Chasing Wings

Ashlie found her latest email full of words about death and loss. She read and reread it, shaking her head in dispair. Why, why did people dwell on sadness when it was suppose to be the season of merry and bright? Of love, hope and peace? Yes, she knew suicide rates were up at the holidays, that loved ones lost those they loved around and on Christmas day. But, she wanted to think of happier moments. Times were rough and often tough for others, but she wanted to feel light, not burdened down with sad thoughts or of somebody's demise. Life was too short for that, wasn't it?

Ashlie pushed away from the computer after shutting it off and undressed for bed. She was anxious to have her head hit the pillow for sleep, knowing she had a big day ahead of her. So having climbed beneath the warmth of the covers, she closed her eyes forgetting to shut off the lamp by the bed. But she dreamed, as her eyes closed to the night and the still of it just outside her window.

Ashlie sat up startled as she found herself upon what appeared to be a white horse. It rose up with see through wings, climbing up into the heavens and beyond, taking her above the wintry clouds and snow scenes down below. When it stopped, it snorted, bowing its head back in her direction, as if beconing for her to climb down. She stared beneath her feet which lay straddled across the horses back.

"No, I don't want to get down, there is nothing there! Please, go a little further. Find land to let me down on." she pleaded with the winged horse, pushing in her knees to try and move it onward. The winged horse nipped gently at her barefeet and whinied. She slid down its back carefully, to find her feet landed lightly on the softness of a pillow. Grabbing at its mane she held on, for fear it would slip away, not allowing her to return to her world below. But the delicate and beautiful, unspoiled creature, merely nodded as if it was pointing up ahead before it slowly disappeared in a mist before her.

"I must be dreaming, I have to be!" she called out to the still around her. She rubbed at her eyes hoping to wake up. She even tried pinching herself, only to find she felt nothing. Then she heard a voice beconing to her. She moved slowly towards the voice.

"Hello, is anybody there?" she called after it, feeling hopeful.

"Over here, where you see the lights, dear. Don't be afraid. Follow my voice." the female voice responded.

When Ashlie stepped out towards the voice, the mist disappeared as the horse had. She blinked in surprise as the lights shone bright and brilliant to her eyes. She covered her ears ffrom the sudden noise. People all around her were celebrating. Music, talking, even children crying out in glee. She saw the woman who had beconed her and moved towards her, stunned that it appeared to be that of a fortune teller in an open tent.

Ashlie moved up slowly and asked. "Was it you who called to me?"

The older woman waved her to sit down with a smile. A red curtain slid slowly shut behind and around them, as the woman smiled. "Only those with hopeful hearts can hear my call. You are one of them, am I not right?"

Ashlie shook her head in awe. She spotted the ball shaped globe in front of the woman and peered into it, hoping to see what the woman might see. "Why am I here? Where am I?" Ashlie asked slowly and deliberately.

"Might I see your hands, dear child?" the woman asked encouragingly, while reaching out her own to take Ashlie's now extended. "Ah ha...I see death troubles you. You prefer to hide your head in the sand, is that not right?"

Ashlie gulped. "I-I..." she stammered. Clearing her throat, Ashlie finished. "I just like to think of Christmas as a happy season, that's all. Not about sadness and people dying. Is that a crime?"

The older woman did not respond, but merely shook her head while pointing into the glass ball in front of her..."Look, see what it is I see?"

Ashlie stared hopefully into the ball, suddenly seeing winged creatures. Some white, some black. "What does it mean?" she asked puzzled.

The woman smiled, waving her hands across the ball. "They are chasing wings. See the people chasing after some that are white and some that are dark? Some wish for angels, while others prefer the darker side of things." she explained. Her voice softened as she noted Ashlie had shuttered, quite fearfully.

"Which am I?" Ashlie asked, with wide eyes.

"Definitely those of white, would be to your choosing." the woman replied knowingly with a smile.

Ashlie suddenly wakened then to a branch brushing against the glass. The wind had picked up outside, as snow blew in swirls around the ground outside her window. She cowered under the covers for warmth. Closing her eyes tightly, she tried to get the image out of her mind...she had to wonder...what did it all mean?

to be continued...