Peace Lily Fae's Final Day

Fingertips. Palm. Arm stretched. It was an invitation to reach out and join them. I hesitated for a moment, the frantic warnings of my neighbors still ringing in my ears. The danger. The death that is swift to follow. But. I ache. And their faces are so kind and inviting.

Sunlight hits my skin for the first time. I stare at it, waiting for the burn. I wait for the itch. I wait for the smoke. And none of it happens. So I take a step into the full sunlight, it’s warmth washing over me in a way that nothing has. I can’t help but close my eyes and take a deep breath feeling freedom.

But then it is snatched away.

Arms wrap around my middle and yank me back to the shadow. My eyes open and I see that inviting hand retreat. Their faces now filled with shock and confusion. I just slump against the trunk of the one who caught me.

He’s whispering how stupid I am, as he drags me back. That I would burn and wither away. His hold is gentle, but unforgiving as he drags me back to the deeper, darker parts of the forest where my kin live and thrive.

The group fusses over me. They gently caress my hand that had been in the sunlight longest. Tutting over the damage. Damage I don’t see. My skin looks fine. A bit red. Maybe. The more I stare at it, the more it itches. But, I pull my arm away from the others, it doesn’t mean the sun was going to harm me. I remember the warmth that washed over me. The way that the world seemed to glow even with my eyes closed.

I feel my eyes close again. Moisture gathers behind my lids and I sag in my spot. Those strong hands hold me from dropping, and someone gives me water. They are all tittering. They are only concerned. I know that. But the concern has always kept me rooted to the spot. Unable to explore the world around me.

But then the world darkens, and I know the sun has left. The moon lights up the woods, and a breeze dances through. As the breeze touches my cheek, I can feel the vestiges of sun in it. And I reach for the breeze even as it slips away.

Quiet settles down around us, as the others begin to wander to their clusters and settle in for the night. I see a few others waken, ready for the nighttime adventures. I normally join them, eager to see more the world through their eyes.

I see one of them reach for me, ready to pull my tall and away. But I slump deeper into the embrace of my friend, turning away from an adventure that doesn’t fill the void.

The whole night he tries to convince me that my place is here in the shadows with him. That I belong with our clusters and in the safety of the boughs overhead. But he’s never understood. He’s needed here, he can do something here. And he can touch the sun. He had reach high up and touch the sun whenever he wants. So he doesn’t know what it is like to be stuck down here. To be unable to feel that whenever he wants. He only says it will be fine, because he doesn’t have to live without it.

And it slips out. At some point the anger and the frustration slips out and his support pulls away from me. He has no arguments. He mutters that he would give me the sun, if he could. And I remind him, that he could do it. All he has to do is move out of my way. I don’t need a lot. I just need enough, I need enough to know what it feels like to dance in the sun and the breeze like the others.

Then I say something. I don’t remember what. It was something harsh. Something unforgiving. And he leaves. And I am alone in the middle of the woods. I am surrounded by others. They may be around me, but they don't’ include me. They don’t understand. They all fear the sun. But I remember.

I remember being new to the world. I remember the breeze pushing away the shade, and the warmth of the sun falling on me. I remember how it didn’t hurt. But because of that moment. Everyone coddles me. They say I had a brush with death. That I am lucky to be alive.

I just can’t take it anymore!

I rush out of the grove. I move faster and faster to the spring where I saw the others dancing in the sunlight. I move to where there are no trees. There is no shade, and when the sun rises; no one can stop me from enjoying it.

The night seems to never end.

And there is no one around.

Fear creeps in on me.

What if they are right? What if I burn?

And I wait.

The sky changes color. Others around me are waking up. A few spot me. But they don’t do anything. Maybe they don't know. Maybe they don’t care.

I can see it.

I see a line of gold on the horizon and it is beautiful. I could weep.

As it grows bigger, I see sunlight light up the world around me. But I am still in the shadow of night. It gets closer and closer.

Panic fills me and I hide behind a rock. The sun has risen fully and I see the warm glow of it, just outside this shade. There is no where else to run. But then I see the others start to dance. I see the dew of the morning reflecting sunlight like gems. I glance at myself to see dew gathered.

Someone spots me and they reach out. I hesitate a moment before I take their hand, my body glistening with dew and morning light, and I join the others in the dance. Joy overwhelms me. Even as my skin itches. Even as the others gasp as I start to burn. But I don’t feel pain. I can only feel warmth and joy.