by Jean Booth
I blushed, my abdomen tightened, liquid heated my core, my nipples hardened into little pebbles. He hadn’t even been this close to me when he woke me. I felt like I was falling into his teal eyes that shimmered with a heat that mirrored mine. After he’d said I was beautiful, all his words blurred together. He was so close, and we were both tormented by restraint. I couldn’t have held back if my life depended on it. Not with him so close and looking so tortured.
I kissed him. Just a slight brush of lips on lips, but I felt it to the very core of my soul. I felt as if I had just come home and for the very first time was whole. Everything changed, yet everything was the same when my lips parted from his.
A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts and he leapt away from me. He looked relived, or confused. I couldn’t tell which. “Who calls?”
“It is I, Michael. I have the woman’s dress, is she awake? I’d very much like to see her. The whole island is talking about the gift Poseidon sent us. The Council is demanding you bring her to them, conscious or not.”
Raif clenched his hands into fists, and closed his eyes for a moment to collect himself. The man really needed to learn how to mask his feelings. I stood up and walked over to him. Timidly, I put my hand on the middle of his back, and as he turned, I hugged him close to me. His chest was solid under my cheek and I could hear his heart beating very fast. He waited a moment, and then I felt his arms engulf my upper body. I felt tiny, and I’d never felt tiny before.
“Are you okay?” I whispered so Michael wouldn’t hear us from the other side.
“Why did you…? Yes, I am well. We should let Michael in so you can change.”
He released me from his embrace and slowly brought his hand down my arm to entwine his fingers into mine. I could not suppress the shiver that ran down my spine. His other hand opened his bedroom door to reveal a small, skinny man holding fabric of deep teal, darker than Raif’s eyes. The man’s eyes bulged at the sight of me in Raif’s tunic, holding his hand.
He was beautiful in his own way, but didn’t have the presence Raif had. He was my height, with ice blond hair, blue eyes, and shiny blue-tan skin. If it weren’t iridescent, I’d have thought he had the pallor of a dead surfer. He too wore nothing but pants, but as Raif’s were teal, Michael’s were the same blue of his eyes. His smaller stature was incredibly muscular as well, but only a third the size of Raif’s. He was actually more my type than Raif was; yet I felt nothing compelling about him at all. Next to Raif, Michael was insignificant.
“Hello! I’m Michael. You recovered rather quickly; I was in a coma for about a week before I was introduced. I’m almost sorry to give you this dress; I’d never thought to see anyone in Raifuku’s clothing but him. It’s rather cute. Do they say cute anymore up there? Sorry, I’m babbling. Raifuku, you’d better get her to the castle quickly. I’ll go and alert the Council to your arrival. Nice to meet ya, lady.” Michael tossed the dress to me and scurried off. Raif looked back at me reluctantly as he made his way out of the room, finally shutting the door and leaving me as alone as I could be, knowing he was on the other side, waiting.
After they left and I was alone in Raif’s room, it finally hit me that I was trapped here. Dropping the dress, I ran to the only other door to find it was a bathroom with a window that didn’t open. Entering back into the bedroom, I discovered that the windows here were unlocked, but I as much as I wanted to get back home to see my family, I was hesitant to leave Raif. One thing I knew I needed was to get dressed. I couldn’t very well escape in nothing but a long shirt. Picking up the dress, I was once again distracted by the texture of the fabric here. It was a softer than silk dress of deep teal, it shimmered ever so slightly in the sun coming in through the windows and was a perfect fit.
After I was clothed, I looked through my belongings for the pouch in my swimsuit that I’d put my necklace in, and put it on. I felt profoundly relieved with it nestled between my breasts again. It was gently tucked under the dress so that no one could see it, but I could feel its comforting weight against my skin. It’s strange, the things you find comforting when your world is crashing down around you. The mundane little things seemed to ground me, make me able to process more than the nagging, physical ache I had with wanting to throw the door open and see Raif again.
I wasn’t sure how—or even if—I was processing anything, but I went about my methodical way of cleaning, organizing, and identifying everything I had left. Once I located my camera, I quickly took a picture of the room. Suddenly I was struck by the thought that I was still acting as though I’d be able to show Ash all my photos when I got home. But I wouldn’t be going home. I was trapped, on an island that shouldn’t exist. I’d essentially died to all of my family. I leaned against the wall, my legs suddenly unable to support me.
I started shaking. I’d died. Was I still dead? Was this all some bizarre hallucination? Atlantis isn’t real—everyone knows that. It’s a myth told by Plato to convince people that a democratic society was perfect—until it wasn’t. If this was a dream, or death, it was certainly very real. I slid down the wall and brought my knees to my chest to control the shaking in my body. My heart beat to a steady crescendo behind my breasts that were cleverly contained in this ridiculous dress made for a princess. A scream started deep in my throat. Not one borne of fear, but deeper; the scream of rage. If I gave into it, I knew tears would certainly follow, and I hated showing that much vulnerability to people I liked, let alone to complete strangers.
