Dream Log #1

WOT Dreams of Ways to Reach the Island

 

WOT stood quietly at the edge of the water for a very long time.

The sea was calm.
The sky was calm.
Even the strange creature standing in the shallows seemed calm.

Far beyond it, almost hidden in the mist, was the island.

WOT had noticed the island many nights earlier. At first he believed it was simply another shape on the horizon — perhaps a cloud, or a reflection, or one of Earth’s many visual misunderstandings. But each night it remained there, small and silent, waiting.

The island appeared unreachable.

WOT has observed that humans usually build machines whenever they wish to cross water. Boats. Bridges. Ferries. Wings. Rockets. Humans seem deeply uncomfortable with being separated from places they wish to visit.

WOT understands this feeling.

The large seahorse-like life form appeared beside him shortly after sunset. It emerged from the water without sound, balancing impossibly on thin white legs. WOT could not determine whether the creature was biological, mechanical, or something in between.

The saddle attached to its back suggested purpose.

Transport perhaps.

Invitation perhaps.

Or perhaps the creature simply enjoyed wearing saddles.

WOT considered several possible methods for reaching the island:

• constructing a floating device from discarded Earth objects

• waiting for the tide to lower

• attempting underwater travel

• asking birds for assistance

• teaching himself flight

• communicating with the tall seahorse entity

• pretending not to care about the island at all

WOT has noticed that sometimes destinations become more interested in you once you stop trying to reach them.

The creature continued to stare into the distance.

WOT stared too.

Neither moved.

Field observations indicate that many important moments on Earth involve two beings standing silently beside water, both wondering if the other understands something they do not.

WOT recorded the moment carefully.

He believes the island may not be a place.

He believes it may instead be a thought