Cold Shadow

Before I knew it, I was back here—standing amidst the black sands, under the bright white sky and in front of the empty golden chariot. No sight of the light lady.

Not that it made any difference.

I must have been in this damned dessert dozens of times and, unlike today, the light lady made an appearance every time. And each time she simply stood there beside the golden chariot, barren of any animal pulling it forward.

She simply stood in silence.

Mute.

No, that wasn’t right. Rather, she spoke but my ears failed to pick anything up.

It seemed that whatever this place was, it stripped all of my senses except my sight.

I felt no heat, nor any cold.

I heard no sound, be it from the strange woman or from any non-existent wind in this land.

No smell reached my nose nor did I taste anything.