What are you up to?
The beach is empty.
The sea is waving me in.
She stands on the stones, takes off her shoes, empties her pockets and slips off her trousers. She detaches the insulin pump and leaves it in a small carrier bag next to the rock.
A seagull flies over her. She breathes in, lets go of expectations and wades out. No one is around. It is risky. It is early morning. The beach is far away from the city and little known.
Where exactly are you heading?
Have you thought about the tide changes?
What if a thief steals the bag containing your life support kit?
Don’t you realise the saltwater will make your eyes sore?
She lets go. Of thoughts. Of expectations. The frothy water makes her toes tingle. Energy surges upwards through her legs and torso. Immersed in saltwater, tiny fins form down the length of her long back. She can twist and swim sideways. She flips backwards and swims underwater for a while. She sees rocks and shells sparkle on the sandy bottom. Seaweed tickles her face. She absorbs the essence of samphire and mussels.
Light years later, back at the surface, the sky drifts above. She blinks upwards and dives back down into the coolness, washing away the clouds. Sun glints through the crystal roof of the aquamarine palace.
Where on earth do you think you are going?
Not going anywhere on earth.
In the sea I am weightless, timeless and free.
Staying here to ride the waves.