The Way Home

The trees rustled softly, like a gentle breeze. But the rustling grew louder, the trees creaking and leaves brushing against each other.

Ryoko felt like she was lying on a grassy patch. When she managed to open her heavy eyes, she saw grass waving above her and the sky turning dark. Her arms and legs felt chilly from the strong wind and itchy from the grass brushing against them.

"Caw! Caw!" A crow called out nearby. Startled, Ryoko looked around and saw the tips of her shoes, her school bag, and some familiar trees. She realized she was near the spot where she had been having tea with friend Jhon.

While wondering why she still had her shoes on, she turned her face towards the sky. All she could see in her rounded vision was the dimming sky with a hint of sunset and Jhon's face. He looked worried, maybe a bit angry, yet like he was about to smile or cry. He had been sitting by her side the whole time.

"Ryoko, are you okay?" It was her always-kind Jhon's voice.

"Yeah." Ryoko wanted to ask what had happened, but she couldn't. She remembered a cold tone in Jhon's voice once, and she couldn't bear thinking he might turn scary. So, she forced a smile to look alright.

"I'm glad," he said with a smile, patting her head.

"Did I fall asleep?" Ryoko asked, pretending to be cheerful.

Jhon smiled, but a memory of a crushed lotus flower they saw earlier flashed in her mind.

"Y-Yeah," he replied, looking a bit gloomy, his eyes searching hers.

Trying to lighten the mood, Ryoko jhorked, "Guess I'll get scolded again today."

"Again?"

"Sometimes I get so sleepy and fall asleep in random places, like on a garden stone, inside the barn, or in the bamboo forest. I often sleep till night and get scolded by our family."

"Oh, I see!" Jhon replied, seemingly relieved. The tension faded from him.

Ryoko picked up her bag and said, "I'll head home now. Bye!"

"Goodbye. See you soon." He waved.

She waved back with a big smile and began walking on her usual path home, surrounded by fields, woods, and a few houses, with night almost upon her. As she walked, his words, "See you soon," echoed in her mind. Memories of a crushed lotus flower, a hot sensation on her arm, a strange car, a sudden impact, black boots, and a cold voice saying, "That's how the world is, isn't it?" flashed by.

Yet, she didn't want to believe anything bad. Looking back at the meadow where they sat, she saw nothing unusual. It felt like a weird dream.

Suddenly, the darkness scared her, and she began to run. As she ran, Jhon's "See you soon" echoed in her mind, making her wonder if he might come to make her sleep again someday.