Carrying Crystals.

He was walking in the woods. Heavy boots. On a cold winter evening. The trees were covered with ice. A blue layer. Carrying crystals. Still enough light to see the shining impact. His eyes noticed the beauty of nature. He smiled. He continued. Eyes on the path. His path. An inner joy warmed his heart. Thoughts running through his mind. Emotions travelling around his heart. The smile returned. It was so quiet. OMG. The darkness was setting in. No houses. No other souls. His breathing was going faster.

The birds searched a shelter. They had to. Freezing circumstances. The trees could not speak. Roots frozen. The whole forest was dark and cold. The sound of his boots. Special. In his luggage some food. He was not hungry. Yet. He looked around him. With big eyes. He was not dreaming. This was real. So real. It has been two days since he started his journey. No mobile phone. Disconnected from internet. He felt relieved. Alone with mother nature. Reminded of his inner voice. He sensed that his path was the right one.

Suddenly a noise. He was surprised. Not expecting anyone or anything. A fallen tree on the ground. He almost stumbled. Balance remained. His hands touched the earth. A small object in his hands. With utmost care he felt what it could be. His fingers detecting. It was cold and icy. Sharp too. A paper. He stopped walking. Decided to make a fire. That way he could see more. In the darkness. The flames supported him gently. The object was a bundle of ice crystals. The letter manually written. A clear message: 'Bring this back to the first house that appears when you leave the forest'.

No idea what this was all about. He spent the night in the forest. The fire kept him warm. Childhood memories returned. He could not sleep well. Accepted that fact. He had chosen to be here. His responsibility. He assumed it. Early in the morning it was time to leave again. He kept on walking. No stop. The ice crystals did not melt in his warm hands. A miracle. No energy to wonder why. The birds were waking up. A weak sound. They wanted to sing. It was in their natural art to do so. It made him smile. Again. Birds a little frustrated. They loved the music in the forest more.

From a distance he saw some lights. That must be the house. There was only one house. The daylight returned. He saw behind him. A tunnel of darkness. Left aside. A small house. Some windows. He knocked on the wooden door. A very old lady opened the door. She was full of wrinkles. A black cat gazing at him. The old lady took the ice crystals without saying a word. He was impressed. How did she know about their existence? The black cat danced around her legs. She was extremely happy about something.

He felt dizzy. His light went out. A full knockout. The old lady could bring him to a white couch. The black cat noticed how tall he was. The ice crystals on the table. The old witch spread them in a circle. Her book of magic and wonders right beside her. She studied the case. Exceptional. Then she found the truth. He was in a transformation. To reach his other soul part. She could give him a helping hand. Seven days in a row he kept on sleeping. So deep. She sat beside him, whispering magic formula. The black cat loyal and true. On the seventh day everything changed.

His transformation was completed. The black cat was gone. The old witch became a beautiful young lady. Wrinkles undone. The wooden house turned into a castle. The book of magic and wonders left behind in the forest. He opened his eyes. Smiled. Fully awake. Darkness in the past. No need to explain a single thing. It was all natural. She danced around the table. In the most enchanting way. A love letter in the air. Written in blue. His mission was clear. Ice melted. His heart spoke one word: 'Love'. His soul and her soul a twin. They were home.

By Liesbeth Leysen

Professional Writer