the glow

[b]

Further into the distance the glow appeared.Her hope remained as long as she could see it, but as the last thread of its beacon slipped over the horizon, a sense of dread crawled in to take its place. She didn’t want to face the pitch-black night. The ship had never gotten close enough to see her and now it was gone.She was alone. Alone.As darkness gathered, her dread gave way to outright fear. She was exhausted from the day’s unblinking stare of the sun on open water and it was panic alone, which now kept her alert. Easing down against the deck, she struggled to calm herself.…what met her eyes changed everything.No matter what was to happen, she understood.In the blackest ink of the night sky the vast Milky Way looked back at her.It welcomed her and held her in its glow.She was made of these stars.