The Pond

A thick brush of reeds swayed with the gentle caress of a warm breeze as the silent water brushed against the low banks. Tadpoles and newts hid amongst winding tree roots from the threat of the predator skulking above. The soft squelching of pads on the wet soil stopped suddenly a fox picked up a new scent floating towards him, his sharp senses alerted to the presence approaching and within moments the bank was empty as a sudden chill fell across the pond…

“We used to love this pond”. A voice from the opposite bank broke into the now empty space.
“I remember coming here when I was a child”. She choked a muffled laugh. “Well, not only as a child, but those are my favorite memories”.
Unhooking a backpack and placing it down she unfurled a blanket and laid it on the grass beside the waters edge, slowly lowering herself upon it.
“It’s much harder these days but being here makes it all worthwhile”.
She snagged the pack closer and began pulling various containers out, organizing them around her.
“Eggs again, meat prices are up, so is bus travel”. She let out a long sigh. “I suppose it’s to be expected but we make the best of things.
She opened one of the containers, pulled out half an egg mayo sandwich and took a large bite followed by another long sigh.
“Not as good without those thick slices of pork the butcher used to cut”. She laughed softly. “He was a good man, it was unfair what happened to him…what happened to all of us”.
She paused as the warm sunshine above slowly faded into the treeline and began casting a dark shadow on the horizon behind them.

An audible crack echoed in the small space as she shifted in her seat.
“I’ll never get used to that…”
Taking another bite, she smiled opening up another container.
“I found these on the way here, not summer fresh but just as sweet”.
The container was filled with various berries and fruits. Placing a blackberry on her tongue she squeezed the tender fruit against the roof of her mouth, savoring the burst of juice.
“Mmmm, you don’t get them this sweet at the store”.
Taking another, this one a brighter shade of red, she did the same.
“I remember them being much sweeter, but I guess it could just be my imagination”. Placing a finger and thumb to her temple she rubbed her forehead. “Or my memory…things are becoming harder to remember these days”.
A sudden cold wind brushed her skin causing a violent shiver to travel down her spine.
“Less of that would be appreciated thank you”.
Looking up to the tree line the sun was all but completely gone as it took the last increments of warmth from the earth. She bowed her head and let out another deep sigh.
“My mistake, I guess I did arrive later than usual”.
She took another bite from the sandwich continuing until only the crusts remained.
“Not many animals about these parts these days, I remember when the swans and ducks used to wait here to take my crusts because I didn’t want my hair to get any curlier”.
She began breaking the crusts into small pieces and putting them in a pile on the blanket.
“Didn’t help of course, I still have all these curls and frizz to deal with”. With a throaty laugh she lifted a boney hand to her scalp and patted the bare skin in search of what was once there, her smile slowly dropping as realization set in. “Had…” She returned her hand to her lap as a small tear trickled down her cheek and onto her palm.

The final rays of light faded away as the moon’s glow replaced it, sitting in silence the familiar chirps and calls of the crickets and birds began to make themselves known as the nocturnal animals awoke from their slumber.
“Oh my, is that the time already”. She rubbed her eyes as if being awoken from a deep slumber.
“I guess I should be getting home”. She began collecting up the tupperware and placing them back inside her bag, carefully stacking them neatly inside. “Don’t worry though, I’ll be back again next week… like I always am”.
A small smile raised in the corners of her mouth until another realization struck her. The memory striking her like a bolt of lightning causing her joy to weaken.
“No…I’m sorry, not next week, I’ll still be in hospital next week”. She grasped her temple again. “They told me…” She paused looking up to the empty expanse above. “What did they tell me?”
Another cold breeze caused her whole body to shiver. “Brrr, it’s getting late, I should probably get going before I’m missed”. A much brighter smile grew as she went to collect the tupperware. “They probably wont let me out alone again if I keep staying out this la…”
She furrowed her brow and looked around her noticing the tubs already stacked neatly inside of her bag.
“When did I…” She shook her head. “Never mind, my memory’s not like it used to be, I’m a little scattered these days”. She chuckled softly.
Looking at her watch she realized the time and gasped.
“Oh my, it really is late, I’ll miss the last bus if I stay much longer”. She shifted herself off of the blanket, the dew topped grass soaked into her floral skirts.
“Oh dear”. She folded the blanket and placed it on top of the bag before uneasily getting to her feet and looked down at her mud-stained skirt. “I guess that’ll teach me for not paying attention”. She laughed softly as she brushed herself down.
“It was lovely to speak to you again, I’ll be back next week but I’ll be sure to come earlier”. She beamed a smile as she collected the bag and blanket tucking it under her arm.
She turned to leave but paused as another thought reappeared in her mind.
She laughed and rubbed her temple again. “I’m sorry, I almost forgot, I wont be here next week as I have to go for a hospital appointment…Nothing to worry about, they just want to check me over…I remember Alice saying something about it just being a cautionary check”. She shrugged and slipped the bag over her arm. “I’ll be back after and come see you again in two weeks”.
Her smile was weaker than before, more forced as if it hurt.
“I love you”.
The moonlight reflected off of the pooling tears that slowly trickled down her cheeks as a true smile reemerged.
“I’ll see you again soon”.

