Chapter 1 // Episode 1 - Jul

Julia Bergshoeff, Photo by Karim Sadli (COS)

She ran. The morning mist still hung heavy in the air above the field. She ran up the familiar hill where pine trees made a natural barrier separating the village from the open dunes and the wind. She ran feeling pine needles under her bare feet. Early mornings were her own, when she didn't share her island with anyone else. She conquered it all on her own. As the wind hit her half dressed body she shuddered. Still not as cold as it must be in the open waters for those that have sailed and not returned. 

Finally down hill, towards where dark waters possessively ripped at the beach, trying to claim more of the island. Without stopping she threw off her sweater getting ready to feel the cold waters. And then she plunged in. For a moment the cold was gone, the sound of the roaring surf also. It was just her piercing the darkness into the calm. How strangely accepting the angry sea was just below the surface. Jul swam down rebelliously as far as her breath would allow and then quickly back up to inhale deeply the salty air above. These morning swims made her feel in control of the ever present sea.

Sea that took away, and sea that gave, without sense or reason.