Black Sand

“That's it,” Jade said. “She's gone.” She collapsed to her knees, starting into the empty archway. A comforting hand came to rest on her shoulder, but she gave no response.

“She may still come back to us,” Keil said. His voice attempted reassurance, but it quavered as much as Jade's had. “There is a path back. I'm sure of it.”

Jade had no ears for such words. She simply stared down at the black sand beyond the stone arch. Willing that bright light to spill through it again, signaling that her sister was coming back home.

But there was no light. Only black sand reflecting the light of the fading sun.