Changing

Thinking - 3

The ground quickly changed from the short, yellowing grass of the orphanage's front yard to the tall wheat plants that had been crushed into a path by the pounding of my feet speeding along it day by day. Soon I was out of sight of my personal hell-hole but still I ran. I love to run, especially in the mornings. The cool air caressing my face while it whips back my hair. I felt so detached, so free from the orphanage that I am forced to call my home.

Though in all honesty, it is most definitely not my home, never has, and as long as I'm concerned, it never will be. I've always dreamed that someone would come down the long dusty road and skip over Jewel and all of the other stupid girls who would undoubtedly be putting on the oh-I'm-so-perfect-and-cute-take-me-home charm, and choose me to be the one as their adopted child. If that ever did happen, I'd really hope that they would take Thalia too because even now we are practically sisters and I don't think I could stand leaving her in the horrid place.

But I gave up on that silly kind of dream a long time ago, because the only time the road is ever used is Ms. McMary going into the town a few miles away for one thing or another. Sure, there's still hope, but a dream? No, there's no point in dreaming of it. Once I swear I heard a wise old man say, "It does not do to dwell on dreams; and forget to live..." but don't bother asking me where or from whom I heard it from because I honestly have no idea.

My eyes came into focus and I realized I had slowed to a walk during my contemplation. It was a good thing that I gone to the castle so many times for my feet had been unconsciously moving that way. It was a rather long way to get there though. By the time the it came into view, it was rather warm. I stopped for a moment to just admire the beauty of it.

I always had the sense that there were many living things inside. Stronger than whatever insects where sure to reside inside. It's a silly thought of course...but what if it was a habitat for aliens? Of course, that would be an insane idea, but if there really are and I live to tell someone, at least I can somewhat say "I told you so". There might be homeless people living in the shelter of the castle, but I have no idea what they would be eating to survive. Or there might be a caretaker that lives there and has a car to go into the village. Though I have never seen tire marks...and who would be paying him? The only thing it would explain is why the green grass is so perfect on the hill of the castle.

I look down and there is the lake. It's huge and absolutely gorgeous. Once I swear I saw a huge tentacle float in the water. I usually come here in the summer, but today is September 2nd, and I decided today because it is a new month, and it's the weekend so no chores to hold me back at all.

I have a hidden canoe near the lake, so I take it and the paddle out of secret spot. I had been collecting wood and building materials for a very long time, and I had made a very shabby canoe eventually, though I was sure it would sink after a short amount of time. That was before I hid it. Then one day I came down here and found it like it was built by a professional! It was quite the shock. I have no idea who fixed it, and although I am grateful, I decided to keep it hidden thenceforth incase that same person or someone else thought that they would like to steal it.

I lightly pushed it into the water and then climbed in myself with my paddle. I slowly paddled my way across the lake enjoy the sun and finding shapes in the clouds. Today was a good day to explore.