FICTION — SHORT STORY
Atlantis
A MUSE BY ANY OTHER NAME

November 19, 2017, Dear Atlantis,
The curve of my handwriting probably gives me away, even if these words are new between us. Since the moment I drew my first breath, you’ve shadowed my every move, lingering in every decision I’ve made. Why have you been so persistent?
People whisper about you—from the wrinkled elders to the eager youth. Their opinions of you shift like sand; some gaze at you with awe, as if you’re the embodiment of beauty, while others deny your very existence. A few even despise you. There are moments when your presence grates on me. Yet, some call you life’s greatest gift. Who’s right? Time will tell.
Among the fervent whispers about you, my curiosity flared. I’ve always been lured by the unknown. But then, like chains, you ensnared me. You tore into my very soul, planting emotions I couldn’t grasp. The profound feeling that she became my world—that was your doing, wasn’t it?
In my quest to find you, I saw your reflection in her—my very own Atlantis. She mirrored every emotion you kindled within me. Our souls intertwined—a dance of fate where I saw you in her every move. Did she ever sense your spirit within her?
She remained oblivious to the depth of my feelings, to the essence of you within her. My heart ached to connect with you through her, but she barricaded her heart stronger than age-old fortresses. Desperately, I sought you in her embrace, but she pushed me away. And just as suddenly, you vanished from her.
Do my feelings even matter to you? If they did, you’d recognise the depth of my attachment to her. But you abandoned us. I’m left searching for your essence once more. But this search feels different, more elusive. Having seen you so vividly in her, seeking you in another feels like scaling mountains, forsaking every cherished belief about you, and starting from scratch. The haunting thought? I must discover you in someone new.
Stumbling upon a sea of hollow-eyed travellers, I felt their weariness mirror mine. Thousands, maybe even millions, lingered by the river’s edge, the ominous River Unknown stretching before us. Their faces were etched with longing, drawn by a mysterious allure—your allure. A young woman caught my gaze; her eyes held a glimpse of you, but it wasn’t truly you. She had seen a reflection of you in someone else, perhaps a lover. My heart ached as I spotted souls who’d surrendered the hope of ever crossing this river to reach you, some too lost to even remember their journey’s beginning.
How could you pull at hearts like this? A distant glow on the horizon caught my eye—a fleeting promise, but it ignited determination within me. I am coming for you. And you owe us answers. With newfound resolve, I called the disheartened souls around me. Together, we’d brave this river.
“Look! Atlantis beckons!” I cried out.
A puzzled man retorted, “Atlantis? What do you mean?”
“Atlantis!” My finger shot towards the distant luminance, which now glimmered more intensely yet seemed further away.
A weary woman, her grip on her child frail and faltering, whispered, “You mean the Grail? She’s elusive, almost resisting discovery.”
A striking young man, eyes red-rimmed and tired, interjected from atop a rickety cart, “Grail? To me, that’s El Dorado!”
Why did each voice whisper a different name for you, Atlantis? A realisation dawned on me: You wore a unique face for each seeking heart. This revelation only fuelled my quest. I vow, regardless of the trials, to uncover you. And when our paths finally cross … you better be prepared.
As dusk draped the skies, I lingered by the river’s edge, my gaze fixed on the light—my guiding star. A young girl approached, her question breaking my reverie. “What captures your attention?” I simply gestured towards the beacon.
Her voice soft yet laden with sorrow, she murmured, “That’s Love. I’ve been chasing it since it vanished the day my father passed.”
Be it Atlantis, the Grail, El Dorado, or Love, you dance behind many veils. But with each heartbeat, I get closer to unveiling you.
Until our paths intertwine again. Farewell, Atlantis.




