FSG_a1290

“There must be more to life than this!”

The whole island looked bleak: the sky was colourless, as if it was so idle it couldn’t make the necessary to turn even grey; the sea failed to wear its typical deep blue colour, but insisted on being a dull grey that was even more pathetic than the sky. It was... it was effortless. The landscape was dull (an understatement); the residents were bored. The wandered around the island aimlessly, with nothing to do, staring into space as if they were blind.

There was nothing.

I can still recall our meeting at the hills: the whole island gathered around the fire, the flames tongues licking their solemn faces.

Theo, the youngest (excluding the children), stands, and then strangest...

He eyes everyone staring at him. “What are we going to do about the sea? Wait for it to come and swallow us alive? There’s no more land to travel too. Nothing! We have to move!”

“Julia!” My mother’s harsh voice jolts me back to reality like a bucket of icy water. “Lunch!”

I glare at her “I did it yesterday and I-”

“Now!”

//Fine.//

Reluctantly, as I reach up for a pan, a piece of paper flutters down to the floor. I study it. It’s my Grandmother’s diary entry. Her lost diary.

“Mum!” I screech.

She rushes into the kitchen “What now?”

“I found a diary entry, it’s Grandma’s.”

“Just wonderful,” ahe says, her voice oozing sarcasm.

“I-it says not all the survivors left London.”

She sighs: “I’ve got to sort your brother out.”

“We have to go.”

“Never it’s just another crazy scheme you’ve got from all your day dreaming.” Her eyes flash anger and her voice screams ‘no’.

I know who I’ll tell. Theo.

“Look” I say, shoving the piece of paper at him. Theo just stares at me in utter awe.

“What just us?”

“We have to go!” I scream “We’ll come back and get the others when we find it”.

“We’ll use the boat” he smiles, his face already alight with excitement “Our lives were already wrecked by the floods. They’ll have computers- like you heard your mum talk about.”

It’s night. I creep over the roof tops like a spider out of its web, leaving everything I’ve ever known. My ancient rucksack sags from the weight of the cupboard load of food which I stuffed inside. A bundle of clothes is tucked under my arm. I turn ang face my house. Goodbye.

Theo is waiting by the boat, his smile electric with enthusiasm. Silently, I load my few belongings on to the worn fishing boat. I turn for the final time and look at the only place I have ever known. Then I turn to his shining face.

“Which way will we go?”

Home.