Artwork and Layout Design by: Alyson Bucharest - @alysondoes Mastered by Angel Hair Audio PJS - Praxis “Can you hear it now?” she asked, her eyes reflecting the undulating ocean waves. I cupped my hands behind my ears to aid their search for her elusive sound. “I hear nothing. I’m trying my best, I swear.” We sat cross-legged on the highest rock we could find overlooking the tireless sea. This was the third time the mysterious woman had invited me to this place. Together we’d spent countless hours absorbing the whispers of the tides, searching for meaning in the mists as water leapt into proud standing stones along the shore. I’d never even asked her name. Somehow, that all seemed unimportant to what we had together, not that I could describe it in words. We just both knew without need for explanation. I think that’s why I continued to return. The woman smiled as she often did, yet managed to look anything but happy. She tucked locks of hair behind her ears, the color of dust and faint shadows. Her vibrant dress fluttered in the salty air. Tucking my legs under me, I rocked back and forth. To be truthful, I hadn’t any idea what drew me to her in the first place. Something about the way she’d offered her slender hand, inviting but not obligatory. The way her hips swayed with the ocean undercurrent as she walked. Her hazel eyes, always searching. The woman’s smile grew. “You’ll hear it one day,” she said. “I know you will. I can’t be the only one. Maybe if I described the sound to you.” “You’ve tried,” I told her. “I only hear the wind and the waves. I hear the gulls calling above. I hear the cars passing by, the crickets and toads. I hear all that there is to hear.” She sighed, and then remained silent for a long moment. “Do you trust me?” she asked. I opened my mouth to answer but held myself back. We’d hardly spoken a word between us, her and I. I didn’t even know her name. But I was about to tell her with confidence that yes, I trusted her. Again, she smirked without joy. “I want you to follow me.” Before I could reply, she stood and offered her wanting hand. I clasped her fingers in mind and joined her on a stroll through stone and sand. We traversed the landscape along the beach, further from town than I’d ever been. The sun faded further into the pastel sky. Like a dream, time ceased to exist. By final breath of sunset, we’d reached a cavern of rock cut into the cliff side. The woman’s dress reflected the oranges and pinks of the sun peeking over the horizon. Her form glowed within the vastness of the dark cave. I stopped. “Where are you taking me?” Her eyes flickered with a purposeful blink. “Do you trust me?” she asked me again. I thought hard about it this time. The answer had seemed so clear, watching the beauty of the sea from above. Yet here in the mouth of darkness, my mind raced for reasons to answer no. Holding out her hand, she smiled like an overcast sky. I took a deep breath and looked into her eyes, now more green than hazel. They were filled with a sense of longing and a hint of sadness. I realized that I did trust her, despite not knowing anything about her. Without further hesitation, I took her hand and followed her into the cave. As we walked deeper, the darkness enveloped us. I couldn't see much beyond the faint light coming from the entrance. I could hear the echo of our footsteps and water dripping from the cave ceiling. The air grew colder and damper. I could feel a chill running down my spine. We walked for what felt like hours. I was about to ask her where we were going again and why, but she suddenly stopped. She let go of my hand and walked a few steps forward. I could see a faint light coming from further inside. I followed her, and as we approached, the light grew brighter and brighter. We finally reached the end of the cave. It opened up into a large chamber, and the light was coming from a small pond in the center. The water was crystal clear and the walls of the chamber were adorned with intricate carvings and paintings. I couldn't believe my eyes. The woman turned to me and smiled. "This is where you'll hear the sound," she said. "It's the sound of the ocean. The real sound of the ocean. The water in this pond is connected to the sea and it brings the sound with it." I listened carefully and sure enough, I could hear the new sound of the ocean. It was faint, but it was there. I was amazed. The longer I listened, the more I realized that it resembled music, more than nature. It fell into perfect rhythm with the beating of my heart. "How did you know about this place?" I asked her. She looked at me like falling rain. "This place has been a part of my life for a long time. I come here to listen to the sound of the ocean and find peace. But now it's time for me to move on." I didn't understand what she meant. "What do you mean, move on?" She watched me carefully. "I have to leave this place. I can't stay here forever. Nobody can. But I wanted to share this place with you before I go. I wanted to show you that there's more to life than what we can see and hear. More than just the surface. Sometimes, you must follow as you feel, even if you can’t explain it. Even if it means taking risks. It’s the only way to find true beauty." I felt a lump in my throat. I didn't want her to go. I didn't want to lose her. But I knew that she had to do what was best for her. "I'll never forget this place," I said. "I'll never forget you." She hugged me tightly, her body as cold as ocean water. "I'll always remember you too," she said. "I remember all things. I couldn’t forget you if I tried. But now, it's time for us to go our separate ways." With that, she let go of me and walked away. I watched her as she disappeared into the darkness, her movement like the current, disappearing like white foam in the sand. I knew that I would never see her again, but I would always carry the memory of her and this place in my heart. I spent some more time in the cave, listening to the sound of the ocean and admiring the beauty of the carvings and paintings. I knew that I would come back here one day, to remember the woman who had shown me this place and to remember the sound of the ocean that she had helped me hear. Dipping my hand into the surface of the illuminated pond, I could feel her slender hand. I saw her fragile smile within the ripples in the water. The radiance of light beneath grew orange and pink like her dress. I still couldn’t explain why I had trusted her, but there was no need for explanation. I just knew. The sound of the ocean washed over me in a wave of tranquility. It was a symphony of whispers, murmurs, and hushed secrets. The water in the pond was alive with the energy of the sea, and I could hear every movement, every ebb and flow. I felt connected to the ocean in a way I never had before. I called out to the woman, hoping that she hadn’t gone too far, when the cold of her hand suddenly rested on my shoulder. I turned to the woman, and she smiled at me, her eyes filled with pride and satisfaction. I realized that she had brought me here to show me something special, something that I had been searching for all along. I thanked her, and we stood there in silence, listening to the sound of the ocean. GEO - SP52