through the salt portal

It started when he found a letter hanging in the tree, swinging from a branch in front of his eyes at a height where it wanted to be discovered. The only words written inside were to meet her at sundown.

He returned when the sky faded to pink and the sun was nearly gone, and found her standing alone at the forest’s edge.

“You’re late,” was all she said, placing salt into his hand. “Follow me.” 

I’d follow you anywhere, he thought as the salt dissolved on his tongue.

Together, they ran hand in hand down to the water’s edge. She let go and jumped into the sea, completely consumed. He followed, the waves softening upon his arrival, carrying him out to where his feet no longer touched the ocean floor. 

He turned back to see their footprints disappearing in the sand and took one last breath before going under, not knowing when he would need to breathe again. She swam next to him and touched his gills as he admired her tail. 

She led the way through the salt portal, chasing the light to where the sun goes at night. And he followed, entering a place were he was free, forgetting everything he knew from when he was mortal.