Vesper

A Story by Noemi

A short about how hidden desires bring us to a different world

The sky before me slowly morphs from a vivid orange to gray, as the unforgiving sun of summer dips behind the horizon. Covered from behind the outline of buildings, what details left of the sky are lost to me. I trudge through the dingy city streets on my way home, the streets creviced and caked with bits of trash and newspapers. Human carcasses littered the area, half-eaten by the plump rats scurrying along the sidewalks. The morose remains remind me of my incompetence as I head home empty-handed; dooming my family to the same routine of starvation as everyone else.

I hit my fishing pole along the sidewalk rails, and cringe as I hear the cling of metal echo across the vacant streets. Why must I work relentlessly every day, just to bear no fruit? to provide for a family that is never satiated? As I continue my trek, the city limits slowly transform into an expanse of brown fields and barren forests. I pass the perpetually dry lands, and eventually, I come to my home. It was a small house held together by duct tape and boards. Laden with the memories of previous generations, each more bleak than the generation before. Except for the lack of windows, our house is the best looking on the street. Most are uninhabited and demolished, with holes in the walls and burn marks running up and down the walls. I walk through my lawn, not bothering to use the driveway.

I look upon the beaten door with disgust. how can I face the grabbing fingers of such ungrateful children? of a wife who only complains? I sigh and sit on the dusty, rusted wash bin at my feet. I don't want to go, so I won't for a while. Instead, I sit and dream of a land that is free, a land I can call my own.

~ Green vines unfurled beneath a solid willow. My surroundings, as euphoric as they made me feel, seemed somewhat lonely. Cherry and willow trees flooded the green valley, an occasional wildflower beginning to bloom. A clear blue sky smiled down at me, wisps of clouds flowing soundly. At the center of the tranquility, there was a koi pond. Or, what used to be a koi pond.

crows inhabited this land too, but these crows loomed a size three times the size of a normal crow, and instead of having a bluish-black hue, these birds were the color of coal. Perched on the lowest branch was a lone crow, eying the reflective water. why, I ask, must the crow watch a lifeless screen? in anticipation of what? Or is it simply the inflated ego of the free? I walk closer to the bird, and upon inspection, realize that there was a new birth of koi, a school of three. This bird, free to roam the clear skies of opportunity, has bogged itself down, waiting patiently for his prey to grow; To snatch some before another.

Those powerful wings of the night, become useless at the animal's stupidity. I looked longingly at the calling sky, wishing desperately to answer her. In an instant, my back became heavy, I flexed and began to rise. I drop my fishing pole, my burdens. Elevated, I soared through the sky, feeling all the while lighter and more nimble. I am a proud and daring one, there are no limits to where I can go, to how I can succeed.

I look down and see the crow become smaller and smaller, I watch him descend the willow, and as he travels further downward; he grows legs, arms, and a torso. I watch his coloring becoming a light tan. I see tufts of feather become hair, and enlightenment brightens his eyes. Eventually, he is a fully-fledged man with a fishing pole; and I, a free spirit.