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By: Kassy Cevallos
Posted on: August 14, 2022
Cover Image: Father's Hugs
Cover Image by: Kassy Cevallos
Classification: Photography
Year: 2022
Time is the indefinite and continuous flow of events that mark the past, present, and future. It is the one thing that has never changed, yet, means something different to everyone. For some, it is a precious treasure. For others, it is an unwanted burden.
00:15:00
Streaks of light trailed the large rocks as they collided with Earth at full speed. Screams were heard as people scrambled for their lives. Buildings toppled as streets cracked open and shifted apart. It had been one hour since the initial doomsday warning. Only fifteen minutes remained.
She ran as fast as her legs would allow her.
“Come on! Come on, pick up! Please!” She cried to herself.
She needed to know if her father was waiting for her at the bunker. She needed to know he was safe before time ran out. Right now, that's all she wanted. It didn’t matter if she could make it. When the call went to voicemail, she shoved the phone in her pocket.
00:05:00
He poured every ounce of strength remaining into moving forward. Having seen his daughter’s messages, he couldn’t just stand there waiting, not knowing where she was. He spent most of her life working his hardest to give her the life she deserved. But now that everything was ending, it seemed like all his work was not enough. He should have been there to cook her meals, watch her recitals, and tuck her into bed. He had missed it all. Now, he couldn’t give up. He had to find her. His daughter.
00:02:00
It was obvious she wasn’t going to make it to the bunker. Her lungs throbbed and a familiar feeling of acid ran up her throat. She wanted nothing more than to be in the safest place she could think of–her father's arms.
Feeling like she was drowning, she collapsed onto the concrete sobbing. Hearing footsteps quickly approaching, she looked up to see a familiar pair of eyes.
“Dad?” She said weakly.
She shakingly got up and embraced him. He delicately wrapped his arms around her as if she was a fragile piece of glass. There was not enough time for everything that needed to be said, but the hug said it all–thank you, I'm sorry, forgive me, stay with me–but above all else, I love you.
“Everything’s alright. I got you Mimouse.''
Her heart warmed as her childhood nickname left his lips. They cried together, emptying their souls into one another. Nothing else mattered, not even the end of the world. It was like time had stopped just for them. It was their moment in time.
00:00:00
Time is neither fast nor slow. It is constant. Time should be taken for what it is. If it is painful, know there is a lesson to be learned. If it is joyful, cherish it. Every moment is special, but the most important ones make you understand time.
