascends into the sky, flapping gently in the breeze. As it floats through the air, it waves at me, beckoning for me to follow it.

Taking a few steps across the sand, I approach the sea. The water is now very still, like it is silently waiting for me to enter it. I take a deep breath, reassuring myself to take the chance.

Gingerly, I take a small step into the water. It feels warm and smooth against my bare feet and legs. Bumping my feet into something firm, I peer through the watery depths. In the foggy water I can see that it is the spar of a mast.

Reaching into the water, I lift the spar, groaning as I bend my legs to support its heavy weight. As the spar stands vertically, ropes begin to sprout from it, forming rigging.

I look up at the sky. It is a vibrant red, swirling away above my head. It could be any moment before that severe storm hits ...

I heave the heavy spar and its rigging up into the air with both hands, gaining the attention of the sail as it floats in the breeze. Its loud laugh rips through the air as it zooms towards me.

Stretching out its tough fabric, the sail latches onto the rigging, attaching itself confidently. Suddenly the mast is billowing with its sail and pulls sharply, wanting to take off.

Still clutching the mast with both hands, I am now floating across the water, journeying out further and further.

I can see Gail now, her red hair flickering in the air, out on the distant horizon. It is the last place I saw her …

Her mouth is open wide and she is yelling hysterically. Her feet are stamping firmly on the starboard deck of the ship, which is stationary. It has no mast.

If only I can hear her precious, lingering words ... I miss her so much.

My Gail. The woman I love with all my heart.

She is stranded, right where she is. Looking up at the red sky, her eyes are widening, just like they did before.

Gail knows what’s about to happen.

I am clutching onto the mast with all my might as it zips through the water like a magnet towards the hull. I am beginning to shiver as I feel the cold wind slapping against my body. I shake with the chills of being drenched.

My eyes find Gail once more. I watch as she peers over the side of the ship, staring at the water. She didn’t jump in, did she ...? Is that how she vanished?

Crash! The striking sound of thunder. The storm is approaching quickly. Can this mast move any faster?

Suddenly, I am blasting through the water, clinging desperately onto the mast. It must have read my mind. My body is now being dragged across the water’s surface at great speed.

I am panting, trying to catch a breath. At times the strong pull of the mast flicks my body horizontally up in the air.

I have nearly arrived at the hull. There Gail stands, screaming again. She looks terrified. I can hear her words now.

“Take me with you!” Gail is screaming, staring up at the sky.

I am only a metre away now, very close to the moment just before she...

The mast smashes into the hull of the ship, sending me flying into the air. I hear a giant splash as the mast sinks into the depths of the sea.

Bang! I land with a giant thud on my back on the starboard deck, right at Gail’s feet.

“Please take me with you!” She is pleading desperately.

For a moment, I am dazed. The world around me spins as with dizziness as I try to regain my bearings.

“Over here!” I can hear Gail’s voice clearly now. I can feel the pressure of her feet stamping on my chest.

“Aw!” I groan. The fogginess of my sight is disappearing. I can see far more clearly now. As Gail continues to stamp on me, I grab her feet, lifting her up in the air.

“Let go of me!” She cries, kicking her feet in protest. She stares downwards, trying to discover her captor.

Sitting up, I grab her legs and pull her down onto my lap.

“Pierre!” She cries, her eyes wide with surprise.

“My beautiful, fierce Gail,” I say, tears beginning to fall down my cheeks. “I finally reached you.”

“You did,” Gail says, a single tear dropping from her left eye and rolling down her cheek.

After a moment, Gail grabs my left shoulder. “We don’t have much time, Pierre,” she says hoarsely. “The storm’s about to hit.”

“I know,” I say, touching her face, her hair. She closes her eyes, her lips forming a smile.

Gail bites her lip, enjoying the caress. Opening her eyes she stares deeply into mine. “That’s lovely,” she sighs.

Leaning towards me, Gail presses her lips against mine. Her mouth is soft, warm and familiar. I kiss her back with all my heart.

I begin to feel warmer with her body pressed up against mine. The chills seem to have disappeared.

As the rain begins to shower upon us, I hold Gail tightly, protecting her from the increasing storm.

“Oh Pierre!” She begins to sob. “It’s happening again, just like before.”

