it was over in just a flash. his hopes for what he had been trying to do, all gone in an instant. i had naturally shut my eyes from the loud noise and the bright light, but those had faded. i opened my eyes. there was nothing left.
i tried to rub my eyes, but i couldn't find them. there was nothing anywhere, at any time.
i saw a little white light in the distance. i took a few steps towards it, and it was there. a floating jellyfish swimming in the dark. its bell pulsed every time it began to gently sink, sending it upwards ever so slowly, pulling its long, trailing tentacles with it. it was pure white, almost blindingly so. “TOUCH ME,” it said, its sharp yet soft voice echoing in my mind. “TOUCH ME AND RETURN. TOUCH ME AND GET A SECOND CHANCE.” its voice pierced my soul, but at the same time, it comforted me. i reached out and touched it.
my head was filled with voices. they were all my voice. “where am i?” “what happened?” “how much time has passed?” many questions were running circles in my mind. i finally opened my eyes. i was lying on the floor. hard floor. it was like a rock. the sky was shimmering and waving around.
i continued to lie there for just a little longer. i was far too dizzy to stand up, or even think about standing up. but eventually, i took a deep breath and slowly forced myself up, only to realize… i was underwater.
i looked down. my skin was teal, and i had fins oh my body, and a tail in the back, and… at this point, i began panicking.
“what happened? where's willow?” i said to myself. “willow? willow?! WILLOW!!”
no answer. i figured if i was a fishgirl - transformed just like him - i was stuck down here. it's not like i could just swim up and breathe air, after all. so it wouldn't hurt to make myself comfortable in my new home. i took a few deep breaths to calm myself down, and properly looked around for the first time. there were a few buildings; it was a cozy little village.
“alright alice… time to look around,” i thought to myself.