I could feel him coming before the door slammed opened and Raif barreled in. I didn’t think I’d ever understand or be able to explain what it felt like to have someone else inside you. Not in a sexual way, or a maternal way, but as if there was a faint echo of another being inside my very soul. It unnerved me more than the thought of dying or being in a mythical continent ever could.
“What is wrong?” Raif bellowed as he quickly searched the room, a wickedly curved knife in one hand. I realized that the scream I was holding back had morphed into some pathetic keening noise. It was unacceptable. Bolting to my feet, I ran up to him.
“I died!” I screamed back at him. “I fucking died and can’t ever see my family again! What the hell am I supposed to do with that?” He stopped his search as if he’d been punched. His knife dropped to the floor and his hands revealed his helplessness, held open by his sides. “How am I supposed to live down here? What about Ash?” I dropped back to the floor, my heart breaking at the thought of my little niece never knowing what happened to her aunt. To never see her face again, never hear her hyena laugh. Visions of things I’d miss with her ran through my head. A weight like none I’d ever felt landed on my heart. Tears poured down my cheeks, sobs wracking my body in great waves of hopeless despair. I was helpless to contain them.
“How can you keep me prisoner here, when we both know I don’t belong?” I looked up at Raif, not caring about my heartbreak. “Why can’t you just send me back?” He knelt in front of me; anguish contorting his face to mirror the pain of my own.
“I do not know how to fix this. We have had few Surface Dwellers enter our domain, but all seemed more relieved at being here than anything else. You are the first to come to me, and I am not adept at the gentler parts of life. You should have gone to someone else. You deserve better than me.” Wrapping me in his arms, he gently caressed my hair.
I closed my eyes, leaning into his touch. As frustrated, scared, and upset as I was, just being with him helped. My tears slowed, the anguish wasn’t so much to bear.
“You have to meet with our king and the priest. They have been demanding your presence, but I refused to let anyone see you in your previous state. The thought of others seeing your natural form causes a reaction in me that I do not wholly understand, but am not willing to examine or accept.” His jaw and arms were tight as he told me this, as if he were holding onto his anger and jealousy by a thread. I had to admire him in his indignation and was flattered that a complete stranger should have even an ounce of c
oncern about my nudity. I leaned into his chest, his arms relaxing into a gentle embrace. We both sighed. “It is not all bad here. While you did not choose to arrive, I cannot in all honestly say I am disappointed at having you here.” I smiled into his chest.
“Thank you, Raif, for being kind.” I could feel his whole body melt in my arms. I wasn’t sure if it was me, or the electric current zipping through, but surely no one could stay tense with that much stimulation. Just hugging him made me forget everything else in my life. I’d never dreamed that I could love someone so much in such a short time.
Wait.
No.
I don’t love him.
I’ve only known him for an hour! This isn’t possible. I can believe that I died, I can even believe in the existence of a mythical island, but this?
No way.
I pulled away before he noticed I was shaking.
“Raif, tell me about Atlantis. If I am going to be stuck here, I’d like to at least know a little about it.” I was amazed that my voice hid the trembling I still felt in my limbs. I prayed that whatever was happening to me was just an after effect of dying, or almost dying, or whatever had happened. I prayed fervently that I’d be able to leave this place and return to Katie and Ash where I at least understood my life. I couldn’t live without them, and a portion of my heart was starting to believe that I wouldn’t be able to live without this man I barely knew. I desperately needed a distraction.
“What would you care to know?” Raif’s voice was barely above a whisper, and it was quavering so badly I knew he was having just as much difficulty as I was. A distraction would be good for both of us.
“Anything, everything. How did it come about? What’s your culture like? Why’d you sink? Where were you located? I want to know it all.” I was pacing his room, slowly distancing myself from him because my entire being wanted to fling myself into his arms and never let go. What was wrong with me? Maybe when I met with the priests they’d tell me that this was some weird Atlantean bond and that when I left, it would too.
“I will tell you the story that is passed down from generation to generation in my family. Our origin is a rather long story, and barring no interruptions, should last as we walk toward the castle. I cannot delay your introductions any further, or I will face the king’s wrath. Would that be sufficient for you?” He was so animated, mesmerizing really. I found myself leaning against his plush bed just watching him talk. Every nuance was displayed on his face, his whole body shared in his frustration and love for his homeland. I’d never seen someone so open, so vulnerable, and innocent.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
I was very careful not to touch him as we left his house. I wasn’t sure what would happen anymore. It felt like every time I made contact with him, my heart left to meld with his. Even after just a few casual touches, I felt bereft without him. Emotions I’d never felt before clutched my heart into a vise that was nearly debilitating in its pain. I clenched my hands into fists by my sides in direct violation of their deepest desire.
He destroyed all my good intentions when we walked out the door and his hand found my clenched fist and molded itself perfectly to me. We both immediately relaxed. He looked down at our hands in shock.
“Forgive me. I am unsure what has come over me. I did not mean to take liberties.” He moved to let go of me and I held on tighter.
