I Wish Upon A Star

“Hi, Viktor! I didn’t think that I’d see you here!” 

Viktor turned around to see his friend, Uri. “Hey, Uri. What are you doing here?” “My parents told me that I should spend some more time outside, so I came to the ocean. I find it relaxing, unlike some people.”

“It’s not my fault that I have ADHD. But don’t worry, I love the sea too. I also enjoy nature and the beauty of being outdoors.” 

Uri gave what seemed to be a sorrowful smile. “Well, humans today are destroying all of nature. In a few decades, there won’t be any trees to provide shade.” 

Viktor had heard Uri go onto many rants about conserving nature and stopping pollution. “-wish I could show you the effects of climate change and global warming,” Uri finished. “Sorry, what?” Viktor fidgeted. 

“Never mind.” 

The two of them spent the rest of their time sitting and chatting, water rippling gently on the surface of the ocean, sea breeze softly touching their faces, children’s laughter bursting from distance …

Viktor was walking to school when he noticed an abandoned building nestled between two jewelry shops. He made a quick decision and headed inside. When Viktor saw a strange shape huddled in the corner, he had a mental debate in his head. 

Don’t go there, you idiot. A serial killer could jump out and kill you! his rational voice yelled. Curiosity killed the cat, rationality tutted. 

But satisfaction brought it back, recklessness countered. 

Recklessness won, and Viktor decide to venture into the depths of the room.

He looked up to see a machine with a door. Curiosity prompted him to open the door and step inside. 

Dumb move. Dust filled his vision, and he started coughing, intensely. He bent down, hacking. After a few moments, he stopped and looked around. 

It looked like the interior of a plane. He reached out and touched one button. It flickered underneath his touch. The wall of the machine lit up bright blue. Exceedingly frightened, Viktor scrambled to the door and tried to nudge it open. Unfortunately, it was shut tight. Giving up, Viktor slumped onto the floor and covered his head. 

I’m an idiot, he thought. 

When he gathered the courage to open his eyes again, he realized that he wasn’t in the machine. He was outside near the ocean. 

Except… it was different. 

The crystal blue ocean now turned into brownish dark with a stinky smell, there wasn’t even a breeze. All signs of life were gone-no birds, no fish, no plants. 

“What the-” 

Before Viktor had the time to panic, he heard a voice calling. “Hi, Viktor! I didn’t think that I’d see you here!” 

Viktor turned around. “Uri! Thank goodness, what happened? Where am I?” 

With a confused smile, Uri said, “What? We’ve been living here our entire lives. Are you okay?” 

“What happened to all this? Dirty water and no wildlife!”

“The ocean and the earth have been like this since we were born. Viktor, has your ADHD mutated into Alzheimer's? I’m worried…” 

“How did this happen?” Viktor asked, gesturing to his surroundings. 

“We learned this. Climate change and pollution destroyed the earth. Droughts started popping up all over the world, temperatures rose, species died off, severe storms occur more frequently… icebergs melted. Poor polar bears… anyway… It was horrible. I hate how our past generations did nothing to stop it. I guess the funny thing about climate change is, well, people don’t realize that they have to take action before it's too late. 

I can’t believe this, Viktor thought. 

Then, everything went black. 

… 

When he woke again, he was in a soft bed. It was his. 

“He’s alive!” Viktor heard a voice yell. It was Uri. 

“Here, drink some water. I found you in the dark place between the jewelry stores. I think that you passed out from breathing in the dust.” 

Viktor accepted the water. After taking a few sips, he sat up. 

“Woah! Chill…” Uri exclaimed. Viktor hugged Uri, shocking him. 

“Are you okay? Did the dust affect your brain?” Uri’s words were so like the other Uri from the… desolate world, Viktor almost found himself crying. 

“You were right,” Viktor whispered. 

Uri hugged him back. “I wished upon a star that you’d understand. I now hope that others will too.”