Stonehenge

Writing Prompt:

You're able to gather meaning from any writing in any language. You think it's pretty cool until you visit Stonehenge and read it as "WARNING - DANGER ZONE"

"This is it! It's finally happening", I thought as the plane hit the tarmac. After months of saving up and managing shifting schedules, I was embarked on my journey to see the Stonehenge. This was a special trip; especially because my grandmother was with me.

My grandmother is the only one who knows my secret. It is harmless enough, yet special to me: I can grasp any written word. She discovered it when I was four, when I rattled off the instructions to boil instant noodles from the back off a packet. Since then, she and I formed a special bond exchanging and relishing stories from all over the world.

There are many stories associated with the Stonehenge, and they were the reason we were here. You see, some people believe that the Stonehenge is an ancient burial ground, a gateway to the dead. We were here to see my grandfather, her long-gone husband, who had never returned from war.

As we circled the stones, my grandmother finally spotted the markings at the base of the seventh one. She called me over, and I soon relayed the message. It said:

"WARNING - DANGER ZONE.

This is the adobe of souls departed

Heed us, stranger, enter not halfhearted

If among the dead, one is your friend

Cross to join forever and hearts shall mend

If you find not one to call yours, then Foe

To mist and ashes you'll turn, do know."

My grandmother and I looked at each other. This was the moment of goodbye and anguish. She had deeply missed the love of her life for all these years, yet it meant peril if Grandpa's soul wouldn't beckon to her. There was no turning back, so we hugged, and I watched anxiously as she stepped forward.

There was no mist and ash. The sun smiled out of the clouds. I heaved a sigh of relief and tears of joy swam in my eyes. "Happy anniversary, grandma!" I whispered happily.

"Thanks Becky, love from grandma and grandpa", the stone now read.