“You must learn to control your dreams, or your dreams will forever control you”

– Wayne Gerard Trotman

How long had it been since he had seen these shores?

A memory long forgotten, buried deep within his subconscious. Even now, he wondered, was the event of that day a long-forgotten memory or a long-forgotten dream.

The feeling of that day came and went, like the ocean fog before the morning sun. Sometimes, it felt that if he extended his finger just a few millimeters further, he could grab hold of it again, only for it to fade away into the morning light. Yet, though the feeling of that memories long faded away, the images of it still lingered, somewhere deep in his mind. An invisible memory, an uncatchable dream.

When he closed his eyes in the darkest of night, he could still remember that place. He remembered standing upon its shores, the water gently rolling against his feet. He remembered the rays of the setting sun shimmering against the surface of water, creating a path of light. He remembered the wooded forest that surrounded him, the trees whose trunk and leaves hid all beyond it from his sight. Even the simple blade of grass swaying in the wind, became a part of his memory. It was as if everything he saw became a marker within the recess of his mind, to guide him back to where he needed to be.

He remembered taking that first step forward, beyond the water’s edge. He wanted to sink beneath the waves, to see under-the-surface, the world that he was certain exist but was simultaneously hidden to him. To his surprise, the water denied his request. Despite how far he travelled from shore, his body never left the surface. He could see the water continued to shimmer beneath his feet; from time to time distorting his reflection, but he could never see what lay beyond.

Eventually, his path took him far beyond the shore. Standing in the lake, he could no longer see the place that he once stood nor the trees that once obstructed his views. In this moment, as he looked around, the world consisted of only him and the slowly fading light. Growing slightly disinterested, he began to turn around, walking back to the place from where he came. However, before he could take that first step, a gentle voice called out to him from behind.

“Since you took the trouble to come out here, you should spend more time to enjoy the view”, the voice said.

Without turning around, he replied, “there’s nothing out here”.

“Only because you’ve chosen not to see it.” The voice said. “The world is filled with amazing sights; wonders everywhere you look”

“Wonders and beauties are simply in the eyes of the beholder”, he replied curtly.

“Perhaps that’s true. To someone that has it all, the world must look terribly dull.”

“I don’t deny that.”

“Perhaps I can change your mind?”, the voice asked.

“I highly doubt that”, he answered.

Just as soon as he provided his reply he began to walk away.

“It’s a shame,” the voice said, calling out to him once again. “Since you’re here anyway, would you mind keeping me company for just awhile longer? It won’t take much time. Afterall, a gentleman must always escort a lady.”

Giving a little sigh, he acquiesced. Then, as if he had become a different person, he quickly straightens his back, his left hand tucked to his side as he turned around, giving a little bow while extending his right hand forward.

From beyond the remaining light of the setting sun, a small hand, covered in a white glove, rested on his open hand. As he held the hand in his, he raised his head and saw a girl standing in front of him. She was taller than he expected, standing only slightly shorter than him. She was wearing a white dress that extended from her neck to the bottom of her feet, patterned laces decorated its edges. Her face was hidden by a veil that extend from her hat. On her other hand, she was holding an open parasol, resting it against her shoulder.

“Shall we go?”, she asked.

“Please lead the way”, he answered.

Just as the last light of the setting sun faded beneath the surface of the water, he could make out a faint smile beneath the veil before everything was submerged in darkness.

Though he could no longer see, he was confident that the girl was still there, her hand held firmly in his. She guided him forward at a leisurely pace and together they continued to walk for how long he no longer knew. He trusted that she knew the way and he trusted that if she does not, then he can still become their guide, taking them both where they needed to go. This was who he is, and he was confident that no matter what happens, he could do what he needed to do.

Eventually, they stopped.

“We’re here,” she said.

“So it would seems,” he replied.

As he let go of her hand, the white glove that she wore in the beginning began to sparkle. From out the darkness he could see her body once again. The white dress that she wore at the start was now replaced a black gown, decorated with small shining lights. Together with her, the world around him began to shine, small lights started to appear one after another. Eventually, the world around him resembled a starlit night.

She once again took his hand in her and guided him forward, up the marble stairs that appeared in front of them to a large white building with an ornately decorated wooden door.

“Where are we?” he asked her.

“Where else?” She answered with a smile, her face no longer obscured by a veil. “This is a ball. A Ball at World’s End.”