That smell. That horrid smell.

She couldn’t quite place it but it lingered. It was putrid. Revolting. Inescapable yet undetermined. Revolting. Amazing that something so horrific could be intertwined with such serenity and beauty. She would be in awe if it were not for how putrid it all was. But she had been selected and she must follow through with the ritual.

She rolled up her sleeves and reached into the waters.

She pulled up fear first. Then truth. Then courage. Then came the arms.