The brakes hissed as the bus slowed to a stop and the automatic doors slid open.
“Thank you”. The woman called as she stepped down onto the path clutching a small wooden box in her hands. She waited silently until the bus disappeared into the distance before stepping down the wooden steps towards the pond. It was empty of all life, deathly silent, oddly still, not even the chirping of crickets or birds could be heard amongst the once thriving wildlife that she remembered when she was young.
Standing before the edge of the pond she set down the small box and removed an old tattered blanket from her backpack. Lowering herself to her knees, she unfurled the blanket and spread it across the ground being careful to not tear the frayed fabric in the process. She opened up the bag and began unpacking multiple tupperwares and setting them down on the blanket before taking a seat and letting a long sorrowful sigh escape her lips.
“I’m sorry I took so long, things have been difficult recently…” She placed a hand on the box and pulled it closer.
“I brought sandwiches”. She grabbed one of the closest containers and opened it. “Pork, surprisingly”. A weak smile twitched in the corners of her mouth. “The butchers are open again, his daughter runs it now, she managed to sort a deal with local farmers to keep prices down”. Her eyes glazed slightly shining under the suns rays. “She’s a smart girl”.
She took a bite out of the sandwich and chewed it slowly.
“I also managed to pick some berries, they’ve really blown up this year”. She grabbed another container filled to the brim with dark berries. “I think I’ll make a pie later, there’s no way I’ll be able to eat them all myself”. She laughed and took another bite of her sandwich.

A few minutes passed by as she continued eating in silence, her eyes fixed on the reeds as they wavered in the breeze.
“I miss you”. She choked out suddenly as tears ran freely down her cheeks. “I really miss you”. She collected the small box and hugged it tightly to her chest. “I miss you both”. Her tears continued to fall as she clutched the box with her entire body, her head resting on the blanket as she wept.

An unnaturally strong breeze rushed across the pond towards her carrying the dark clouds of a coming storm, rapidly eclipsing all light from the sky. Slowly she raised her head again and through the blur of her tears observed the towering form of a white stag on the opposite bank. She blinked rapidly and rubbed her eyes, but as she regained focus, the beast was gone.
Quickly jumping to her feet, she unknowingly dropped the box, its contents scattering across the blanket. Her focus remained drawn to the other side of the bank as she scanned every inch of the distant woodland for the stag.
As the last glimpses of light faded from existence the sharp crack of lightning lit up the sky, breaking her focus and forcing her to notice her mistake.
“NO!” She gasped dropping to her knees as the first droplets of rain struck the waters surface.
“No, no, no, no, no”. Hurriedly she began scooping the remaining contents back into the box, fighting against vicious winds and hurtling rain that threatened to wash them away.
Tears began spilling freely as she realised her efforts were fruitless against the sheer powers of nature and the last remaining particles were either washed away or carried with the wind.
“I’m sorry”. She repeated as she clutched at the frayed edges of the blanket. “I’m so sorry”. Her fingertips dug deep into the soft earth as the blanket sunk under her weight.
“NO!” She exclaimed, ripping the blanket from the ground causing the box to be tossed skyward towards the pond.
“NO!” She screamed, her words drowned by another bolt of lightning striking the ground a few meters from the waters edge.
Clutching the frayed and muddied blanket to her chest she slowly got to her feet, her gaze locked to the silhouette in the distance, the rain continued to fall, her sodden clothes clung to her skin, the chill air having no affect as her lips separated but failed to produce words.
Two silhouettes stood in the distance, outlined by the haze of the falling rain. One stood tall and proud, his suit pressed and pristine while he waited with the brightest smile, he seemed to want for nothing. The other figure was delicate and slender, a flowing white veil trailing behind her as she approached, locking eyes with the man, as if they were all that existed.
“M…m…mum…Dad?” She dropped to her knees with a loud splash, the edges of the blanket now trailing in the mud.
The silhouettes of her parents took each others hands before leaning in to an embrace. Her mother glanced in her daughter’s direction and smiled, her father’s gaze following. When they spoke there were no words but in her mind their voices were as clear as day.
“We love you Alice”.
They turned away from the pond and began walking towards the distant trees as Alice knelt frozen in place. Another lightning strike hit the space where her parents stood causing Alice to turn briefly away from the blinding flash. When her gaze returned the giant white stag had replaced her father, and beside it stood a much smaller but equally beautiful white deer.