In the water

Jessica stood on the waterfront as the sun sank down, afraid to dip her toes because she had been told how cold the water could be on a day like this. The sun's reflection stretched out to touch her, and she felt its warmth enveloping her, trying to pull her forth. But it wasn't until she saw a turtle wash up on shore beside her that she stepped forward.

The water felt like ice around her ankles, and she almost danced back away from it, but the warmth of the sun was still on her skin, like it was trying to protect her. She looked out directly into the sun's rays, blinded by it's light, and took another step forward. She couldn't see, and yet her eyes did not hurt or tear. As she proceeded into the water, its icy cold covered her, but the warmth of the sun did not leave. She was frigid and warm simultaneously. It made no sense, but she did not think on it. She just kept walking forward.

When she could see, there was no sand under her feet. There was no ground of any kind. Jessica was floating in the water, her dress rising from her knees to be around her waist, moving neither up nor down. She looked beside her to see the turtle from the beach swimming beside her, like a guide leading her down into the depths of the abyss below.

Before her were massive buildings, carved from limestone with great care and artistry, entangled with seaweed, fish drifting in and out of doors and windows like villagers moving to and fro throughout a market on a busy day. Streams of lights came from above, wavering in front of her eyes thanks to the motion of the ocean in the distance, casting shadows that changed with every instant.

The city abandoned by time and history swam before her, calling to her, and she accepted its summons. She drifted down into the streets, her bare feet touching down softly on smooth stone preserved by the still water it was submerged in. It was empty of people which may have once walked its streets, yet Jessica could feel the life in every stone, and every drop of water. She was surrounded by more life than she had ever experienced before, but it did not overwhelm her. It welcomed her, and drew her forth, and she accepted its invitation.