Firelight-00

Katerina clutched the heavy lantern, holding it high to illuminate the hollow log she had fallen into. Her knees ached from the tumble, and her skin glowed red from the rushing blood beneath the surface. She crawled on all-fours forward a little, before sitting up. The wind was cool and smelt of fruit, sweet and wet. She shambled to her feet and pressed on, her dress torn in places and dirty.  The hollow seemed to continue for a long time, and a distant sound began to come clearer. It sounded like piano music, and a sweet twittering as accompaniment. Katerina sat against the log, setting down the lantern and listening to the music. She clos

Watery harp strings played through the air, bringing my conscience into the world. I opened my eyes, and was met by a bleary world which I had long forgotten. My body ached, and I felt incapable of moving, and so I lay there, hearing the beautiful harp play it's melodious tune.  As the last note faded I found my lips parted, of my own volition it seemed, and spoken the words from my own mouth, 'What beautiful playing. Please, don't stop.' As if obeying, the harp began again to play, the notes almost literally touching me, spreading a sensation of warmth from my heart to the rest of my body, I felt the surge of pleasure wash through me like