A peculiar vibrancy was felt that day. It seemed to be coming from the valley below. From this altitude, it was impossible to determine what caused the quiver in the air, and it was only upon descending that one thought one could hear a choir. The voices travelled through the sky in upward motion and moved beyond the highest mountain peaks. Like wildflowers, they sprouted from between the ridges and formed what can only be described as the most extraordinary bouquet one had ever seen. 

— 

The lost traveller stared into the creek trying to discern a face. As if directing a waltz, the streaming water divided and rearranged the components, merging the eyes only to multiply them half a second later. The creek moved the nose from ear to mouth and back, letting all of it disappear once in a while to avoid the impression of giving any guarantees. No reassurance was found: the traveller was lost and could not establish with certainty that her face was there the way it had been a week ago. The traveller had never felt so utterly naked, so stubbornly singular. She stepped into the creek in hopes of dissolving like a cube of sugar, in hopes of being carried away to sea, where surely, she would find someone to help, someone who could confirm her location. The attempt resulted into nothing but a wet woman, shivering on a wind-exposed stone.  

— 

The days went by, the world remained ever-changing, and the maps had failed. The compass had lost its ability to differentiate between north and south, and a persistent overcast sky prevented anyone in the area from working with the stars. The traveller saw no other option than to use her last tool at hand.  

— 

The voice is a remarkable thing, and the traveller knew this. Inspired by the bats and whales, who used their voice to determine their location and navigate a route, the traveller screamed into the void. For want of inspiration and guided by the desire to communicate, she set free a forceful “Hellooo?” to roam its surroundings like a scout. Being of a pragmatic nature, the traveller did not expect an answer, although she did secretly hope for one. The “hello” was carried on the wind, and soon enough, grew a fine pair of wings. Before the traveller had realised, her cry had disappeared from sight.  

— 

The traveller startled when from a far-off corner a muffled voice responded with an “ellooo?” and soon after an ever fainter “loooo!” joined the chorus. The traveller moved her head from left to right in astonishment. Someone, something in the mountains had responded to her cry. The traveller stood upright to see better and to make sure her voice travelled farther than she could.   
 
 “Anyone there?” 

“One there!” 
 

Just before she wanted to ask where the voice was coming from, the third voice called again. 

 
“There!” 
 

Where? It came from the right, from the valley surrounded by the highest mountains. Only now did the lost traveller realise that she had already sensed a vibrant current coming from that side a few hours ago.  

“Who are you?” 

“Are you” 

“You!” 

“Meeee?”          

“Meee” 

“Me!” 

 – 

The peculiar vibrancy that was felt that day came from the valley below. It lasted only a few hours and was never heard again.