Before we knew: Halfway to God I
(Before we knew...)
If you ever wander into a lonely forest, past the thick wall of evergreen trees, through a fairy-lit path, across the glowing lake, you might see a silhouette in one of the many windows of the Hall. That would be me, wishing to be outside where you are.

Of course, I've never seen or heard anything - not even a bird - pass. But I have faith. I have faith that you will be the first, and that you will find me and take me away.

When I first became Luminescent, I had only the memory of you. Now I can barely remember your face and I cannot remember your name, but I remember how much I loved you. Someone once told me, perhaps it was you, that if we have faith in God, he will grant our heart's desire. I pray every day that one day we will meet again.

The new Luminescent, who holds the same position as I did when I first came, brings back a wave of nostalgia and longing for the past.

"What's your name?" I ask him.

He glances downward and says nothing.

"I won't tell," I promise.

After deliberating for a moment, he whispers his name so quietly that I had to strain to hear it.

"Make sure you don't forget it."

His eyes widened, showing his fear and confusion.

"It’s unfortunate," I sigh as I take his hand, "but many have been here so long that they have forgotten their name." I lower my voice and tell him, "Someone once told me to repeat it to myself every night before I sleep so that I won't lose it in my dreams."

A glimmer appears in his eyes. On his face is a ghost of a smile.