Water by Terra Harmony

entrance, I believe Kaitlyn could’ve done without the physical exertion right before this task."
    Shawn didn’t respond, keeping his eyes downcast.
    With a wave of his hand, Cato dismissed him, and Shawn obediently shrunk back into the woods.
    Cato already had my arm and was escorting me away from the trees.  "It isn’t often Shawn finds his match in a running partner."  I risked a glance over my shoulder, attempting to see how Shawn took the parting shot.  He hesitated, seeming to debate if he should respond.  He decided against it, and continued into the woods, never turning his back on us.  As he slipped into the shadows, the moonlight glinted off his cold blue eyes so they were the last to fade from view.
    Cato waved his hand ahead of us, directing my attention away from Shawn to the lake.  There was no evidence it had been frozen over the day before, not even floating ice chunks. 
    "Do you know what today is?"  Cato asked.
    "Um, Christmas?"  I joked.
    Cato smiled.  "I suppose in a way, for us, it is a lot like Christmas.  It is the first day of spring, known by many names; the vernal equinox, Ostara, Eostre, or the Goddess of Dawn, after whom Easter is named.  It is a time when day and night become equal in length, a true balance of light and dark."
    "Fun," I said.  "Do we get to open presents?"
    "Kaitlyn, this is much better than any material gift.  Many of us feel reborn after a long winter.  It is a time of triumphant return of life to Earth.  And for you, it is quite significant as well.  It is the acceptance of your new life as Gaia, if you choose to do so."
    My eyebrows rose.  "You mean I have a choice?"
    "You were taken against your will, but to continue on this path, you must do so freely."  Cato held out his hands, both closed tight, holding something.  "In my right hand I have a gift, choose this hand if you want to stay.  In my left hand is a key to that lockbox over there."  He pointed to a small box sitting near the shore of the lake.  "It contains directions out of here, money, and your passport.  If you choose this hand, you are free to go."
    Cato looked at me intently, trying to read my face.
    It was hard not to burst out laughing at the dramatics.  "Hmm, blue pill, red pill."
    Cato furrowed his eyebrows.  "What?"
    "You don’t watch many movies, do you?"
    Now he was frowning.  "And you don’t take anything seriously, do you?"
    With a valiant attempt to sober, I made my choice without much thought.  His right hand; I was too curious now not to stay, despite Shawn’s malintent, and possibly, in spite of it.  Cato smiled and opened his hand.  There was nothing in it.
    It was my turn to frown. 
    "I told you, Kaitlyn.  This day is more important than any material gift."  He took my hand in his and led me to the edge of the water.  "Now, to cast away your old life."  He handed me the key.  "Throw it out as far as you can."
    I did so, hitting the lake dead center.
    "Well done!  Deepest part."  Cato congratulated me.  "Now, do the same with the box."
    I paused.  "Are you serious?  Don’t you want to get the money out first - maybe buy some decent bread?"
    Cato laughed.  "It isn’t about the money, and the significance of the task is well worth the cost."
    I shrugged my shoulders and did as I was told.  The box didn’t make it nearly as far, but sank quickly.  I watched it slip from view and my stomach turned.  More than anything, I was disturbed at how indifferent I felt as the chance to have my old life back dissapeared.
    Cato clapped his hands once.  "Good, good.  Now we can begin."  He took my hand in his and began to chant.  "Oh lady of the starry heavens, wise all-father, behold our child Kaitlyn.  Hail Earth, mother of all.  This is our Gaia, our love, and our jewel."  Cato bent down and grabbed a pinch of dirt, smearing it across my forehead.
    "Hey!"  I backed away in protest.
     "Stay still!"  He hissed, then went on with his prayer, "Bless