Just Dipping Your Toes In

Ella stared longingly down at the water just below her dangling feet. The crystal clear water sparkled and glimmered in the afternoon sun. The summer heat caused the water to be even more inviting. Ella was tempted just to dip her toes into the calm pool, but such an act was forbidden. Father was continually warning the children of the dangers of the pools. Many pools could be found in the surrounding woods, although they seemed perfectly harmless. Father warned them that once a person had immersed him or herself in the crystal water, he or she would become trapped in its watery clutches and eventually die. It was even said that if one dared to dip a single toe into the water, mysterious watery beings would appear and tug you completely in. Father claimed that many children whom he had adopted and taken into his home, had already been lost to the pools. Ella had always believed what Father said, but now she began to question his teachings. The glassy surface of the water remained unbroken, and she could see straight to the sandy bottom. Surely it would not hurt just to stick her feet in...

“Ella!” a voice interrupted her thoughts. “Where are you?” Ella quickly pulled her feet back onto the dock and retraced her steps towards home. She didn't want anyone to discover her here. Her best friend, Hanna, met her at the cottage door. “Where have you been?” she asked. Hanna's blue eyes suspiciously examined Ella's rolled up pant legs and bare feet.

“Just in the woods,” Ella quickly responded. “It's awfully hot out, isn't it?” she said trying to redirect the topic of conversation. Hanna only nodded and turned to go inside. Ella pulled down her pant legs and followed. 

The nine other children of the home were already seated at the dining room table. Father sat at the head. They had already begun the meal. Ella and Hanna silently slid into their seats. “You're late, Ella.” Father stared at her. Ella suddenly felt naked under his gaze. She always felt that way when he looked at her sternly. He seemed to know her every thought and desire. Ella avoided his gaze.

“Sorry,” Ella mumbled, hoping he wouldn't ask where she had been. She quickly stuffed a piece of bread into her mouth.

“Have you washed?” Father asked knowingly. Ella shook her head. She got up to wash her hands, feeling all the children's eyes on her.

As the children readied for bed that night, Ella noticed three of the boys seemed excited over something. She listened carefully, hoping to find the reason for their excitement.

“You didn't!” exclaimed one boy.

“Yes, I did,” insisted the tall blond leader of the group named Tyler. “I stuck my feet all the way in!” Ella gasped. Did he mean in one of the pools? She secretly envied him.

“Did you see any water beasts?” asked the short red head.

“Nope, but I did see the most beautiful creature ever! She wanted me to play.”

“Did you?”

“No, though I told her I would come back tomorrow. You guys want to come?” 

Before the other two boys could respond, Ella stepped in. “I'll go.”

The boys' faces expressed something between shock and admiration. “Seriously?” Tyler questioned.

“Seriously.”

He grinned. “Meet us after chores at ten o'clock by the nearest pool tomorrow morning.”

Ten o'clock couldn't come fast enough for Ella. She was nervous yet excited all at once. She couldn't believe she had actually agreed to get into one of the pools. Finally ten o'clock came, and Ella met Tyler and the other boys at the nearest pool.

“Ladies first!” exclaimed Tyler.

“Maybe this isn't a good idea,” said Ella, her nerves almost getting the best of her.

“Oh come on! Just dip your toes in.”

Ella walked over to the edge of the dock and sat down. “Oh alright.” The water once again enticed her to jump in and feel the pleasure of its coolness. She cautiously dipped her toes in. Immediately an exciting sensation shot up her feet to the rest of her body. Ella laughed. It felt so good.

