Love and Wonder

Seven days until the end. Life has meaning now. I must go out and search for that meaning. To live a life of love and wonder.

I went off with nothing in my hands, catching rides from place to place with people who knew nothing of the end. I could tell them. I could. Would they believe me? What would I cause? I couldn't have that burden on me. But what about this burden? Knowing, but only me.

On the first day, I arrived in the city. As I walked off the bus, I saw people everywhere living their lives like they had plenty of time. All I did was walk. I looked at everyone, listened to music on the street, watching hopefuls wasting their last days on dreams that would never come. At least they found their meaning. I am just now realizing mine. Would I be here if I never got that message? Or would I still be where I was, wasting my days not trying?

I walked for what seemed like hours. Seeing what normal people would never see in their lifetime. I arrived at a hostel with colorful signs on the windows. As I got to my room, I laid in bed, listened to the sounds outside, and fell asleep.

On the second day, I arrived to the ocean. I walked in the sand for hours. Hot to touch under the warm sun, cooled off every minute by waves of the earth. I laid under the beaming rays. Birds flying above me waiting for the next person to give up their food. A red ball bounced off of me. A little girl walking over to retrieve it. I threw it back and she returned it. For what seemed like the longest time, I played with her like I was a kid myself. She soon was called back over by her family. They waved. I waved.

I ran and jumped into the water. Swimming as far as the waves could take me until my arms and legs no longer had the strength. I floated on my back, continuing to stare at the sky above me, with clouds about to cover the remaining blue.

On the third day, I walked in the rain. I ran in the rain. I splashed and kicked in puddles. I kissed in the rain. I loved. We loved.

On the fourth day, we arrived in a small town. We ate, and ate, and ate. We window shopped, bought a few things, took a few things. We danced all night to the stringed instruments playing music in our ears. We ate, danced, and drank until we couldn't eat, dance, or drink anymore. We fell asleep in a field under the sky full of lights.

On the fifth day, he left. I stayed. While exploring the small town, I met a group of strangers. We talked. They asked me what I was doing there. I told them I didn't know. It was good enough for them. They took me to an apple orchard. It was my first time being in one. We filled basket after basket with apples. We sat under the trees eating the apples and fresh apple cider provided for us by the lovely owners of the orchard.

Later that night, we had a bonfire. I had never been to a bonfire. We roasted marshmallows, made s'mores, and drank hot chocolate. It was a peaceful, quiet night with new friends. It was my favorite day of my journey so far.

On the sixth day, I left early. Catching a ride in the front of a truck heading back to the coast. It would be a long trip this time. With the wind in my hair and the smell of autumn in the air, I felt peace. We laughed and sang. We had long conversations about nothing and everything. We ate all the snacks in the world.

On the seventh day, we arrived. As I stepped out of the truck, I knew this is where I was meant to be. I had lived many different lives during this journey. I experienced what many only wish to experience. I met people who I would have never met if I never got that message. I walked out onto the rocks and closed my eyes. I found the meaning. Love and wonder. I lived.

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This was for my first challenge on my old account.