The Truest Color of the Sky

The night finally came. We started to deconstruct the pile of home that had grown in our living room over a couple weeks. We are headed to Portebellum, the land of portobello mushrooms and where the sky reveals its truest colors. My eldest sister has wanted to figure out the true color of the sky since she learned it was hidden by the clouds over here, so we each carried all her possessions on our back and started the journey north. 

The role count: Dad, Mom, Big sis, Me, and Lil sis. We started the walk under the night sky. The hours dragged on as the moon made its way across and seemed to follow us. The farther we got from home, the clearer the sky got as if waking from a dream. It was bedazzled with stars that could rival diamonds, but as the night carried on our eyes could no longer be held open by its glamor. We set up camps and slept till the sun greeted us the next morning. 

As we prepared for the full day’s journey ahead, we gathered around to eat dumplings Mother prepared over the campfire,  and talked about what the colors of the sky will be when we get to Portebellum. Lil sis suggested green and effervescent as emeralds. Big sis chimed deep blue as the chilly oceans. We wouldn't know until we got there, so we dismantled our little camp and set off again. 

The sun was blazing hot today and many travelers were on the road, heading to places I could not tell you. We encountered tulip fields that went onto the horizon and rolling golden fields that glowed as the sun set for the day. We walked till the sky turned ink black. Our lights pierced through the thick cloth of darkness and attracted all the small bugs, which was absolutely disgusting. Dad told us to keep our mouths closed so we don’t eat any, but I think there was another aim in that ask. Then we made it to the mountains where the road was winding and curvy. Throughout the night we trekked on and on until I thought we would walk off the edge of the earth. Up ahead, Lil sis shouted “We made it!” It echoed into the night where it was stolen by the silence. As we caught up we all saw the rickety old wooden sign that read “Welcome to Portebellum.” Collectively we all breathed a sigh of relief but realized that we wouldn’t be able to see the true color of the sky until the moon gave way to the sun, so we all tried to tame our excitement and went to sleep.

The next day the light peeled through our eyelids and greeted us with its warmth. We all looked, awe struck by its clarity; it was awash in colors only existent in dreams.