It had been 862 years since Josiah had seen sunlight and felt the warmth of the rays on his face. They called it “The Day the Sun Disappeared” and it happened just as it sounds. Everyone woke up and the sun was no where to be found. Day after day darkness lingered and wasn’t leaving. It drove some people mad, putting others into a deep depression. Josiah, however, was already all alone.

The moon stayed still showing up every night and went away every morning, but the world had become a deep purple and gray color. Most places were shut down, people stopped caring about themselves and especially others. There were no smiles, no music and most of all no love. Before the sun disappeared, Josiah had been left by his loving fiancé. She wanted to “see the world and go on adventures” but alone. Josiah wasn’t very adventurous. He had a routine and stuck by it meticulously. He had hoped that fateful day, Julie would come running back to him in fear, but she never returned. He received one postcard from Barcelona, “Having the time of my life. Hope you’re doing well! Love, Jules.” That was 2 days before the day.

Every morning after breakfast, Josiah went for a walk through the woods for fresh air. Today he walked for hours contemplating life. He always brought an umbrella with him just in case the sun decided to come back. It would instantly burn his pale skin having adapted to the constant darkness. As he came to the opening, he noticed a thick cloud of magenta smoke, but not just any haze. This smoke had lightning going throughout while swirling up from the ground! It was growing bigger with a sound coming from within that Josiah vaguely remembered.

Thunder.

But what was that? Behind the cloud? It was brighter than anything he had seen in years. Was it fire? Was it the lightning clustered? Or perhaps...no it couldn’t be. Dare he say, the sun? Josiah picked up his pace and trotted towards the thickening cloud. As it arose, it became brighter and louder. He got as close as he could and stared up into the swirling mist of lightning, thunder and light in awe for what seemed like forever when suddenly a voice.

A deep and heavy one from within. “Josiah. Come into the light.” Was this the end? Should he go forward? He couldn’t see the figure. Josiah contemplated this. His days had been consistent, careful and quiet. Until now, he hadn’t done anything daring or dangerous. He thought about Jules and what she would have done. His mind was clear and his decision was made. What could be worse than total darkness and anonymity? He hoisted his umbrella up into the air, lifted his chin up and he trudged into the unknown, ready for whatever waited there.

As he stepped into the cloud, his jaw dropped and his eyes filled with wonder and delight. He was amazed.