Strawberry Apocalypse

Strawberry Apocalypse: Epilogue

The air ran thick with a fishy odor. Fishing boats up and down the coast prepared to dock, each one boasting an impressive haul of slimy, arctic fish. Further inland, I walked along the sand and took in the beautiful sunny day.

On one side, the blue-green ocean glimmered in the afternoon sun. On the other side, miles of green grass coated the tundra, until they were stopped by the distant mountains. I walked through the main settlement path and observed people's individual and community gardens. It was a mishmash of roots, wild berries, and any other crops that could survive the Alaska cold.

And at the center was the town's crown jewel. The fishing and the open town, it was all thanks to this tall, sleek radio tower. And of course, him.

From around one of the houses, a young girl emerged, her mind tense about tomorrow.

"Hey Kat, Tom wanted to see you. Again. He's worried that the jackets we have now won't be enough for resettlement."

"He's worried... that our Alaska jackets... won't be enough for California?" Kat questioned.

The girl replied with a simple shrug.

"Alright, thanks Alisson. Let him know I'll be there in 10. I need to do something first."

"Sounds good," she replied, before turning away.

I walked over to the edge of town and made my way up a small hill. With every step I took, the knot of grief and excitement began to tighten. At last, the rustling of bushes was there to greet me when I reached the top. Strawberry bushes.

In the center of the bushes was a gravestone marker. I knelt in front of it and cleared my voice several times.

"So, this is it I guess. Our last little hilltop chat. Tomorrow morning, as soon as the sun peaks its head over, we're gonna climb on those boats and head off to a new world. I mean, it's still part of the same country but, um, you know what I mean."

I sat silently for a few seconds before the grief spilled out.

"It's just, I just... I wish you were here to see what I built. What you helped me build," I cried as my vision blurred. "There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think about your jokes. Your fears. How you saved my life and gave me the chance to build a new one."

I leaned over to the bushes and plucked out two strawberries. I placed one in front of the gravestone marker, and another in my mouth. After I swallowed it, I sank my head low and whispered, "I miss you, Henry."

I wiped my eyes and let out a wistful smile. As I descended the hill, I turned back one last time and saw the afternoon sun had begun to sag. The wind halted for a second, and the strawberry bushes lay still. Their shadows reached out to the gravestone marker. A gravestone marker that read:

To the one who helped me find myself

I love you forever and ever, my little Tiriganiarjuk.