The Door That Waited in the Sea – Part 1: The Path Beyond the Water

More about The Door That Waited in the Sea – Part 1: The Path Beyond the Water

The bell rang although there was no wind. Elara lowered the sail. “Did either of you touch that?” Pip shook his head. Nox lifted the lantern and stared across the water. “Do bells normally stand in the middle of the sea?” “They don’t.” For three days the Wanderer had crossed empty water without gulls, cliffs or another ship. Even the waves had become strangely gentle, as if the sea itself were waiting. Then, shortly before sunset, the door had appeared. It stood on a tiny island of stone, without walls or a house behind it. Yet the wooden door was open, and beyond it waited an autumn forest glowing in golden sunlight. A narrow path wound between enormous trees covered in red and orange leaves. Elara looked behind the door. There was only sea. Through it: forest. “That,” Pip said, “is inconvenient.” Nox tilted his head. “I was going to say beautiful.” “Those are not mutually exclusive.” The bell rang again. The Wanderer bumped gently against the stone. Elara tied the rope to an iron ring and stepped ashore. Nox followed with his lantern. Pip remained aboard. “Someone should guard the ship.” “From what?” Pip looked across the empty sea. “Unexpected visitors.” “You’re afraid of the door.” “I am sensibly suspicious of architecture without buildings.” Elara smiled. “Stay here, then.” Pip immediately climbed ashore. Three footprints were carved into the stone before the threshold. One looked human. One was small and round. The third had three long toes. Nox placed his foot beside it. Perfect match. His grin disappeared. “I have never been here.” Elara checked the human print. It matched her boot. Pip stared at the third. “I dislike where this is going.” An orange leaf floated through the doorway and landed at Elara’s feet. Four words were written upon it: YOU ARE LATE AGAIN. “Again?” Pip whispered. Nox raised the lantern. “Perhaps we came before and forgot.” Nobody laughed. Elara looked back at the Wanderer. The little boat seemed suddenly very far away although it was only a few steps behind them. “Ten minutes. We stay together and touch nothing.” They crossed the threshold. The smell of salt vanished. Warm earth replaced stone beneath their feet, and birds sang among the branches. Elara turned. The doorway remained behind them, with the Wanderer visible through it. “Good,” Pip said. “Door remains door.” They followed the path until they reached a signpost. Three arrows pointed in different directions although there was only one path: TO THE PLACE YOU LEFT. TO THE PLACE YOU MISSED. TO THE PLACE STILL WAITING. “We stay on the path,” Elara said. Soon they found a blue coat hanging from a branch. Pip stopped. It was identical to his own, including the small tear near the pocket. Beneath another tree stood a lantern identical to Nox’s. Farther ahead, leaning against a trunk, was Elara’s sword. She touched the sword still hanging at her belt. “We touch nothing,” she repeated.