The Land After Tomorrow (Completed)

Chapter 18: In Thought

Jasmine sat on a green patch of grass watching the construction of their new home. They had arrived about a week ago and had already build the wall around the camp. Its shadow towered over her while she stared up into the sky. The day was calm and for once, peaceful. Birds could be heard chirping in song and the wind held a slight breeze. It was finally beginning to feel like Fall. Her bones could feel it.

We have natural tendencies of animals, for we are them. We have prime instincts such as weather feelings or a slight shiver up your spine if someone is watching you. Animals do it so much better. Why? Animals rely on their instincts to live. I think we as humans rely on our ability to comprehend, to think. Yet, there are some animals out there that are far more intelligent than us humans. Then, how are we the superior species? There are only two things that comes to mind, disposable thumbs, and big brains. Every animal has a talent such as smelling, flying, or seeing. For us humans, we have the ability to think, comprehend, problem solve, remember, and imagine more efficiently and effectively than any other animal.

I am not sure how other animals think, but they do have thoughts and feelings. They have their own talents that we as humans sometimes dream about having. So, in theory, if we dream about those talents, are we superior to other animals or are we superior because we can dream about it?

If I could by anything, I wouldn't be a human. I would choose to be a bird, because I could see the world. I would be free to explore the life around me. I could see everything flying above. I would laugh down at the humans that are stuck down below that live in a life of hatred and revenge.

"Jasmine," her dad called behind her.

She turned her head to face her father, "Yeah?"

"You okay?"

She nodded her head, "Yeah, I'm just thinking."

Ian smiled at his daughter. Her face almost mirroring that of his wife. It opened the stitch that held his pain back up again. A pain drowning him back under water while the rocks of pain sunk him down. It was hard to breath as he fought to swim back to the top pushing away the stones of pain.

"You're thinking about her," Jasmine pitied.

Ian smiled and nodded, "You look just like her."

"I know. You tell me all the time."

Ian sighed, "I guess I do."

He's drowning. I can see it, I can feel it. His face floods with pain and his eyes mourn for my mother. I know I bring back his pain. I see it every time he looks at me. I feel his eyes, searching and waiting for my mother to reappear.

Jasmine stood up staring up into her father's eyes, "I'm sorry."

He smiled down to her. Her hair brushing over her innocent face. The sun slightly shone on her face making it beam with hope. Her eyes sparkled from the light. He pushed her hair aside putting it behind her ear, "For what?"

"Not being her."

Ian's smile faded staring at his beloved daughter. He knelt so that his face aligned with hers. He cupped her head in his hands moving her head down slightly to kiss her on her forehead. "I don't want you to be her, I want you to be my daughter."

"Bet you wish I was."

Ian shook his head, "No, Jasmine. You are my daughter and your momma's. I wouldn't trade you for anyone else. I miss her, I do, but I would never wish for you to be gone."

"Even if you were given the option?" she looked into her father's eyes with tears streaming slowly down her face.

"Even if I was given the option. You're my daughter and no one is going to take that from me." He wiped away the tears along her face smiling into her eyes, "I love you Jasmine."

She smiled back sniffling away her tears, "I love you too."