The Return

"No one will ever find me," shouted the boy as he strormed out of his parents home, forcefully shutting the door behind him. The leaves had begun to change. Shades of orange, red, and yellow decorated the pavement as the boy stomped down the sidewalk, tears blurring his vision. His bag was light. He had packed in a hurry. A blanket filled with comic books, a flashlight, 3 pairs of socks, 1 pair of pants, 2 packs of sour patch kids, a Swiss Army knife given to him by his grandfather, 2 t-shirts, and a stone he had found on the beach when he was 5. "I should have grabbed my hat," he thought angrily to himself as the October wind nipped at his ears. His incessant steps had taken him to the edge of the road and to the beginning of a path leading him into the nearby forest. He had spent many summers exploring these woods. He knew them well. As he entered the smell of damp earth filled his nostrils. The sun had begun to set, fading rays of light shone through the spaces where leaves once stood. The setting sun did not concern the boy, as he knew his destination. A cave he had visited often in times of distress. He made his way purposefully towards the cave, his step softened slightly, seemingly soothed by the forgiving soil. He had, had enough. Enough of being told what to do and who to be. Enough of his father's drinking, and his mother's ignorance. Enough of a society that cared more how they appeared to others than how they felt inside.

He arrived at the cave just as the days last light fell upon the entrance. A peace settled over him know as he removed his flashlight and walked into the darkness. He made his way to the back of the cave arranging his belongings around him in an organized fashion. Pulling out "The Flash" he leaned back against the wall of the cave. Only he never made it to the wall. His lean turned to a fall as he tumbled backward, passing through the space where the wall should have been. He found himself tumbling down a damp corridor, descending into darkness at an ever increasing speed. His yells echoed as his body awkwardly bounced across the smooth stone. The thought of death covered his mind like a dark cloud but before it could rain into his heart, he was launched out into a vast opening.

Smell was the first sense to return. Grass he recognized but it was different. Richer, fuller, more alive. Opening his eyes he blinked several times before he could adjust to the scene that surrounded him. Bright green grass covered the ground, glowing and moving despite the lack of a breeze. A stream of clear water filled with orbs of white light ran gently through the field. As his eyes shifted up, he noticed the sky. A deep indigo, oscillating with shades of pink and electric blue. White and golden orbs floated about, drifting slowly upward.

As the boy cautiously sat up he noticed a gathering of golden orbs to his left. He felt a strange pulling in his chest to move in this direction. Unsure if he would be able to stand, he slowly pushed his body off the ground. To his surprise he felt no pain. He glided over to the orbs, the feeling growing stronger with each step. As he drew near he noticed that the orbs were surrounding a figure. He could not discern what it was as the illuminating light all but blocked out whatever stood behind the light. He drew closer, now standing 10 paces away when the orbs suddenly dispersed. There stood a woman. Or at least it looked like a woman but unlike any woman he had seen. She was green. Her skin glowing the same color as the grass, eyes penetrating emeralds. Her long hair was a deep green, like fresh seaweed waving in the sea. She smiled at the boy and reached out her hand, beckoning him to come closer. The feeling in his heart had now spread to every cell in his body, a pulsating vibration oscillating between utter ecstasy and complete terror. His feet moved without his minds consent until he stood a few feet in front of the woman. Her radiance was blinding, like staring at the sun. Taking a step forward she reached out and took the boy's hand. With a smile she sang "Welcome home my son."