Sunset

by John R. Mabry, 9th grade

"The sun always goes down."

"I dont' believe you." Mr. [Greek word for unbeliever] said through his teeth. The sky began to turn bright orange.

"I told you," Mr. [Greek for Christian] said to another, "I told you he'd be stubborn."

Mr. [Unbeliever] stuck out his jaw in annoyance. "Stop talking to yourself, [Chrsitian]. You've been after me since daybreak for this, now knock it off!"

"But [Unbeliever]--"

"Shut up!"

The sky became deep red, the wind chilled slowly.

"Look at the warning signs, [Unbeliever]!"

"Nonsense, they're just...just..."

"Coincidence?"

"No! It's ..."

The wind whispered softly--truth. But [Unbeliever] didn't hear.

"The sun always goes down."

"No."

"It has before."

"Prove it."

He can't, a cold wind said in their ears.

"It's inevitable," [Christian] said ominously, "Just listen to me!"

The last yellow ray sunk behind the horizon.

"Somewhere else, it is dawn."

"But you are here, not there."

"Let me--"

"No. Sush, listen to THIS now, [Christian]."

The sound of the breeze spoke unintelligably, trees rustled, the orchestra of color continued to fade.

"Don't listen to NOW, now won't always be!"

Clouds lit deep violet."

"Come."

The breezes whispered.

"No."

"Listen."

[Christian] wet his lips.

"No."

The last ray of red dissolved. "There's no moon, not this time."

"So what?"

"Listen."

"No."

"Listen."

"No."

The last ray of light winked out. There was no reply. [Unbeliever] sighted into the darkness. His eyes reflected only black velvet, the starless sky. A breeze was missing. Somewhere he heard a rumbling. Somewhere it was daybreak.