The canoe was where they had left it, above the water.

Together, they turned it toward the sea.

Wind put the packs in the canoe.

“Can you paddle first?” she asked. “I'm worn out.”

“Yes.”

They pushed the canoe into the water together.

Sophie climbed in. Wind followed.

The water around them turned amber-yellow, the color of the butterflies. For a moment, the canoe and the two children caught the sunlight and shone bright like a star.

They glided forward.

And merged with the horizon.

THE END