treading_the_abyss Sonya Once upon a time there was a lonely soldier who lived across the sea. It was the cold month of December when ironically most people were gearing up for the "warm" holiday season. Still, he and his fellow soldiers were far away in a distant, unfamiliar land and unable to unite with their families. He found himself treading water in a blue abyss. It was here that he found others who also treaded the water, and often crashed into each other. This place was not always forgiving as many people appeared and faded away into the waves. One day he decided to try and reach out to the others he often saw treading by but never spoke to. It was at that point when a scarred dreamer grasped his outstretched hand. She was very frightened at first, but couldn't ignore what she saw. From then on they had treaded the waters together, sometimes letting go of each other for awhile but always remaining within reach. The days stretched into weeks and then into monthes. They had seen the waves of emotion evolve from joy to sadness to anguish and then back to joy again. They had quelled some degree of their loneliness. One night the girl found herself lying alone in her bed, for the soldier was no longer near. She wept furiously and tried to calm the anguish in her heart. His absence feeded on her optimism and hopes. She reminded herself to be strong for his sake. She awoke the next morning and wondered what she was doing in such a strange place without him by her side. She was no longer in the abyss, but outside of it. She found herself in a realm she once knew how to navigate with ease. She was in solitude...and she was caught off guard. The soldier quickly realized that something dear to him was missing. Frantically he searched but she did not appear. He wept silent tears and continued to tread the abyss. A few days passed when suddenly he felt something on his shoulder. It was her petite hand reaching in from far away. He touched it gently, but from the outside the girl was only able to feel a small warmth. She knew it was him. Though it caused her a painful ache, she held her hand there, hoping soon she could cross into the abyss and be with him again... 020830 ... amy (this sounds really familiar) 020830 what's it to you? who go blather from