Arc.fish

I’d always been interested in rocks. Small ones, big ones, gray rocks, brown rocks… they’ve always fascinated me. Some people might think it’s boring. But not me. I love rocks.

A story about the life of one who spends all their time analyzing rocks. I guess it might sound dull. But then, what have you done with your day? Do you even know how important the work I do is? How happy people are that I collect these rocks?

Sorry… that might have sounded arrogant. In fact, I’m truly grateful that I can bring happiness to people just by looking through rocks. If only life could be like this forever…

I briefly stop thinking about this and turn my attention to the horizon. Looks like a storm is coming. Quickly, I turn my attention away from the rocks on the ground and find an alcove to hide in. This is what I usually do when storms hit – I hide. But I’m never scared.

As I’m stuck until the storm winds down, my mind drifts back to how this adventure began.

I’ve been doing this work for… 14 years now? Has it really been that long? Jeez, time really does fly when you’re having fun. Originally I was only supposed to be doing this for a few months… but I guess once I dedicate myself to something, I don’t know when to quit.

Most of the materials I come across are similar to each other. Your pretty standard rocks and sand. But sometimes, I come across something interesting. Like microscopic remnants indicating there was water here in the past. It could have been a pond. Or maybe even a river – or maybe even an ocean! Sometimes, I imagine what this place looked like in the past. Maybe it was covered with water, which in turn gave rise to vegetation. Maybe this place used to look a lot like my home?

That said, I don’t think there’s any vegetation now. I’ve definitely searched enough, and haven’t seen any. Still, the rocky, barren, winding surface is awe inspiring in its own way. Sometimes I take pictures of the surrounding areas and send them back home. Although it’s strange to call that place ‘home’ considering how much more time I’ve spent in this place. Sometimes I also send selfies, just so they know I’m doing okay.

The storm still hasn’t ended. I consider doing the other thing I do when the storms hit – I sleep, although it is always a dreamless sleep. The reason I’m not scared is because when the storm settles down I will wake up, and then when I come out of hiding and the sun reappears – oh how I love that. Feeling the sun’s warm rays on me fills me with energy. Every second I spend hiding, I long for the storm to end and those warm rays to touch me again. And after basking in the sun, do you know what I’ll do? You guessed it – I’ll analyze even more rocks! Oh, what a joyous existence I’ve been granted.

I know no one will be there to greet me when I wake up. I’m alone here – but that doesn’t mean I’m lonely. There are others like me, sifting through the rocks and dirt, in search for anything which catches our eye as being interesting. They’re so far away from me I’ve never met them, but I know they’re out there. When I imagine them sifting through rocks with just as much spirit and curiosity as me, I’m not lonely.

Although… this storm is lasting a lot longer than I expected. In fact, maybe this has been the longest storm I’ve ever encountered. I huddle closer into the crevasse I’ve chosen as a hiding spot, preparing to get some sleep.

But I’m sure this storm, too, will end eventually. I’m sure. And then the sun will shine again, and I’ll collect more rocks. And everyone will be happy, and proud of me.

I’m having trouble sleeping. Somehow, my sleep is restless. I’ve never been this cold. I’d probably shiver if I could. I keep waking up. My perception of time starts to fade – dear Creator, when will this storm finally end?

Then, quietly, a song starts to drift through my head. I’ve never heard something so beautiful. The soothing melody finally carries me off to a calm sleep. And for the first time, I dream.

A dream where you come to this planet and find me here, and wake me up. And then this planet becomes blue and green again, like I imagine it was in the past. Like home. And many humans live on it happily. So many people, maybe even the whole world, giving me and my friends awards and congratulating me for analyzing rocks for them for all these years. Saying that I lived up to my name, and that I helped them to find a new opportunity here on this planet. And as I drift away, the lyrics fill me and warm my core, and I can’t help but hope those words ring true.

“I’ll be seeing you.”