Tiny Stories And Concepts

Carp

Cold cave walls, slimy and blackened. Any plant life was alien and sick. The water looked black it was so deep, and spiraled into nothing. And I knew the water was crystal clear. The air was crisp, but didn't bite. I stared into the water, not knowing what I was waiting for. Something appeared far below. A tiny pale shape, moving slowing around and growing larger. In seconds it had grow to the size of a small child, a dull, milky grey-white. It broke the surface and took a breath, twisting around in the small space, taking in the sight of me. The fish scared me somehow, it had power and knowledge I could feel tingling across my skin. I hadn't noticed them coming up, but a few smaller fish now swam around it, white-gold koi's who should not have been able to survive those conditions. I knelt at the waters edge, both to be closer to the power and to offer respect. I couldn't hear a voice, but I felt it's request. Silently I dipped my foot in the water, it wasn't as cold as I expected. I slipped all the way in, just my head bobbing the surface. It swam next to me, and I reverently touched it's head, letting it's whole length slide across my palm. I wanted me to follow. Being level with the water I saw the rocks I had assumed were walls, was actually just barely touching the water, hanging over us, and it lead to a tunnel ahead, showing the pool was wider than I originally thought. It was headed for the gap, I took a breath and dived to follow.