Writing Prompt

Unseen light dances on the stone walls, creating the illusion of being under water. But I can breathe. I inhale deeply, lying on my side, knees tucked nearly to my chin. My cheek rests upon a pillow of cool sand. It’s peaceful here. There is something else…a sound. I squeeze my eyes closed to listen better. A single violin is carving out the somber notes to Jolly Sailor Bold. 

It’s beautiful in the same way sharks are from afar. The shrill shanty moves closer and I push myself up, suddenly growing cold. Ahead, the mouth of a tunnel gapes at me, darkness filling its gullet. 

The song continues and I can hear the lyrics in my head, sharp and piercing. 

Conversing with a young lass who seemed to be in pain… 

 I call into the void, “Hello?” My voice echoes loudly in my cavern. Hello? Hello? Hello? The sound is in my ears and above me and below me. 

A bow scratches violently at strings and clatters against stone. I don’t see anyone exit the darkness just as I don’t notice someone behind me. 

But then there is hot breath against my ear, “Don’t turn around.”