Sergio's Flowers

~1~

Reds, yellows, magentas. The colors seem to cascade into a kaleidoscope. I breath in the smell of flowers, and once again wonder how I could be away from them for 6 months. Running my hand over the walls of flowers,  I continue to wander through the Gardens. I bring my hand to my face and smell the yellow sapy pollen. Instantly I sneeze and rub my nose. I trail my hand back to my side, careful to keep my uniform crisp. A single tear slips from my eye, falling to the dusty ground. Back on the aircraft the other soldiers talked of what they would do when they got home. Most were going to parties or visiting the loved ones they left behind. Not me. I knew immediately my mothers gardens was my destination.

My mother. I vaguely remember her. The only lucid memory I have of her is in these gardens. The King had just yelled at me and was crying. She led me out to her favorite part of the Gardens. She showed me how to focus your eyes in and out, letting the flowers come in and out of focus. I think of that now as I stare and the roses. An exasperated sigh escapes my lips, but I still make my way deeper into the Gardens, following the meandering maze. I travel inwards, seeking the azaleas. Those were always her favorite.

I lightly jog down the path, through the archways, and past the fountains. Alas I see the gentle pink mixed with white. The smell fills me with satisfaction. My eyes trail over the landscape, recalling the days I spent here. This was my childhood. Where I had my meals, my studies. Where I played as a careless kid, never knowing the future I would have.

I look intensely at the colors, trying to soak it all up. White, and pink, and green, and brown? My gaze darts to the brown headed girl. She shouldn't be here. This is wrong. I stand stark still. No longer relaxed, no longer at peace. Instead I tense. I cross to where she is sitting looking down at her the entire time. She doesn't move an inch. Does she even know I'm here watching her?

"Excuse me, do you know where you are?" I don't ask a question, just putting her in her place.

She ignores me and turns the page of the book I didn't notice she had. I silently curse myself for not noticing that while she reads on. "No."

I don't understand why she is so calm. Most people are terrified of Officers. I clear my throat and she looks up at me. Her eyes are so green that they look eerily inhuman. She notices my stare and those emeralds look me head to toe. This gesture brings me back to the present. I place my hand on my gun hoping to get a slight waver out of her. I turn my voice to an authoritative tone, "Well you shouldn't be this close to the Palace. No one is allowed here unless otherwise authorized. It's not a public section."

She nods and looks back at her book. The girl closes it and stands up. She steps away from the bench she was on and walks away. She looks around and walks slowly by the flower walls, admiring their beauty. She doesn't leave. She continues to wander.

"What are you doing?!" I yell. Se doesn't even jump, just keeps walking. She gets to the path that leads away from this part of the gardens and whips her head back around.

"Well Sir, I'm adventuring." She flashes a smile then disappears around the bend. I stand there open mouthed unsure of what to do. She had a book. How did she have one? As far as I know the only books left in Utopia are in the Palace of Bliss. I should've taken her to the palace and had the King deal with her, yet something about her attitude kept me frozen. It's too late now to tell the King, I would only be punished for letting her go. That was a stupid move on my part, but I decide to keep it a secret. I would only get in more trouble then her.

I take out my phone and note the time. I need to head back to the palace and meet with my father. I look towards where the girl went for the briefest of seconds before continuing to the palace. Along the way through the winding path I pick a bouquet for the Queen. She loves the Gardens but rarely gets to come out to them. The King hardly allows it. I come to the end and see the all to apparent exit of the Gardens. A perfect arch way of daisies in every color. Taking in a deep breath of these gardens, the gardens I may not see for days, I begin to leave them. Before walking through the archway, I glance back, hoping to catch a glance at the girl with the emerald eyes. I shake away the thoughts of her, forcing my eyes to advert.