1 Lost, Again.

She sits in the shallow water, about ankle length,

Above her, a dragon flies. Perched upon her shoulder, a sparrow pecks the air.

She stands up, and the dragon falls.

The water splashes upon its impact, and forms mountains. The once ankle-deep waters turn into restless mountains, that have no form, yet stay in shape.

The sparrow falls, and upon its impact, a small compass forms in the palm of her hand.

It points north.

...But what is north?

In the north, lies a mountain stained red.

To the south, a mountain with an icy cap.

Headed east, a sun of bright yellow.

Rested in the west, the moon reflected on the water's surface.

Alas, the sparrow has once again asked for the girl to make her choice.

Towards the bloodstained mountain, where lies the sleeping dragon of wrath...

Towards the bloodstained mountain, where lies the lies of her heart.

She makes her way towards the mountain again. Forever out of reach, held back by the angels.

The water rises, and from it, more sparrows.

They peck at her feet, wings pushing against her back.

The angels push her from the front, "Go south," they said.

Yet, the compass would not let her.

Forever chained, forever bound.

If she did not find a way to break it, she would be forever trapped in this cycle...

But what's so wrong with that?

She had gotten used to the chaos.

As the water evaporates, and the sparrows fly away.

As the water evaporates, and the dragon flies again.

As the water evaporates, and the angels cry goodbye.

She wakes up on her bed, wet with her cold sweat.

Waking up to the shouting from next door, and the lies that it would be alright.

She sees the dragon in the hidden in her grandfather's old chest, and the sparrows in the sharp voices of the fools of the world who scream in the room next to hers.

She sees the angels in the portrait of her grandparents' portrait, and the water in her tears.

Seated below the portrait again, pecked by the sharp words, temped by the old chest, and crying, drowning in her tears and mucus.

She longs to go back to sleep.

Maybe tonight too, she will escape.

If only she knew which path to take.