Normality and Uniquness

Don't You Dare Forget the Sun

They acted as your guides through the ghost town you had resided in since the last you could remember. You knew this town like the back of your hand, but always returned to your house after you reached the very edge.

Beyond that was just a blank space.

Just an endless blue sky, with no clouds in sight, and white sand that stretched as far as the eye could see. Surely, you'd always think, you would die out there. All alone, with no familiarity to comfort you, of dehydration or something unknown to you. Perhaps both.

Or neither. You could always try to walk along, and find out that it was all an illusion. That you could simply jump down a rabbit hole a few feet away, and back into your family's arms. But you never did. You never saw any point to traversing through the desert that revealed no goal or direction. It seemed like such a fruitless task, and would much rather go back home and fill the silence with sounds.

But the edge of town is exactly where the odd pair stopped. And where you stopped next to them.

"... Nothing?" The girl frowned. "Strange. I would've expected something... more. But then again, this is you we're talking about." She sighed.

The boy snorted, and nudged her elbow. "Be nice."

"Yeah yeah yeah." She waved him off, and turned to you.

There. Her eyes flashed again.

"So?"

"..." You were so utterly confused already. What was she expecting from you? And why were they surprised at the scenery? Didn't they travel through it to meet you?

Speaking of which, how did they find you? Why did they want to see you? Why did they know your name?

The girl took you back to reality, when she poked your cheek. 

"Are you stupid? Do I have to spell it out for you?" She huffed. "I-M-A-G-I-N-E. Imagine. Imagineer a place where we can escape."

"That's a bit too general, Beige." They boy glanced at her. A steady gaze that told her 'Shut up', with no room for misinterpretation. "How about this; let's start with the ocean. A clear blue ocean, that's a few shades darker than the sky. Imagine the salty breeze blowing in your face, ruffling your hair."

You closed your eyes.

You imagined a body of water, touched only by sand and sky, with waves lapping at your bare feet. The coolness of it under the summer heat as the sun kissed your forehead. You imagined the pier, on which the boy, Jack, and that girl, Beige, stood, waving you over with smiles on their faces.

You imagined the thoughts I'll remember their faces.'Forming in your mind. From now on, these two are my friends. The ones who know what snow looks like.

After all, I think in pictures, not words.

That isn't you.

You didn't imagine.

You remembered.

You remembered that beach you dreamed of going to with your friends, every summer. Every summer you would lean on your balcony rail, staring wistfully at the sunset, wondering if your friends were watching it too. You would dream of seeing the sea turn blood red, and the sky a lighter crimson, as you would as sit side-by-side. Without any words, you would watch.

You opened your eyes.

And you saw a crystal blue ocean, with a pier, and a fishing rod sitting and waiting for the day's next catch. And a big white and midnight blue ship, sailing towards you with white steam pouring out of the pipes, creating clouds as it approached.

"Not bad." Beige smiled. "But we had to do the ship part. That's a bit too advanced for you."

"We'll have to get on, quickly." He put emphasis on that last word, making sure you understood the urgency behind his words.

"Where are we going?" you asked.

"To a cargo box we loaded on. We have to smuggle you out, after all. It's not like they'll just let you go so easily."

"Who's 'they'?" you asked. The boy, Jack, answered this time.

"Antiviruses. They're going to try to exterminate us, and take you back to that place."

"Antiviruses. You mean, we're in a computer?"

They glanced at each other. "Yes and no. We're your subconscious. Your very mind, in essence, has personified through various programs and codes, so it's easier to monitor your behavior. You are the main cell block, so they will try their best to keep you under control. I'm your desire to be free, and he is your hope for a steady, yet unique and interesting life. We are what they fear, because we are able to break you out.

"I hope you're ready, love. The box has no windows, and this is going to be a long ride."