WISH

When I open my eyes, there's blue grass clenched between my small palms. The ground is cold, but not to the touch. It's a sense of knowing and not feeling. The field smells of dirt and moss and crushed lilies, and the sky is full of stars. No clouds, no blue hue, or moon. There's a sun in the distance, but it's so far away it's the size of a grape.

As I sit up, grains of white sand pool in my lap, spilling over onto the cold dirt like a broken stream. Blue grass sways with a slight breeze, sheltering me in place, so I might find solace in being alone. Forever.

No, that's not right. I'm hiding.

Voices shout in the distance, calling out a word.

No, a name. My name. But I don't understand it. I can't seem to grasp it. The language is foreign, stark and blunt, shifting into languid words that form a haunting melody.

I duck low, lying flat on my stomach as they get closer, approaching step by step. If they find me, I'll be in trouble. If they find me, I'll be hurt all over.

My body trembles. Please, don't catch me.

Slowly, their footsteps disappear in the distance. They walk further away, still searching, still calling my name. For now, I've escaped them. For now, I can breathe easier.

I turn around and start digging a hole until it's big enough to fill it in with sand. I push and push, making sure every last grain is in the hole, then cover it back up with dirt. If I hide the evidence, they won't find me. They won't know I was here.

There has to be some place to hide. I cautiously poke my head up above the blue grass. There are building and structures off in the distance, sculpting in odd twist and turns, floating balls balancing between triangles and squares. To my left and right, the field stretches on and on, never ending, I'd be running forever. I'd tire before I could escape.

When I turn around, behind me, there's a tree. I cock my head to the side, silver hair floats over my shoulder, brushing against the swaying grass. The longer I watch the tree, the more it grows, taller and taller, it stretches further into the starry sky until it suddenly stops. Why stop, when it's the best ladder for escaping?

Without a second thought, I rush through the blue grass, staying low, making sure I'm not spotted just yet. The closer I get, the larger the tree becomes. Its trunk is so large it would take ten of me to hug it.

My feet slow to a stop, responding before my mind comprehends it. The grass seizes, creating an open circle around the tree, and as I approach the edge, I crouch, silently peaking through the blue grass like a predator watching its prey. Though I feel more like a mouse.

Two kids stand by the tree, one with black hair and one with white. They're speaking so softly; I can't make out their words or even their voice. They are nearly identical, the same face, the same set of sparkling eyes. They're even the same height, both with hair that floats just past their chins. Both wonderful and magical. I wonder if they're just like me.

The one with black hair glances over as if they know I'm here. Their mouth falls open slightly, before giving the most radiating smile. It makes me feel safe and warm. It makes me want to touch it, steal it, and make it my own. I don't realize I've stepped out of the grass barrier until the one with white hair is looking at me from head to toe. My body trembles under his scrutiny, just like those who test me, like those who poke me.

White sand bursts from my palms and runs down my legs, and I just melt into the ground, curl into a ball... until a gentle hand runs over my hair.

The one who smiles is so close, their warmth burns and scorches my heart. They speak words I don't understand, but their voice is so entrancing, I'm captivated by their melody, speaking in a rhythm that heals my soul.

They take my hand and finally their words come through.

"What's your name?"