The Walk on The Star Road

Dreaming

It had been a while—my first time back among the stars. But I was alone, by choice. I didn’t want the usual companions who walked these celestial paths with me. I didn’t want to talk to them or see them. I just wanted solitude.

As I walked along the star road—at least, that’s what I call it—I gazed at the vastness of space. Any other time, I would have been in awe. But not this time. This time, my mood was anything but light.

A bench appeared ahead, and I sat down, staring out at the galaxy. My eyes filled with tears. My mind swirled with thoughts, most of them dark.

“You know you are always welcome here,” a voice said.

I didn’t answer. I didn’t want to speak.

“Will nothing bring you comfort?” the voice asked gently. “Will you always be angry and sad? Will you always think the worst of everything, including yourself?”

Still, I remained silent.

The truth was, I had nothing to say. A part of me—the quiet voice deep inside—whispered that things weren’t as hopeless as they seemed, that good things were coming. However, I ignored it. I had long since learned to shut that voice out, slamming the door on its cheer and hope. I didn’t want its optimism as I couldn’t see a future for myself.

“My child, please trust me,” the voice pleaded.

The tears started to slide down my cheeks. I stood up from the bench and turned back to the star road, making my way toward the Staircase of Stars—the path that would lead me back to Earth.

But then I hesitated.

If I took the staircase, I might see them—those I wanted to avoid—ascending toward the stars. I didn't want to see them. So, instead, I chose the Back Road of Stars, a longer path that wound around Mars before reaching Earth.

I always take the hard way.

The journey was long, but eventually, I returned to Earth, feeling myself waking up.

Would I come back? Would I ever climb the Staircase of Stars again?

I didn’t know.

And then, I woke up.