Maple

1

My mother's name was Maple. The only reason I know is because I was named after her.

Despite not having parents, I was supported. And despite the support, growing up was slow-going. So many fucking body aches, growth spurts, and sicknesses...so many sicknesses. I can't count how many times others gave their all to support me, to make sure I didn't fall apart. I don't think I deserved it. Because in the long run, I still lost myself.

This is my story beginning from where I lost myself. It starts here, with the blue sky above me, dark clouds slowly chugging forward and churning up a massive storm. I knew I'd never see my family again but I wasn't scared. They watched me go with solemn expressions, hard and tired and incredibly weathered. They couldn't do anything about it. I think they'd do better without me anyways; save their food and their water and their energy. They could stop letting me borrow their lives.

To anyone else, the storm was just another October day. But to me, it meant everything would change. I left it all behind, and I guess the storm was just a jumping point. It's like I had a pact with nature or something. My big dramatic exit.

When I left, the first thing that happened was a near-death experience. I was almost hit by a car as soon as I began to cross the road. Shocked, I moved out of the way as fast as I could, letting the wind guide me back onto the sidewalk. I watched for a moment as the car sped down the road and realized if they struck me, it would have been an easy hit-and-run. I don't think that car would have stopped for me.

So I continued down a path I didn't really understand but knew I couldn't escape. There was no turning back now, it was impossible.

And eventually, the storm passed.