Sierra Durbin

Drowning the Flame

Sierra Durbin

Her hair resembles the fiery embers of a conflagration’s miraculous appearance﹘bold, beautiful, and brilliant. The tips spark while wind from the brewing storm blows beneath the ashy, weeping clouds. A menacing growl escapes from the forming mist, intimidating the dauntless blaze. Droplets trail from the sky, extinguishing the fearsome flames. Water rises like a creeping spider crawling closer up her skin. She grows smaller as transparent walls restrict her to a confining box, filling with water. She struggles to fight against the current, an anchor of worry weighing her down. After splashing frantically, she senses water approaching her lips. Ice-cold water fills her lungs as she gasps for breath, her mouth dry and bitter from the salt. Aggressive, midnight blue waves threaten to engulf her spirit. The water becomes a suffocating blanket. Her thoughts compete in a relentless race; however, time remains her enemy. To survive, she must combat self-doubt. Sinking beneath the water, the frail creature glimpses at the horrid sea monsters patiently waiting, mouths open and full of razor-sharp needles. Her heart pounds out of her chest. A pungent smell of smoke lingers in the air. She endures a roller coaster of terror and nausea. A shrill squeal fills her ears; her body feels numb. Weakness is strength: she keeps pushing forward. Suddenly, the calm melody of a whale song echoes in her ears. Hope sparkles in the distance with the sight of land. Her cheeks flush like a rose with the returning flame, and she recalls that no matter the obstacle to always keep swimming.