Chapter 1
In the blue yonder,
There was a single rock.
In the blue yonder,
There was a single wave.
In the blue yonder,
The wave crashed on the rock.
In the blue yonder,
The rock reached back.
Crash
One day, the wave spoke to the rock.
One day, the rock spoke back.
Crash
Hello, said the rock.
Hello, said the wave.
Crash
Why do you keep hitting me, said the rock.
I can’t control it, said the wave.
Crash
The rock said nothing.
The wave said nothing.
Crash
What is your name, said the rock.
The wave said nothing.
Crash
How long have you been here, said the rock. I see you often, but we never talk.
I have been here since before the blue yonder was blue, since before you were here, said the wave.
Do you have any family or friends, said the rock.
The world is my family, and you are my friend, said the wave.
The rock smiled.
Crash
When you touch me, I get smaller, said the rock.
I’m sorry, said the wave. I cannot control it, and as long as I talk to you, you will disappear.
It’s okay, said the rock. I will get smaller, but you will get bigger.
The wave said nothing.
Crash
What do you think lies out there, for us, said the rock.
I don’t know, said the wave.
Go on, say more.
Sometimes on my travels, I see more, like you. Pillars of rock that rise above me, and oceans of yellow and green that stop my path. Sometimes, I get hot, and sometimes, I get cold, said the wave.
Do you think, one day, I could come with you, said the rock.
The wave said nothing.
Crash
Look at the sun set, said the rock. It’s beautiful. I wish I could touch it. The way the light shines, the way it bounces off you.
The wave smiled.
Crash
Do you ever get lonely, said the rock.
All the time, I feel like I’m trapped. I have no-one to talk to, because I am the blue yonder, and I am nothing. Nothing can understand me, and I cannot understand them. I feel alone, said the wave.
You are not alone, said the rock. You have me.
And what about you, said the wave. Do you get lonely.
Oh, yes. I cannot move, or travel, or experience new things, I am here. Unmoving. Unchanging. Before you, I was completely alone. I still feel alone, said the rock.
You are not alone, said the wave. You have me.
The rock and the wave smiled.
Crash
Why are you so interested in me, said the wave.
You are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. You are elegant, and full of beauty. You are the things that I could never be, and will never be, said the rock.
No, you are elegant and beautiful, but you are also strong and determined. We are different, but you are the things I cannot be, said the wave.
Thank you, said the rock.
The wave smiled.
Crash
I am afraid, said the rock.
Why, said the wave.
The longer we talk, the more I crumble.
I will stop, for you.
No, never stop. As long as I’m here, we will be here together.
They said nothing.
Crash
What is your happiest memory, said the rock.
I remember, when I was young, I saw something beautiful. I saw the sun get blocked by the moon, and a shadow was cast on me like I had never seen before. It reminded me how quick our light can go out. It has happened since, but it hasn’t stuck with me like it did on that first occasion. I know, one day, I will see it for the last time. And on that day, it will be the same. That same shadow, that same warm hug of darkness and light, confessed the wave.
The rock smiled.
And what is yours, said the wave.
The first time your wave crashed on me, it was like I had woken up. No wave before had hit me the same, and it felt like home. I know, one day, I will feel it for the last time. And then, I will crumble and become dust. But that final crash will be worth it, just to feel you one more time.
The wave smiled.
Crash
I’m sorry, admitted the wave.
What for, questioned the rock.
For hurting you.
You could never hurt me.
It has been years, said the wave, how can you not feel the pain of it? I crash on you every minute, of every day, of every week, of every month, of every year.
I can feel it, I can feel the sharp pain of it, as one more part of me falls away and drifts into the blue yonder. But that doesn’t matter, because every time you crash, we become closer, and your hug drowns out any pain possible.
The wave smiled.
The rock smiled.
Crash
Did you ever have any plans for the future, asked the wave.
You’re asking me the questions now, laughed the rock. I did have some, but they were unrealistic.
Go on, I want to know, said the wave.
I wanted to move, and explore the world. I wanted to go over that horizon, the one I can’t see past.
I will take you there, one day, said the wave.
You cannot, I am getting too old, and I don’t have long left. How could you carry old rubble that far away?
The wave frowned.
Don’t be sad, when I am dust and ashes, I will be with you forever. Wherever you go, I will be also. When I die, take me to the furthest horizon, because I will be with you.
The wave smiled.
Crash
I think I am nearing my end, said the rock.
Then, I will go, and I will never see you again. Because to save you, I will give up everything. I will move across the world, I will run away, I will hide, I will never see the sun or the moon ever again, as long as it means you’re safe. I will rise to the highest heights and sink to the deepest depths, all for you, said the wave.
You don’t understand. I am dying, but I am happy. These years have been the best of my existence. You have shown me a new way of life, of thinking, and if I am to die, I could not be happier that I was with you. Never forget me, because I will never forget you. You are so much more than a wave, or a current, or a sea, or an ocean, or a drop of water, or ice, or steam, or anything else. You are the blue yonder, and I am your rock, said the rock.
They sat in silence.
I love you, said the wave.
I love you, said the rock.
They sat, and smiled together.
Crash
