Seed

Chapter 6

I slowly climb into the small boat, tears streaming down my face. No matter how much I want him to come, I know in my heart that he can't.

I avoid looking back as the boat sails into the wind, but I steal one last glance at him before I leave him forever.

His white fur is glistening in the sun and he looks so fragile against the powerful wind and dull, yellow sun glaring down upon him.

I knew that there was going to be a long journey ahead of me, so I try to sit down on the tiny boat and get comfortable.

As I drift closer and closer to the sun on the horizon, I can't help but think of how eye opening this adventure has been for me. The water reflects my face – my eyes are red and puffy from crying. While looking in the water, I see grey staining the water, inching closer to me. Frantic, I place my hands in the cool salt water and start paddling. Faster. Almost there.

I am moving at a level pace with the grey. I keep paddling with one hand and raise the other up to touch the sun...

Suddenly I wake up with a jolt, and there is a blinding light shining in my eyes. I wake up, looking up at the sun in the clear, blue sky. I realize I am not in the sewer. I have been whisked away to the upper world. This place is now an abandoned battle field. There is no visible life.

My left hand is clenched in a fist. I open it up, revealing a small, green seed.

I gradually kneel and dig a small hole in the dirt before me. I place the seed inside it and fill the hole with the displaced soil.

A small red poppy emerges from the ground. Red poppies begin emerging everywhere. The world appears to spring to life before my eyes.

I feel a small weight on my shoulder. I turn my head to see a little white baboon.