Sally and Riley spent most of their time outside now. The weather was getting better day after day. They'd pack up lunch and take it down to the garden. There they would sit beside their little white flower and eat. Sometimes they would do what Sally liked to think of as flower hunting. Behind rocks and under piles of dead leaves they would search for any sign of life.
The girls were often unable to find anything. That would leave Sally feeling a tiny bit disheartened. But on the rare occasion that they were able to find a small bud or berry that had made it through the cold, it would leave Sally feeling happy for the rest of the day. It was worth all the work and the disappointment of the failed attempts.
Sally decided that a professional flower hunter should be a real job. If it was, she and Riley would without a doubt be the best at it. This strange new place lacked many of the things that Sally had come to expect. It had no white sandy beaches anywhere to be seen. The food was always slimy and gross and made Sally want to throw up. The house was dusty and tiny and dull. But there were a handful of things that Sally had here that she didn't have in her old life.
For one thing, she had Riley. She could spend as much time with Riley as she liked. She also had Lisa and Lisa was always very nice to her. Sally hadn't known the joys of flower hunting in her old life. None of her old houses had had fireplaces so there was that. As time went on, Sally discovered more new things to enjoy.
The house went from feeling dull and cramped to feeling cozy and safe. The food went from tasting plain to feeling filling and satisfying. But Sally did miss her old garden. There had been so much life and color and beauty in it. Here, she had a view of a dying city and a handful of little flowers. She still loved those tiny, stubborn flowers that had made it through the freeze.
A delighted squeal rose up from Riley and pulled Sally out of her thoughts. Now Riley was gesturing to something on the ground. Could it be? Heart pounding, Sally peered over her sister’s shoulder. It was! There, lying small and bright and surrounded by mud and dirt was a brand-new flower. This one was by far the smallest that Sally had ever seen. It was no taller than her pinky finger.
It was a bright red color and stood out sharply in the dull world. Beautiful, but tiny. Riley’s eyes were glowing now. Sally beamed at her sister as Riley began happily saying a bunch of things that Sally couldn’t understand. For now, this would be Sally’s favorite flower. Sally just sat there for a moment, savoring the feeling of excitement that filled her.
Riley was already looking for the next flower. Could you give flowers names? Was that okay? Sally had given lots of her toys names. But she didn’t have any toys here. If she did name this little red flower, what would she name it? Her small fingers began to trace out several possibilities in the mud.
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Just then, Lisa’s voice came echoing down the hill. A hint of sorrow tainted Sally’s happiness. She looked up as Lisa entered the garden. How long would it be before Lisa came back? Sally sighed as she got to her feet. Riley was happily talking to Lisa and pointing to the flower. None of this was fair. Why couldn’t Lisa stay with her?
Sally turned back to her flower, in an attempt to cheer herself up. She and Riley had never been left alone with the lady. She had constantly been there for Sally. But then she tore me apart for trying to help my sister escape, Sally reminded herself. So why, why did she still miss that lady? She had betrayed the trust that Sally had had for her. She nearly killed Sally. If Riley hadn’t come back for her, who knows what would have happened.
Sally felt a hand on her shoulder. Lisa’s hand. She was whispering something soft and gentle to Sally now. The child swallowed the lump that was rising up in her throat. She needed to be strong for Lisa and for her sister. Sally was pulled into a tight group hug. She took a minute to close her eyes and relax.
She enjoyed the brief but sweet moment of togetherness before Lisa left. She watched as Lisa’s figure grew fainter and fainter. She hated that she missed her old life. But that didn’t change how she felt. Sally’s heart sank deeper and deeper in her chest as memories of her training filled her mind once more.
“Are you sure?” Sally demanded. “I keep trying! But I don’t think I can actually create it!” Tears ran down her cheeks as she shouted at the lady. The lady remained calm, a controlled smile on her face. “I’ve worked hard! I’ve done my best! I can’t do this! No matter how hard I try!”
“Shhh, listen to me. You can. Maybe you just aren’t old enough. But your training must continue. The older you get, the easier things will become.”
“B-but nothing has gotten easier. Are you sure your research is right?” Sally asked.
“I am! I have spent my whole life studying the differences between humans and Formas.” A note of anger had entered the lady’s voice.
“I haven’t seen any progress. I wouldn’t mind if I had seen some. But there’s a huge difference between a little bit of progress and no progress ever. I can shift and shape the sand, that’s it. That’s all I’ve ever been able to do. It sounds crazy, being able to actually change things. I know Formas can do it… but still!”
“I think you need to calm down. Just take a few deep breaths.” The lady softened her voice. Sally obeyed as the lady pulled her into a tight hug. A gasp escaped Sally. She had never been hugged before. In fact, she had been told very strictly on numerous occasions to never hug the lady. “I know it’s hard. But you have to keep going, Sally. This really is for your own good,” the lady whispered. She took hold of Sally’s hand. “Listen to me when I say I want what is best for you. I know what I’m doing, and I would never, ever do anything to hurt you.”