everything

Kit read in Salon about a sure-fire cure for concentration, for relaxing from far too much stress. She vowed to take ten minutes for herself, to keep the waterfalls from rushing through her head, taking everything with them. This was the best way to help Anna, she thought. To be strong enough to resist the forces that threatened to take everything from their lives.

She took a candlelight bath, starting with a generous handful of peach essence, then half a carton of epsom salts. After springking the salts around the tub, she aimed the shower head into a large helping of soap and bath beads. It only took her a moment more to plunge the shower head down under the water so there was no hint of a waterfall. The water continued to foam until the tub was half-full with the hottest water she could take. Kit sighed deeply. Lit short white votice candles at each corner of the bath. Put the towels, champagne, and extra matches where she could reach them without dripping. Turned the bathroom light out. Got in slowly. Her body shone in the candlelight, water merging and emerging over her still shapely thighs, her long legs. She moved her arms slowly in the thick salt water, trying to relax.

But the water still foamed around her like the aftermath of a waterfall. Her shoulders tensed into cramps in the warm water. She shook out her hair and gave up. Kit sat up quickly in the bath and turned the shower on full blast--cold. For when she lay there, Kit suddenly knew what Anna's body had felt like as she lay on the cool wet riverbank--as her blood left her breasts, her arms, her legs and softly swirled clockwise to the waiting river.

the water / falls / in torrents / as if it were the only / force that mattered / sweeping / everything / from its path

the word is / the sound / of water / dripping from/ ancient symbols / tiny particles / of merging / realities

Follow us all: Amy/Anna, Sophie/Yuki, Kit/Richard, minor characters or sift through water leavings and river journeys.