The Escape from Cali

The world was in 2100. Flames covered the planet, and millions had perished, trying to escape from the cycle of death and rebirth. A young boy and his mother were trapped on an island called Cali, as the boiling water climbed higher and higher.

“Mom?” the boy said. “Where are you?” He searched his backyard for his mother.

“Here, gathering plants,” his mom replied. “Where are you?”

“At the cliff,” the boy responded. “When will we be able to leave this place?” He paced around and tried to see how far the water had climbed.

“Soon.” His mom finished scavenging for healing herbs and remedies for a first aid kit. “Let me get some food too,” she said as she followed a path back to the cliff. Their house was on one of the only cliffs on the island, and it was surrounded by forests. They planted rare healing plants in the soil and prepared to leave at any moment. The mom arrived at their house, and she opened the door.

“Son?”

“Here,” the boy called from across the room. “It seems like the water is rising again.” His bedroom was small and the size of a truck’s inside. The living room contained a light bulb, almost out of energy, and a dining table. Every year, the boy and his mom inspected the water level and the island’s height. They did not have much time left.

“Well, no time to waste.” The mom grabbed her son and brought him to a plane.

“Boarding,” said the pilot.

“Mom, where are we going?” asked the boy. “The only other place is Europ, and they barely have any land left.”

“Well, since the water keeps rising, we have no other choice but to go there,” the mom said. She stepped on the plane and strapped her seat belt. “Come on.” The boy sat down and got ready for the flight.

“Where to, ma’am?” the pilot asked.

“Europ, please.”

“That will be around thirty-three hundred euros — sorry, about $3767 for, in your currency,” the pilot calculated.

“Yes,” the mother said as she grabbed her purse. “Let’s go.”