THE FIRST STEP TOWARD TRUTH

The storm had passed, the city remained broken, but the sky was clearer now. He sat at the edge of a ruined building, the flower from the rain still in his thoughts. He flicked a stone off the ledge, watching it disappear into the wreckage below. His mind repeated the contradiction: If life was truly destructive, why did it persist? He scoffed, hope seemed like another virus, a self-defense mechanism. Survival wasn't proof of purpose, even diseases found ways to live. He stood up abruptly, pushing the thought away. He wasn't going to fall for illusions. Deep inside, something unsettled him as he said...
"If there's meaning, God would've spoken by now."
As he walked on through the ruins, he stumbled upon a lone traveler tending to a wounded bird. The traveler was old, with the eyes full of presence and a presence that felt... steady.
"Why waste time? It'll die anyway." He said indifferently. The unbothered traveler smiled.
"And yet, here it is, still breathing."Searcher crossed his arms. "That doesn't mean anything."
"Doesn't it?" The traveler shrugged.
They sat in silence as the traveler gently helped the bird stand. Searcher watched, something itching inside him, but he refused to name it.
"Do you believe in meaning?" He asked, almost bitterly.
"I believe in questions." The traveler replied, his eyes twinkling.
Searcher rolled his eyes "That's not an answer."
"Then maybe you're asking the wrong question." the traveler chuckled. Searcher's mouth was open to argue- but he stopped. Something about that felt right.
Afraid of being wrong, Searcher held on to his beliefs but the traveler's wisdom planted a seed, even if Searcher refused to accept it. God remained silent, no booming voice, no divine intervention...just small moments challenging Searcher's doubts.

Author's Note

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