62

You wake up to your mother's soft singing. You can hear her moving around in the kitchen, probably preparing for her day in the fields.

You blearily open one eye and are met by complete darkness. The sun is not up yet. Seeing as your parents are farmers, it's to be expected.

But you don't have to worry about such things. Not today. Today you can rest. Today is just for you!

It had taken some serious convincing, but you had finally managed to get your parents to let you have this day off. You can do whatever you want! Which, in this little village, doesn't amount to much, but still! You have the option, and you are going to take your newfound freedom and use it to create a glorious day for yourself. Starting by waking up at noon.

You huddle in your bed, wrapping your blanket even tighter around you. Today is going to be perfect, you think sleepily before you are pulled under once more.

The second time you wake up, the sun is shining brightly, filling your room with warmth and light. You lazily stretch, thinking of all the things you might do today.

You get up and put on your clothes slowly, not in a rush. You enter the kitchen, looking for some breakfast when you spot a basket left by the front door.

Frell. Your father has forgotten his lunch again.

He always does this! you think petulantly, already accepting that you'll have to take a brief detour to the fields before you can start your own day. It won't do to have him starving while he works.

As soon as you're ready, you take the basket and go. Golden fields stretch out around you, the wheat swaying like strands of molten gold in the light breeze. The smell of baked earth surrounds you, and the singing of cicadas fills your ears. The warmth of the sun on your skin makes you feel drowsy, and you don't try to shake the effect off.

Next