Jessika Downes-Gössl

Basking in the comfortable warmth, he delights in how the rays envelop every inch of his skin like a blanket. He is on Earth, there's no doubt. He sees blue-green liquid. It's lapping up against a sandy shoreline right before his eyes. So much water everywhere. It's hard for him to comprehend the vastness. He feels as if he's witnessing the most spectacular phenomenon.

Basking in the comfortable warmth, he delights in how the rays envelop every inch of his skin like a blanket. He is on Earth, there's no doubt. He sees blue-green liquid. It's lapping up against a sandy shoreline right before his eyes. So much water everywhere. It's hard for him to comprehend the vastness. He feels as if he's witnessing the most spectacular phenomenon.

Basking in the comfortable warmth, he delights in how the rays envelop every inch of his skin like a blanket. He is on Earth, there's no doubt. He sees blue-green liquid. It's lapping up against a sandy shoreline right before his eyes. So much water everywhere. It's hard for him to comprehend the vastness. He feels as if he's witnessing the most spectacular phenomenon.

It's stunning to think this planet has seven seas and four oceans of water on this scale of magnitude. Reggie composes himself and looks around. The beach has grainy sand and beautifully sculpted trees a dozen feet from the shoreline. Beyond the trees is the base of a massive rock. It rises steeply to a height Reggie can hardly believe is possible.

It's stunning to think this planet has seven seas and four oceans of water on this scale of magnitude. Reggie composes himself and looks around. The beach has grainy sand and beautifully sculpted trees a dozen feet from the shoreline. Beyond the trees is the base of a massive rock. It rises steeply to a height Reggie can hardly believe is possible.

It's stunning to think this planet has seven seas and four oceans of water on this scale of magnitude. Reggie composes himself and looks around. The beach has grainy sand and beautifully sculpted trees a dozen feet from the shoreline. Beyond the trees is the base of a massive rock. It rises steeply to a height Reggie can hardly believe is possible.

He looks the massive rock up and down several times. It has shrubbery and trees protruding from its surface. Small animals run along its craggy steps as easily as a person walking up a ramp. This must be a mountain, he thinks to himself.

He looks the massive rock up and down several times. It has shrubbery and trees protruding from its surface. Small animals run along its craggy steps as easily as a person walking up a ramp. This must be a mountain, he thinks to himself.

He looks the massive rock up and down several times. It has shrubbery and trees protruding from its surface. Small animals run along its craggy steps as easily as a person walking up a ramp. This must be a mountain, he thinks to himself.

It's so tall, it's as if it's trying to compete against the clear blue sky, which obviously has no equal in height other than the stars and vacuum beyond the planet's atmosphere. The agency has given Reggie extensive training in Earth geography and cartography, so he knows from a glance that he's in Greece. A beautiful and ancient Earth nation.

It's so tall, it's as if it's trying to compete against the clear blue sky, which obviously has no equal in height other than the stars and vacuum beyond the planet's atmosphere. The agency has given Reggie extensive training in Earth geography and cartography, so he knows from a glance that he's in Greece. A beautiful and ancient Earth nation.

It's so tall, it's as if it's trying to compete against the clear blue sky, which obviously has no equal in height other than the stars and vacuum beyond the planet's atmosphere. The agency has given Reggie extensive training in Earth geography and cartography, so he knows from a glance that he's in Greece. A beautiful and ancient Earth nation.

From the landmarks around him and his mission briefing, Reggie can make a guess. The beautiful water he can hardly pull his eyes from is known as the Ionian Sea. Yes, this is the right place. Reggie's pod is facing the sea. That means his wishmaker will be somewhere along the shore to his right.

From the landmarks around him and his mission briefing, Reggie can make a guess. The beautiful water he can hardly pull his eyes from is known as the Ionian Sea. Yes, this is the right place. Reggie's pod is facing the sea. That means his wishmaker will be somewhere along the shore to his right.

From the landmarks around him and his mission briefing, Reggie can make a guess. The beautiful water he can hardly pull his eyes from is known as the Ionian Sea. Yes, this is the right place. Reggie's pod is facing the sea. That means his wishmaker will be somewhere along the shore to his right.

He removes his peacoat and changes into a pair of trousers and a long-sleeved shirt, both made of light, breathable fabric. As soon as he's clambered from the pod, it lifts off into the air and seems to disappear. It's camouflaged from prying eyes and human technology. Reggie knows that it will remain suspended 20 feet above the ground until he calls it back.

He removes his peacoat and changes into a pair of trousers and a long-sleeved shirt, both made of light, breathable fabric. As soon as he's clambered from the pod, it lifts off into the air and seems to disappear. It's camouflaged from prying eyes and human technology. Reggie knows that it will remain suspended 20 feet above the ground until he calls it back.

He removes his peacoat and changes into a pair of trousers and a long-sleeved shirt, both made of light, breathable fabric. As soon as he's clambered from the pod, it lifts off into the air and seems to disappear. It's camouflaged from prying eyes and human technology. Reggie knows that it will remain suspended 20 feet above the ground until he calls it back.

He begins trudging purposefully over the sand. And after a 10-minute walk, he finds her. He hears her first as a beautiful melody is carried on the sea breeze. Reggie wants to stop and listen. He might pull up a chair if there were one within reach. The song is coming from directly ahead.

He begins trudging purposefully over the sand. And after a 10-minute walk, he finds her. He hears her first as a beautiful melody is carried on the sea breeze. Reggie wants to stop and listen. He might pull up a chair if there were one within reach. The song is coming from directly ahead.