With a rustle of leaves, a mild wind swept through the newly green trees covering the mountainous area around the valley containing the city Salemo. Spring had just arrived and the whole area radiated peace in its simple beauty. Tall peaks rose higher than the eye could see into the cloud-dotted air. Further down the mountains lived animals of all sorts, an eco-system brimming with life. Anywhere from edge to edge of the valley, you could relax for a moment in the protective shade of those mountains.
Around the city, there could be seen any number of different people, going about their work, planting and preparing for summer on the farms. Along the ramparts of the walls patrolled the city guards, each equipped with weapons and instructions for raising alarm, watching for any sign of the bandits who snuck around the mountains. Near the gates, two guards checked everyone coming or leaving the city.
Just inside, a feeling of order washes over people as they see the orderly streets and relatively welcoming and friendly city folk. Down one street were the food shops, the butchers and the bakers, sweet and tasty aromas wafting out their doors, enticing people to come inside and buy something. The clanging of anvils and hammers ring down another street on which reside the blacksmiths, the silver-and-goldsmiths, and the metalworkers. The third street contains the inns and the houses of other people who work or live in the city. On the last of the main streets are the political and government buildings, the city hall, the library, the jail, and the academy and schools. During the afternoon, the laughter of playing children and normal sounds of life rise throughout the entire city.
It is not perfect, though, and that is exactly how it is kept. Occasionally, the deep sounds of the church bells toll out, mourning the loss of someone's life. Rarely does the city go a few months without a small-scale attack, yet people still rejoice for the brief moments of peace they have. The people of the city are content to live as they do, and are content with most things, yet they have one thing ingrained in them from childhood: fear of a utopia.
"That'll be 7 coppers, Ms. Kalens."
"Alright, here you go, and thank you! This looks wonderful!"
"No, thank you. Have a nice day now!"
"I hope you find your daughter soon. See you around."
I cannot imagine what they're going through. If someone kidnapped Jake, I'd be hysterical. They are really getting along well with the grief though. But boy oh boy...
I walk a ways down the street, looking around at all the delicious looking food on display there. I turn down a lane leading through Salemo to the last street. Hurrying down toward the elementary school, I catch a sight of my reflection in one of the tall windows of the city hall. My hair is slightly messed up from the light breeze, but nothing is seriously out of place. I shake myself out of it and continue toward the school. Classes are just getting out when I get there. Now, let's see, where's Jake?
"Momma!" Someone calls from my right. I turn and practically fall over from the speedy bundle that just attached himself to my abdomen.
"Hi, Momma! Hey, is that for me? Huh? Is it? Is it?" He asks excitedly.
"Yes, Jake, this is for you, but we can't eat until we get home." I say, amused.
"Then let's go home!" He pulls on my hand, but I laughingly pull him back.
"We'll leave in just a few minutes, but I have to find your teacher first." I look over the small crowd of parents picking up their kids, and the excited kids running around and planning what to do now that school was over, and locate Jake's teacher, Mrs. Dourle. I maneuver over to her. "Hello, Betsy. I just wanted you to know how much all of us appreciate you doing this for the kids. After Mr. Frand fell ill, nobody knew who would take over for the last month. Just, thanks for going to all the trouble. I know kids this age can be pretty wild."
"No, no, no trouble at all, Ellen," she assures me. "They have been wonderful, especially Jake here. He has shown some very great intelligence for a five-year-old. He can read very well for his age, and can even write some things. He is coming along very well."
"Oh, he just loves learning all he can. I was naturally curious and eager for information when I was young also."
"I see. Well, I hope to see him again next fall. Good-bye Ellen, bye Jake, have a nice summer!" She voices.
"Bye Mrs. Dourle!" Jake chimes in cutely. He starts pulling on my hand again once his teacher leaves, and I finally let myself be pulled toward the street. As we walk down, he points out new things and asks about everything he doesn't know about. He is a curious little one, isn't he? Just like I was. Just like I am.
