A Breath Away

• Naomi Rodriguez Ryan, Grade 9
• Short Story
• 2015

Fear. It consumes my thoughts. I don’t think about my fears, I think about fear itself.
When one ponders fear; they see darkness and misery. I, on the other hand, tend to
think of it as a light. No typical light though; a light so bright that it blinds the
average person and his or her emotions. A light so luring that it has taken countless
lives with just a glance into its foreboding, fiery eyes. As much as this fear destroys
us; it builds us and creates us.
As I stand, feet sinking into the rough, wet sand; fear shines down through the grey
clouds, as if an almighty god is opening up the gates between reality and dreams. The
glowing light smothers my almost bare body filling me up, not with warmth, but a
chill that trickles through my veins like a slow moving stream. I step into the icy
water, immediately shocked by its refreshing cold touch. Fear begins to wrap its long,
bright, shining, twisted fingers around my ankles. My breath shortens until only
small wisps of air leave my lips to meet the frosty morning, creating clouds of vapour
that disappear almost as they appear. I look along the shore where little waves are
tumbling onto the beach, trying to reach further onto the dry sand but not having the
power or might to make the journey. While I stand, shivering with anticipation, the
ocean’s impatient arms reach for me and draw me in like a mother.
The sunlight dances on the water, playing tricks on my eyes. I wade further out into
the depths leaving my memories and past behind me. It was time. No turning back
now. No need to turn back now. This is what I want. Away from the harsh reality of
Fear. Steps away from peace. Breaths away from freedom.
Slowly, I let my body drift up so that I face the overcast skies.
Fear cannot reach me here.
Fear watches, watches with its menacing glare as it comes to the realisation.
I have outsmarted Fear. The great, almighty Fear everyone cowers to, beaten by me.
Plain old me.
These are my thoughts as I let the ocean take me further into its murky blue
kingdom. My curiosity takes over as I open my eyes, ignoring the stinging, salty
sensation, to see the new world around me. Gorgeous colours are thrown over the
sandy, ocean floor like paint to a canvas. Sea creatures continue their actions,
oblivious or ignorant to the intruder who is watching their every move. My head
begins to pound and my lungs ache as they scream for oxygen to relieve them from
this agony. Using my little remaining strength, I push myself to the surface.
I did it. I overcame Fear; Fear of water.
As Jim Morrison once said, “Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear
has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free.”