The Age of Knowing (Surreal Circus Flash Fiction Contest)

She had always known that she belonged to Winter.  The frozen landscape, numbingly beautiful, sang to her in the same way that songbirds serenaded those who belonged to Springtime.  She was an Ice Princess, birthed by years of Knowing, and she would have it no other way.  She could see herself belonging nowhere else but among the polar bears and the snow birds.  They were her Kingdom and upon each other they depended.

She would sit unmoved, staring out at the icy landscape.  The first time she saw a chunk of ice break and fall into the sea, she was merely curious as to why such an odd thing would happen.

The second time it happened, it was as if a huge hole had opened up, ready to claim anyone who ventured near.  It was then that she saw her.  A curious, yet beautiful creature crawled from the sea and planted herself on the ice.  The top part appeared to be a woman.  The bottom half appeared to be a large fish tail.  She had long brown hair and she sat upon the rock combing it with a shell, tilting her face toward the sun…smiling.  She was filled with color and light and it was hard not to stare at the beautiful creature.  At one point the fish lady stopped and smiled in her direction.  She put a finger to her lips as if to say “Shhh…”.  Then she winked and dove back into the sea.

Ever since that day, she found herself waiting and watching for the fish lady to appear again.  She decided to give her a name…Arianna.  It was musical, much like the creature who bore her name.  She watched as more ice began to fall into the sea.  The day she felt water trickle down her cheek, she knew her icy mascara, layered over years of Knowing, was turning back into tears.  She was frightened, for she knew not what was causing this change.  Her icy layers were falling away slowly, leaving her exposed to the elements.  The sun was harsh upon her.

One day, while sitting, Arianna appeared again.  She climbed upon a rock and dove into the ever widening expanse of water.  She swam and dove and jumped high, splashing onto the rocks.  Her laughter pealed through the air like a song.

As she watched, a strange longing overcame her.  She began to wonder what it would be like to splash and jump and soak up the sun without fear of losing herself.  As if reading her mind, Arianna beckoned to her.  Afraid, she remained unmoved. 

Whispering in a voice that sounded like music from a harp, she said,  “Don’t you know?  You were once like me.  Deep inside, you still are.”  And with that, Arianna disappeared back into the sea.

She let the words resonate deep inside.  “You were once like me.  Deep inside, you still are.”

She ran her hands over her skin…skin that had now shed the icy layers.  Warmth had come over her like a glove and the sensation was not unpleasant…though it was still frightening.  Her years of Knowing had warned her against such as this.

All around she saw less of the snow birds and polar bears.  She felt alone and wondered at their fate now that Warmth had arrived.

She dipped her toes into the water.  It was still cold and she closed her eyes, remembering how beautiful the icy landscape had been.  It was then she felt a strange tingling rising up through her legs into her body.  She panicked and tried to climb back up the rock, but she fell, suddenly unable to stand.  Looking down, she saw her feet and legs had been replaced by a beautiful tail…just like Arianna’s.  Fear washed over her.  The feeling was unfamiliar.  She longed for Winter’s protective barrier.

It was then she heard singing.  Arianna splashed onto the rock beside her, laughing in delight.  “See?  I told you that you were just like me.”

“But how?  Why now?” she asked.

“Because this is the first time since your birth by Knowing that you have been ready to feel…to truly live.  Come with me and see what you have been missing.”  And with that, Arianna dove back into the sea.

She moved toward the water after her and let herself fall into the Unfamiliar.  Music surrounded her and she realized it was the sound of her own laughter.  She moved through the water, frolicking and jumping, delighting in her newfound sense of freedom.

Days passed and no longer did she desire Winter or the beauty of the frozen landscape.  No longer did she miss the polar bears and snow birds.  In her mind, she realized that Change had come to the world she had known.  Nothing was the same.

What she failed to realize was that Knowing was birthing a new plan…a plan she would not see for years to come….a plan that would one day steal her laughter.