They washed themselves and groomed each others hair. Adorning their bodies with natural pearls and shiny stones strung together; the bright colours, unique and yet genuine natural beauty enhanced their beauty of youthfulness. The excitement brought a bright light to each of their smiling faces, and caused each girl to blush just that little bit. Eyes sparling with the expectation of the unknown, the honour of being groomed for such an event, the closer they became readied the more introspective each lass became.

Cara wanted so much to ask, but felt it an inappropriate thing to do. Didn’t know why she should feel this way, just knew that she did, so swallowing her questions and beating down her curiosity, she joined in with the others in their preparation for…she knew not what. There was a moment; one of the girls who had bent over to comb underneath her hair, stood upright flinging her hair back, and while shaking her head helping to settle the long shiny locks, recognition struck. Cara knew this girl…

A window opened before her, and as she gazed into a reflective like portal she watched herself as a very small child, perhaps 2 – 3 years of age, running and laughing with another young girl. In her memory she recalled a woman’s voice calling out to her friend, beckoning her… “Crystal, come to mamma, come to mamma baby girl”. As suddenly as the widow opened it slammed shut and it felt as though she were shoved, catapulted back into real time – the now.

She looked at the girl who had been introduced to her as Kaka and hoarsely whispered, “Crystal?” The reaction? It was as if a camera had been paused for a time during a movie, and it seemed that the girls didn’t even blink as they stared blankly at Cara. The pause was beginning to cause tension, wrapping around her chest constricting her breathing. A sickly sinking sensation pulled down inside and feeling the colour draining from her face, she ran out of the tent desperate for air. Uncontrollable shaking, shortness of breathe, perspiration and nausea over took the young girl and as she tried to control the violent reaction, she heard her name being called…

“Cara, it is time for you to journey into the deep. Come visit with me. I wait…”