“See it's not so bad,” said Tyler. He and the other boys joined her. Suddenly Ella felt a playful tug on her leg. Father's warnings shot through her mind, but she pushed them aside. Ella felt another tug, and a head popped out of the water. Ella gasped. It was the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. She seemed human, yet made of water and a part of the water. Soon others popped up and began tugging on the boys' legs. They were beckoning for the children to come play. “Come on!” Tyler yelled and dove in. The other boys followed. Ella took a deep breath and did the same. The exciting sensation tickled her whole body as she hit the water. The gentle coolness of the water rushing by convinced her this was paradise. Nothing could be better. She popped up to the surface to catch her breath, but suddenly felt herself being pulled downward. She panicked and tried to escape from the clutches of the water creature that pulled her. When she could hold her breath no longer, she opened her mouth expecting to drown. Water rushed into her lungs. Ella waited for pain and death, but they never came. She slowly exhaled, and laughed. This water was breathable! Ella greedily gulped at the water. It was so sweet and refreshing! Finally Ella opened her eyes. The mysterious water being greeted her and laughed with her. She whisked back her waterfall of hair and darted downwards.

“Hey, come back!” Ella yelled and laughed some more. She swam after her, feeling more like she was flying. The boys were nowhere in sight, but she didn't care. Ella was going to enjoy herself for once.

Hours later, Ella was still enjoying herself. She still was chasing the water creature deeper into the pool. At the surface Ella had clearly seen the sandy bottom of the pool; but now that she was in the water, there was no bottom. The surface, however, did seem to move farther away every second. Ella did not let it bother her. This was too much fun. 

“Ella! Ella!” a voice called.

Ella stopped swimming. It sounded like Father's voice. Guilt swept over her.

“Ella! Ella! Come home!” he called.

Ella shrugged off the guilt and plugged her ears. She had no time for Father and his stupid rules. She was having more fun breaking them. The water being tugged on her feet again, signaling to Ella that she wanted her to play some more. Ella gratefully resumed their game of tag.

It was days later when reality finally struck Ella. Slowly Ella had wearied of the continuous game of tag, and the exciting sensation became common place. All the more frightening was the fact that she found herself trapped. The surface was no longer visible. She couldn't even tell which direction was up. Father had continued to call to her many times, but she was so used to blocking him out she could no longer hear his calls. She was convinced now that even he could not save her. Ella, weary and full of despair, just gave up. She quit swimming and chasing the water creature and closed her eyes, just wanting to die and end it all. The Water creature tugged on her. Ella didn't move. The creature tried harder, even pretending to cry; but Ella was finished. She screamed, “No! No! No! I've had enough of this. I just want to die!” Seeing that Ella meant what she said, the creature let out a low growl. Ella only cried more. “Oh, Father, you were right!” At this the creature growled more fiercely. In an instant the beautiful creature was transformed into a hideous beast. Ella screamed and frantically swam away, but the beast pursued her. He roared and bared his teeth. Spikes shot out from his back and tail, and scales covered every inch of his skin. Long claws reached out for Ella and six tongues forked out at her feet. Six glaring eyes watched her every move. The water around grew darker every second. Just as the beast was gaining on her, Ella cried out to her only hope. “Oh Father, I am so sorry! Forgive me. I want to come home!” At that moment Ella again heard her Father's voice.

“ I love you, Dear One. Take my hand. I will carry you safely home. Trust me.”

“But I can't see your hand!” Ella cried out.

“Believe, Daughter,” he whispered. “Just take my hand.”

Ella groped in the darkness and grasped what she could not see. Immediately she found herself being pulled from the dark depths. Had his hand always been there, outstretched, waiting for her to take hold? The water grew lighter, and she could see it for what it was - a bottomless grave.

When she broke through the water's surface, she felt herself being wrapped in her Father's arms. Oh how he loved her! How long had he been calling to her with hand outstretched? Ella hugged him back. “I'm so sorry, Father.”

“I forgive you, Child.”

Ella looked around. “Where are Tyler and the boys?” she questioned. Sorrow filled her Father's eyes, and Ella knew the answer.

“I must continue to call for them also,” he replied.

“May I call too?”

“Of course, Daughter. They must be saved before it is too late. There is so little time.” He wrapped his daughter in an embrace once more. Ella looked back at the pool. It still sparkled and shimmered innocently as before, beckoning her to just dip her toes in; but Ella gripped her Father's hand tighter, determined to never let go.