The Way of Water

A gentle spring of clear water squirted from between the cracks on the rock and Rain cupped her palm to quench her thirst and wash her face.

Farther away, a narrow valley stretched between a gorge. Like Stella had said, the valley was flooded. Like a shallow basin, with still dirty and shallow water.

The depth would at least reach above her ankles but not up to her knees. With her skirt folded high to her waist, Rain made it down to the gorge and walked across the valley.

The air was cold and so the water was freezing. Once she dipped a leg, she shivered tremendously. With every gasp she took, white air escaped between her lips and her grip around her skirt turned as pale as a sheet of paper.