I was caught in the hurricane. The trees around me were bent in half, pushed down by the giant hand of wind. the lights of a car blinded me as it flew past my head. The air was oppressive, whipping and sharp. I shut my eyes and took a step forward.
I felt myself claimed by water, rough and enveloping. It was dark and thick as motor oil. It clutched at my clothes, tearing them downward. I kicked out, fighting the water, trying to keep my head above the surface. Waves slashed at my face. My mouth opened in a silent scream and black water filled it. My body convulsed as I coughed, rapidly losing energy. My lungs were on fire and I kicked myself up to the surface once more. My hand reached out to the yellow and green sky.
"Help me."
A hand snatched me up, yanking me out of the water. I was pulled from the thick darkness and onto a rocky crag. The wind still whipped, the black and green water still crashed all around me, hungry for what had been stolen from it. I collapsed onto the ground, my skin pale from cold. I instantly bruised from where I landed, pieces of rock slicing at my old scars. I shook, not daring to look up at the one who had rescued me. I could do no more than watch the hurricane all around me. The wind striking my face the waves attacking the shore, the water in my body slicing me up inside. I shook as I coughed up water, my eyes widening and breath escaping as I saw the blood.
The hand touched my back as he knelt down next to me, his free one wiping the water, blood, and mucus off my face. He looked at me, love in his eyes.
"I am with you no matter where you go. Be still and listen. You are my child. You are the one for me, and I love you."
The fear and panic did not disappear. The couching, hacking, and pain did not magically and immediately end. But slowly, my eyes focused only on him in the midst. Peace creeped in quietly, and the pain began to ebb. My eyes fell at times, unable to meet his gaze. Quietly, lovingly, he redirected my attention, repeating his promises over and over.
"I will always be with you, no matter where you go. Be still and listen. You are my child. You are the one for me, and I love you."
