Her tears hit the ground readily, and so heavily that I was suddenly overcome by the scent of earth. Her lachrymal downpour brought up the smell of sorrow, loneliness, and fear. Of death, and terror. Regret. All the weight carried by a world spinning and drifting without guidance, brought up by saltwater sadness.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1nD19sdU3
How do you comfort someone like that, with that power? A stranger, who can summon one hundred thousand years of suffering from all the graves of man, with little more effort than the shedding of tears? It’s beyond my abilities, certainly. So although I had begun my approach with the intention of consolation, I stopped short before she could notice me.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS0hNVkRxx
At her feet a river formed, wending its own way to the lake before us. She stared hard into that vast pool, as though hoping the waters would rise up and swallow her as punishment for tainting them. It never happened. Instead, gentle ripples spread out to make room for the accepted addition.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q6LaBGhv2
Still that acrid smell stung my nose, the acid of our history melting away the faces of ancestors I’d previously imagined with smiles. All the pain of the planet and its inhabitants was hitting me at once through my nostrils, building to such intensity I felt myself about to weep, as this woman before me was doing. I was terrified of breaking down, of her noticing me and coming closer. I prayed to all the trees and mountains of the world that she would never come near me. Even from this distance, I was barely able to endure the pungent odour of humanity’s grief.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQQKwxId7o
Suddenly, as though my prayer was heard and answered, she turned from the lake, and from me, and began to walk away. She never saw me. She never knew I was there. I fell to my knees and breathed – the ground beneath smelled of earth, and grass, but nothing more. When I looked up, I saw her dress move in the wind. It was the strangest summer day.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwCIpbGwKg
Penana
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