I had a dream last night.

I was in a strange place, perhaps an Age, perhaps home. The moonlight was on the hills, as I ran barefoot across the grass. A cool breeze whispered all around, from no direction in particular. There was an orchard of trees in the distance. As I ran towards them, the leaves rustled louder.

Louder and louder, until it was almost deafening. There was no fear in my heart, only a sense of freedom like I had never felt.

I entered the orchard, and walked among the trees. As I passed each one, I examined the back of their trunks. What I was looking for or why it was important, I had no clue.

Suddenly, the wind whipped up, and dark clouds obscured the sky, and yet I was unafraid. The thunder began, and yet I was unafraid. The rain fell, soaking me to the bone, and I lay down in the orchard, feeling the raindrops fall on my face. I smiled.

I felt no fear as the rain turned to flood waters. The water rose and I along with it as I floated serenely on top, made buoyant by the peace in my heart alone.

I floated on the water as it continued to rain, hiding any trace of land. Covering the world in deep ocean.

I awoke in my cot, in my quarters next to the lake. The quiet lapping sound my gentle companion.

Yet I felt very alone.