I grab hold of Gail’s shoulders, sitting her up with me. As I do, I catch sight of a magnificent vision.

A large dragon is swooping down towards us with a fiercely determined look on its face.

“Not like before, Gail,” I say, pointing at the dragon. “Is that who you were calling for?”

Gail turns and stares up at the sky. Her lips form an excited smile. “Yes!” she cries. “It’s Jarwood, the dragon. He must have heard me calling for him.”

As Jarwood lands on the deck, he pauses for a moment, taking deep breaths. Sitting back, I do not dare to approach the dragon, knowing it will be startled by my presence.

Stretching his wings, Jarwood stands tall and cocks his head, peering across the ship. Once his eyes rest on Gail, he sighs contentedly.

“Hello Jarwood,” says Gail, standing slowly and approaching the dragon. “Thankyou for coming here.” She reaches into her pant pocket, pulling out a trout fish. “Here, for you,” she says, offering it to Jarwood.

Jarwood takes the trout in his mouth, cooing with gratitude as he devours the food.

“Come meet Jarwood, Pierre,” Gail says, waving me over.

Standing slowly, I approach Gail and Jarwood. My legs are shaking a little as I consider just how powerful the dragon is. “What a beautiful dragon you are, Jarwood,” I say.

Jarwood nods, as though he agrees. Resting his head against me, he lets me pat him.

Crash! Another thunder strike. We all jump, startled.

The rain is really teeming down now, soaking us all. It won’t be long before the ship begins to sink.

“How did you lose the mast?” I ask Gail.

“A flash of lightening hit it,” she says, sighing. “Sent it flying into the water. Here I am in what’s left of the ship.”

“Not for much longer,” I say, looking at Jarwood. “It’s really time to leave now.”

Jarwood bends down, lowering himself onto his stomach so we can climb up onto his back. Gail approaches Jarwood, grasping his skin firmly and hoisting herself up.

I wait for Jarwood and Gail to be comfortable before I approach him. “Are you okay if I climb on your back too?” I ask him.

Jarwood coos, nodding his head.

Clutching onto the dragon’s side, I hoist myself up onto his back with all my might.

Jarwood jumps up, shaking his body to adjust to the new weight. Lifting his wings, he runs a couple of steps forward and launches into the red sky.

It is a surreal experience, flying on the back of a dragon, as it blows its fire onto the stormy water. Around us, mini flames emerge in the sky, lighting our way through the now semi-darkness.

I can still feel the power of the storm but am warmed by the fiery lights that Jarwood creates.

After some time, Jarwood descends from the sky, preparing to land. His feet thump onto the sandy beach.

Kneeling down, Jarwood lets us dismount from his back. My bare feet feel the comfort of the sand once more.

“Thankyou Jarwood,” Gail says softly, digging into her pocket and pulling out another trout. “Enjoy this.”

Jarwood munches on the trout, his eyes staring off into the distance.

I take this moment to look at Gail. Her beautiful, long red hair is flowing in the wind. Her muscular body is fit from the strength needed to sail. The fierce woman of my heart and soul.

Once Jarwood stops eating, he stands and begins to blow a gentle fire. It lights up the sand, forming a rectangular doorway.

“Goodbye Jarwood,” says Gail, a tear rolling down her right cheek. “I will miss you.”

Jarwood coos and smiles. Opening his mouth, he begins to swallow the red sky.

“The danger is disappearing,” I say, staring out at the horizon.

“Yes,” says Gail. “It is. Jarwood will use it to recharge his fire.”

We watch as the remnants of the red ether vanish, leaving a black nothingness.

“This world will disappear soon,” says Gail. “We need to exit through that doorway now.”

I nod, waving goodbye to Jarwood and approaching the doorway. “Hold my hand,” I say, reaching for hers.

Gail looks up into my eyes, smiling. “My Pierre,” she says gently. “I am so thankful that we get to be together again.”

“Me too,” I smile back. “May our new present together be one that is peace-“

“Hold your thought right there,” says Gail, smiling cheekily. “We know our lives are jam packed with adventure. Bring on the next one!”

“Yes,” I say. “We’ll face it together.”

“Let’s go!” Gail calls, grabbing my hand and pulling me forward. We burst through the open doorway, ready to face a new life of adventure … together.