“Raif, please. It’s harmless. I think we both feel better touching, even though I don’t understand why. I need to feel better right now though, so please, just hold my hand.” If he knew what it cost me to admit to needing another person’s comfort, he never showed it. He was distracting me from my first glimpse of an island that before today I thought was only a myth told to give hope to those who lived in oppression.
This place brought out hushed tones; it was a place of refuge and respect. It was more pure than any cathedral I’d ever stepped foot in and more beautiful than any garden found on any magazine cover. It quite literally took my breath away with its splendor.
A stone path led away from Raif’s house. The stones were a deep russet, and I’d never seen any like them before. They were multifaceted like a ruby, and led to a road of packed dirt. From there, I saw two more red stone paths meandering away, but couldn’t see where they led, or much else past the solid dirt road as massive trees blocked most of my view. They towered higher than any skyscraper I’d seen at home; the tops lost in the cloud cover. There were big, white, fluffy clouds scattered throughout the blue sky, almost completely hiding the shimmer of something beyond.
“Wow.” My exclamation was hushed, more of an exhalation of breath at the natural serenity. “It’s even more beautiful than I could have dreamed about. Raif, how do you live in such beauty and not weep for its perfection? Is everything as amazing as you in this place?” I’d stopped to take everything in, blushing as I realized what I’d said and how I’d said it.
I tugged at his hand to continue walking, hoping he wouldn’t notice the color in my cheeks. The red stone felt spongy, and I moved closer to the edge to inspect the flowers. In the middle of a massive forest that seemed to be immaculately tended, there were flowers and foliage taller than me. I was certain they had to be fake. The blooms were as big as my head and when I leaned in to smell them, the fragrance was intoxicating. The purity and beauty of the forest brought tears to my eyes.
Something moved in my peripheral and I clenched tighter to Raif’s arm. A small herd of deer with large, moose-like antlers were starting to drive their young across our path into Raif’s yard, where there were herds more each nibbling on the grass next to his home.
He lived in the middle of a naturally forming forest field. I’d seen them before when I’d taken Ashlyn hiking in the mountains. But none were as large as the space he occupied. I was following Raif, trailing slightly behind but still holding his hand. There were rabbits and all sorts of wildlife meandering through the field, unbothered by our presence. Butterflies of all colors flitted from flower to flower. They flew off in a cloud of rainbow wings to find another place to rest, changing the color and design of the flower completely without their multicolored wings to distract the eye.
The path we were on was hidden in shade from the trees, and it was very cool. I couldn’t believe the colors and the wildlife that were milling about in this small area. Raif had to tug my hand a few times to get me moving away from my visual exploration of this small field and the forest beyond.
“You wanted our story, Natasha, but perhaps we should start with a geography lesson first?” He was smirking at me, his teal eyes dancing with barely restrained laughter.
I laughed, the sound echoing off the trees. The animals looked up, but none seemed concerned about my expression of joy. Raif laughed too, and it was like music to my soul. His bass chuckle blended perfectly with my higher pitched one.
“That’d be wonderful, Raif. This is unlike any place I’ve ever seen before. It’s unlike anything I’ve even dreamed of. You have a beautiful home.”
“Come, I will explain while we walk. You still must meet with the king and the priests. Atlantis was formed with the rest of the world, millennia ago. My descendants lived on the surface with you. Over eleven thousand years ago, there was a war, and we were thrust into the ocean. It is understandable that your people have reduced us to myth, when I am certain that many things of that time were thrust into legend. That is the story we will discuss later, now is just geography.” I listened in amazement as we walked along, hand-in-hand. His words weren’t quite able to distract me from the beauty surrounding us, rather they enhanced everything, his deep bass tones soothing and exciting me at the same.
“The world was created; each part was equally distributed to different gods. They did not quarrel amongst themselves at which section they received, instead they took their part and molded it into a land that they were pleased with. Poseidon was allotted with Atlantis. It was just a hunk of mountainous land when he started with it, the tallest of peaks being
at the center of the island. It was at the base of this mountain that Poseidon created his temple and the main palace. It is the heart of Atlantis. He divided the rest of the land into rings with four floating sentries. The land of Atlantis is extremely fertile; anything that is planted and tended will grow here without difficulty thanks to Poseidon. He gathered all types of the differing animals that were ever created, and brought them to Atlantis to thrive. Poseidon loves variety, and created a land where all could live and thrive. He divided his central island, the only island actually called Atlantis, to be set apart from the rest. It is only accessible from a bridge that was created, with Poseidon’s blessing, by his people.
“The second island rings the center and is called Melic. It holds the king’s first uncle who is second in line to the throne. The island was originally divided in half for the different princes to rule, however this changed after we sank. It is only ruled by one now. There is a hearty bunch of both people and wildlife that thrive upon that island ring. It is a harsher land, though, as it is almost completely mountainous.
“Wait, how can it be both harsh and fertile? That seems impossible,” I interrupted. The ground had shifted once we left the beautiful haven of his home, the red rock giving way to a pale path interspersed with the first normal thing I’d seen since I’d arrived—dull, gray stone.