Lanterns to heaven

The sun had already set by the time I reached the beach. There was a mischievous breeze that flowed overhead, quietly rustling my hair. The moon cast its brilliant reflection onto the water but each time the water moved it shattered the moon into a million pieces. I drew a deep breath as I eyed the crowd who had now settled down with their lanterns ready to be lighted. Everyone was waiting for the moment, that moment which occurred only once in twenty- five years. I stood on my toes and raised my chin up high, trying to catch a glimpse of the mist.

You see, on the far side of the shore, there was a mysterious mist that swallowed up anyone who dared to enter its borders. It had already taken many innocent fishermen and explorers who wanted to take a look at this amazing but dangerous phenomenon. So, it was called the Bermuda Triangle of India. One day, on the eve of December, about a 100 years ago, natives claimed that mist opened up like a giant curtain teasing anyone who was curious about her secrets. They said there was a blinding light hotter than a thousand suns and brighter than the brightest light. But this event only lasted for a second, for after that the mist closed its curtains and mysteries forever, or so it seemed. Another 25 years later this occurred again. So the next 25th year there were thousands of people who came to light lanterns to illuminate the night sky. So, here I was, a 12 year kid trying to witness this majestic phenomenon and trying to uncover the secrets of what lied past its inert self. "It is parting, the mist," someone cried out and everyone lit their lanterns and threw into the sky.

 

The mist was parting slowly like a tortoise taking its own time to open itself. So instead, I raised my head up and looked at millions of shining lights, like stars, moving upwards and upwards carrying hopes and dreams to heaven. They were the lights of hearts sent to the gods to express their gratitude, my mother used to say. Used to, now she was dead. In heaven I suppose' I thought as I sent my lantern up flying in the sky but it was also carrying a message. A special one, to my mother. I looked at the mist still only halfway through. I glanced up to catch a glimpse of my lantern. It had a letter dangling from it because of which I could find it easily. I raised my eyebrows, confused. My lantern was not travelling upwards but towards the far shore of the beach away from the waters. I desperately wanted the letter to be delivered so I ran after it but it was restless. It kept flying away every time I got near and eventually stopped near the entrance as far as it could get from the mist. I grabbed my knees, panting for breath. The lantern seemed as if it were taunting me, daring me to catch it. 'Challenge accepted," I muttered under my breath. But first I turned back to the waters, toward the mist, almost through.

"Now, let's get this over shall we," I said as I lunged forward and grabbed the lantern hugging it tightly to my chest. I checked the letter. But it wasn't it. It was not my letter. The address was the same but it wasn't my handwriting. It was my mother's. I couldn't be sure, there might be someone else like me. With trembling hands, I opened the letter it read something like this,

"Riya darling, I am fine here. Stay away from the mist, it's dangerous. I led you away this time but this won't be the case always. I am not allowed to this.

Love, Mom."

I knew that wasn't real. I thought that it was a prank but my heart lead me away from the logical explanations. I didn't even have time to think about that when I heard a series of shouts and screams from the waters. I looked towards the mist. It had opened up, fully, but there was no light. There were instead gigantic waves as violent as the lion and as destructive as evil. It swallowed up everyone and everything that came in its path. I watched, speechless as the innocent lives were destroyed by the ruthless waves. It swallowed the lights too, as I watched the beautiful sky fade into one of death and destruction. Hundreds of lives were gone but I was spared. I then knew suddenly where the letter had come from.