Back then, about ten years ago, I remember being obsessed with the most random things. What can I say? I was fifteen. Anyways, I was always asking about everything, trying to find out whatever I could about everything. I went through phases about buildings, my neighbors, what was really in the school food, and anything else secretive. My last obsession, though, was much more serious. In fact, I haven't given up researching it, though the random interviews and stalking important people phase has died off. What is this thing that has intrigued me so? The city of Omelas. Even with my skills at finding out things, I have just barely scratched the surface of a secret I believe is greater than any I have encountered so far. All I know is that somehow, all our ancestors and the new people who show up are from there, but no one who knows anything would tell me back then, and it hasn't changed. Everyone just goes quiet and gets a sad, almost guilty look in their eyes. It must be something huge, and I plan to find out one day.
"-ma, Momma!" I start out of my thoughts and see Jake tugging on my shirt. "Momma, you gotta open the door."
"Huh? Oh, we're home, sorry." I pull out my keys and open the door. Jake runs inside, straight to the kitchen. He quickly pulls out two plates, two forks, and a knife, and sets them on the table. He then proceeds to sit down and stare at me, as I take my shoes off and, quietly laughing, enter the kitchen. He's so funny, sometimes. I take the cake out of the box and set it on the table. Taking the knife, I cut out a big piece for Jake and another for me. I can see his eyes follow the cake the whole time. Trying to hide a smile, I set his in front of him. He digs in and soon there is frosting all around his mouth. I can't hold it in anymore. I burst out giggling, and he doesn't even look up from his cake. Hehe, I should remember to bring home cake more often. He's rarely this quiet. Oh, he's done. And he wants more. I shake my head slightly, but give him another small piece.
"You know you're going to have a stomach ache in the morning?" I ask, my eyebrows slightly raised. He just grins insolently and keeps eating. "So, Jake, what do you want to do this summer? I know last time we camped on the mountain, and before that, we went fishing. Do you want to do either of those again?"
"No. Uh, Momma, can we go outside the mountains? Danny's family went out once. He said it was really cool. Can we, can we, can we? Please?"
"Well, I guess we could. I myself haven't been out since I was about your age. Why not? We can leave in a few days, and make it a whole-summer trip! We can visit all the places around and maybe even visit the sea. Won't that be exciting? This is a great idea, Jake!"
"Yeah! I'm gonna go pack now! Thanks Momma!" He runs up the stairs, eager to start packing. Now, let's see, I have to notify the neighbors, the mail carrier, hmm, who else? There is so much to be done beforehand, but this really is a good idea. And maybe on the way, we could find out a little more about this Omelas.
"Sir, do you really think it's a good idea to let them out alone? What if they get in trouble? You should know best of all that it can be very dangerous out there by yourself."
"Don't worry. Our ancestors survived to come here and build our beautiful city, and Ellen Kalens and her son won't have any trouble. She can take care of herself," the mayor replied to his advisor.
"In any case, we should give them an escort out of the mountains just to get them out of bandit territory."
"So be it. Arrange a small escort. We cannot spare more than a few guards. It's prime season for raiding cities, and they'll be safer if they're smaller."
"I'll get right on it, sir."
"Well, this is where we leave you, Ms. Kalens." The guard says.
"Alright. Thank you for the help." I say.
"No problem. You be careful now. Have a nice vacation.'
"Thanks. We'll be back near the end of the summer. Bye!" The guards tipped their hats to us and Jake and I waved at them as they turned their horses around and went back to Salemo.
"Well, Jake, what do you say? Shall we start?" I ask playfully.
"Yeah!" He bounces up and down in the saddle of his pony.
"Ok, let's go!"
Over the last months, Jake and I have been through many experiences, strange and great all. We survived nature together. We set up a nightly routine. We would set up camp, tie up the horses, build a fire, lay out the blankets, and make supper. That consisted of bread or any grains we had brought or bought recently, dried fruit, and any vegetables scavenged. It was actually rather tasty, and every once in a while we would find someone with sweets or find some bush or tree with fresh fruit on it. After supper, I would clean up and then Jake would crawl into my lap. Telling him stories, I would rock him to sleep. Then I would lay down near him and fall asleep myself, the aroma of wood smoke lulling me to unconsciousness, the light sounds of nature my lullaby.
Now we are at the end of our journey. Jake and I stand before massive gates, the entrance to a city. A city called Omelas.
