Kip crouches by a crack in the concrete. He sees a tiny green sprout. The cold wind shakes its leaves.
He presses his palm to the warm stone. "Hello," he whispers. The sprout trembles against the chill.
At night, Kip sneaks out with a thimble of water. He pours it at the roots. The city watches silently.
Each night it grows taller. One leaf, then two. The grey walls stand still around him.
Kip hides the sprout inside his coat. He walks past the Warden's tower. The air feels heavy.
The Warden stops and points. Kip freezes. The sprout peeks out from his collar.
Suddenly, the sprout unfurls into a bright yellow flower. Everyone stares. It glows against the grey.
"I forgot," the Warden whispers. "What colour that was." He drops his clipboard. The crowd gasps.
The Warden kneels. He holds the flower up for the children gathered around. The grey city seems lighter.
Kip rests his head against the Warden's shoulder. The yellow flower glows in the grey city. Peace returns.