Paradise

The thick moss carpet swallowed the sound of his approach, masking each step until he was close enough for her to catch the scent of him - a blend of briny ocean air and the damp breath of the jungle. From the shadowed tangle of foliage, the stallion emerged, his silver coat glinting where the soft light caught it. His mane, clung to the strong curve of his neck before spilling across his broad chest. The gentle glow in his golden eyes dissolved the fear that had gripped her moments before. She drew in a steadying breath and murmured, “I didn’t mean to trespass.”

With calm authority, he spoke of this place he called Paradise and enquired about how she had come to be here. She lifted her bright gaze to him. “I just happened upon this corner of Atlantis. I’ve been wandering alone for quite some time,” she replied, clearing her throat. Her journey had been long—searching island after island in hopes of finding them.

“I’ve been looking for my parents for months,” she confessed, her voice quieter now, “but I haven’t found a single trace.” She turned her eyes away, unwilling to reveal more of her private burdens to someone she had only just met.

Raising her gaze to the sky, she let it travel beyond the jungle canopy to where stars pricked the velvet darkness. A faint movement of her ears stirred the tangled caramel strands of her hair. Slowly, her attention returned to the stallion. “Night is so different here,” she murmured. “By day, the jungle is alive with noise - but now, it’s utterly still.”