The Big Adventure

"Hey dork, it's 2 in the afternoon. Why are you in a sleeping bag?"

"Nuh-uh, it's a submarine. I call it The Big Adventure."

"Big adventure, huh, in the middle of the basement floor, Darryl?"

"Nope, under the polar ice cap."

"Looking for Russians, I suppose?"

"Nah, they said hello, but I'm after bigger fish--the ghost of Captain Nemo!"

"Which explains the water gun and..."

"Plasma blaster."

"Right. Got it. Whatever. You seen mom or dad today?"

"Nope."

"_Sigh._ You had dinner, squirt?"

"Sea rations."

"You know you're not supposed to eat those granola bars down here. They leave a mess, so just clean it up after, okay."

"Aye-aye, Admiral Baggypants!"

The boy sailed on, a deep and distant journey powered by imagination. Leagues and leagues from an empty house, fathoms below feeling alone or isolated in any way that could hurt. A cold sea held him, welled up mighty surges around him, insulating and numbing.

The boy sailed on and on, deeper and deeper, all within The Big Adventure.