American Down The Rabbit Hole

Sam stood under the tree looking up at a birds nest cradled between branches. The sunlight shown through the leaves like rods of light speckling the cement floor. A calm breeze swayed the branches and gently plucked the turning leaves from their home. Sam inhaled the cool breeze and made note of the sweet aroma that invaded her senses. Her scarf hung loose around her neck and her hair cascaded down the sides of her face. Her rosy cheeks and supple lips were kissed by the crisp air now making its presence.

Sam sighed into her now tighten scarf and shivered into the tree she kept company. It was time to go. Time to go to a place she no longer felt welcomed, she no longer loved, to a place she shared with repugnant people. The day had barely begun and already she dread it all. Sam made her way down the sidewalk. The stores were begining to bustle as the morning rush commenced. Everyone had a place. Everyone doned a smile but how many were happy? Sam pondered her own question and realized she was only speaking of herself.

A black cat runs passed her, tripping Sam and forcing her to land in a bush. A moan gurgled in her throat as pain caused by the dry bush attacked her back and legs. Sam gathered herself and stood up with the strength of a helping hand that held her arm steady. Both embarrassed and grateful, Sam thanked her rescuer and shook off the dirt from her clothes. It was a moment before she realized, she was no longer home.

The buildings and bright lights, the massive amount of people, the sounds of high-schoolers laughing was an onslaught she was not expecting. Sam squinted and rubbed her eyes over and over only to realize, it was real. Somehow she was in another country. Japan to be exact. The foreign language that now filled her ears was welcoming. So much so that tears welled in her eyes. She couldn’t understand how or why it happened but now that it did, she didn’t care. The night was cold but she didn’t matter.

Sam began walking towards a shop she spotted that was selling melon pan. She followed the people while her eyes darted in every which way. Her body, her mind, her heart, everything was bursting with excitement and awe. She stood in front of the shop and queued behind the few people in line. "住みません”(excuse me), she bashfully said. Smiling faces nodded and turned back in their spot.

It was then she realized, she had no money, atleast not the countries currency. Next in line, she stepped out and walked away. She sat on a bench at a nearby park and stayed there staring at the tree that canopied above her. The familiar moon comforted her. A strange man sat next to her and stared at the tree as she did and asked “you’re not from here right? Nor do you know how you got here", his low voice resonated within her. Sam eyed the man before nodding in agreement. He smiled and reached out his hand to her, “take this and buy that melon pan you wanted. You will find a way. You may be lost now but its only temporary.” Sam stared at the money in her hand as her eyes blurred from the tears.

Sam quickly flicked away the tear only to find the man was gone. She desperately looked around but he was no where in sight. It would be impossible to dissappear that quickly in any direction. Now clenching the money she ran back to the shop. The warm bread in her hands spread right her skin. As Sam walked towards the shop door, someone who was walking in held it for her. With a nod to each other and a simple “ありがとうございます(thank you)”, Sam stepped out the shop and into the city. Sunlight assaulted her sight and the surroundings were once again where she lived.

Somehow she returned and all the sadness and depression joined in as well. How desperately she wanted to go back. Sam turned heel and returned to her apartment. By doing so, she would definitely lose her job but now begins a journey of how she will get to where she wants to be. Sam layed in her bed and ate the last piece of melon pan. Her chest tightened, her mind went blank, and cries of despair echoed in her room. What can she do? How can she get there? Why did it all seem so hard? Sam lulled herself to sleep with soft pants and heavy sighs. Dreams of where she had been flooded her mind space. Maybe, just maybe that man was right. Maybe it is temporary.

Desperately looking. Desperately waiting. It was all Sam could do in keeping her head high.