Far From Home

Chapter Eight - Are You There Goddess? It’s Me, Lilly.

I hear whining and I try to open my eyes but the only thing around me is darkness. I reach out to Opal but I’m only met with the same whine. I realize the whine is coming from Opal and she sounds injured. I panic but I can’t even tell if I’m alive. I’m in some type of purgatory, now I must actually be in a coma. That’s the only thing that would make sense.

‘Opal, are you there? Are you injured?’

Silence.

It feels like I’m floating and I have no sense of time. There is only darkness. I can’t even sense Opal anymore. How long have I been here? An hour, a day, weeks, years? Some of my friends visited one of those blackout pools once and they said it was eerie, I imagine it must’ve been like this. Lucky for them though there was a light at the end of the tunnel or at least over the exit door. It feels like I was just scratching the surface of who I truly am and what my life could be and now I am... nothing. I drift through the darkness alone for who knows how long until one moment I think I see a bright light approaching. I must be hallucinating now. Can you hallucinate in a coma?

Lilly my daughter, says the most ethereal voice I’ve ever heard. I look towards where I thought I had imagined the bright light and in its place a see a figure walking towards me. She is stunning and the very vision of grace. I instantly know she is our beloved Moon Goddess and I know now that I have died. She chuckles and softly grabs my chin, lifting my eyes to meet her own. You are not dead my child. In fact, you have so many great things to accomplish still. It’s almost time for you to return but I needed a moment with you first daughter. I can’t believe what I’m hearing, what I’m seeing, and what I’m feeling. Ever since the night I first shifted I have experienced things that shouldn’t be possible and yet here I am, face to face with the Moon Goddess herself. I lower my gaze and she once again lifts my chin. You are so special my Lilly. Do not lower yourself to anyone. You are rare. You are exquisite and I have plans for you.

“What Goddess, what would you have me do? I’m so very confused and conflicted,” I plead with her.

I know, my child. All will be revealed soon. You have found your family at last and they will guide you but heed my warning - they are not all who they seem to be. Be safe my beautiful, special daughter. And with that she is gone. I blink again and it is just me alone in the darkness once more. But wait, I can sense my wolf again. Opal is stirring!