Like the Dawn

Chapter 6: Tally Marks

Tess was taken over by the paracosm at this point. That's what Silas told her the world was called, a paracosm. She made sure to look it up later in the morning. The definition of paracosm is an imagined world, usually filled with childhood wonder and a complex universe. Upon reading it on Wikipedia Tess glanced up at the ceiling, thinking how incomparable it was. Somewhere deep inside her she felt a puzzle piece fit perfectly in its place and she knew it was the right name for it.

When Tess wasn't in the paracosm she was either working at Alice's gallery, painting, or writing. The gallery was a world of its own; She could guide buyer's through the artwork, remembering the keynotes of a painting's features. It would be details like how the painting was supposed to evoke a certain emotion, or the concept held behind its creation. This was simply a memory game for her, not to mention a chance to show off her winning smile. She enjoyed the job, but it was a way to pass the time, a way to provide for college, survival.

Her true love at the moment was, of course the paracosm. Every morning she journaled about the Shades and Silas. She would write about their sessions and how it was as if she were worshipped by the Shades. They would wait on her every move, whereas Silas was watching her, studying her. When she taught the Shades, it was immediate and informational. Silas was searching for deeper meaning in her lessons. It was as if he were feeling for something. This had piqued Tess's curiosity.

Aside from writing outside of the paracosm she had started to draw and paint the world. Tess loved painting in watercolor and the landscapes of the world were perfect for it. They were layers of earth and growth; depths of elements and substance. She had only explored her immediate surroundings at the Shade's home, but she wanted to see it all. She could see high mountains to the south; the peak sharp and pointed like a rifle's bayonet. The range stretched wide like it separated these shades from the rest of the world. Where the mountains stretched to the east they grew smaller into hills overgrown by grass. The soft blankets of green were cut through by beaks that seemed to float. At other times, the shards of mountain seemed to pierce the veil of overgrowth. On the opposite side of the range was what looked like any ordinary forest, except for this otherworldly blue glow that filled the pine trees. During the day the hills of trees were shrouded in fog. To the northwest she could see monumental glaciers and a tundra at its feet. The tundra was free from the fog as if the cold dropped the fog dead as it got too far into its territory. However cold the tundra was, Tess couldn't feel it from the shore. The water was even comfortable to wade through. Tess thought this must mean the glaciers were titanic to be able to be seen from here. In fact, most of the landmarks must be gargantuan.

In the world, Tess had been watching the Shades create. She watched how they dug holes to start cultivating what she assumed were the same fruits she had found at the island. She had wanted to go back there but hadn't yet got the nerve for it. The island was mysterious, a little bit creepy, and very intriguing to her all at once. She knew that Silas had lived there at one point because it was where he brought her. He hadn't invited her yet, so she was waiting till he did.

Silas had been at the shore with the Shades as well when they dug their holes. Maybe he had even been the one to give them the seeds, Tess thought. He had been trying to spend time with them and they seemed to be warming to him. He had helped them build deeper into the ground while still giving them light though tunnels, something he was quite proud to show her.

He had asked the shades if he could show them how to make boats. He watched in a serious way, like his gaze was laser focused. It was a way he had watched Tess before too. He also had them take him out into the ocean. She was a little worried that maybe this could end up bad if they weren't quite comfortable with each other. They came back with fish though, or something like them. The fish were all sticks and leaves with golden light shimmer through their leave. Silas showed them how to crack the fish open and pull the heart out with a hook. The heart looked more like a shimmering gold pearl. The Shades seemed to find them incredibly appetizing because suddenly every Shade had a fish to pop open.