The recent brutal heat is its own Demon. It affects almost everyone in some way. Most people hide from it in tinted glass, air conditioned offices and stores. I, also try to hide from the heat minions.
I run to the nearest cave. There is comfort in the shadows. Delicate voices call to me as I step deeper into the darkness. Tiny fairies surround me with their gold wings fluttering up a light breeze. Dozens of them appear, each grabbing a finger or a piece of my dress to pull me further into their cave… away from danger.
I hear echos of high pitched, sweet little voices. It’s the fairies chatting with each other and I hear my name. They are concerned that my blood may boil in the heat. 2 and 3 golden imps at a time carry fresh fruit to side; peaches, ripe apples and red grapes for juice. They dampen my forehead with dew collected from the dawn and flap their wings to cool me. I feel peace and care surrounding me. I smile. The fairies bow their heads to me… they are happy to help.
I rest quietly for a while in the shadows of their cave. I can smell the dampness in the air and hear the trickling water of an underground stream. I am comforted. One bite of an apple and I feel renewed. With a stretch and a sigh I try to stand but the fairies insist otherwise. They gather in mass and force me to sit back and stay for a while. The High Priestess of the fairies tells me I am safe and hidden from danger. So I linger and eat the fruit I was generously given.
Then something familiar strikes me. Something intangible, a sound, a smell, a heartbeat… I know my time is short. Finally the fairies help me to my feet and lead me towards the very light I was hiding from. Still, they flutter in my face and obstruct my view. I brush them away and the bright light forces my eyes shut. I stop and sit down to let my eyes adjust. I open them slowly and find myself on the floor at the bottom of my stairs.
I long to return to the cave.
