The Year of the Flood

Adam One remembers the Gardeners’ time on the Edencliff Rooftop, “a space of restoration and renewal, flourishing with innocent Plants and industrious Bees” (485). He reminds everyone that on this day they commemorate Saint Terry Fox, a man who embarked on a run across Canada with an amputated leg to raise awareness about cancer research, and abolitionist Sojourner Truth, “who walked so many miles with only the stars to guide her” (485).

Adam One emphasizes that all the saints of this day are travelers, and they are examples for the Gardeners. He then mentions everyone who is not able to continue the journey with them: Darren and Quill, who wished to stay behind because they carried the deadly virus; Philo, who “entered a Fallow state” (486) and wanted to stay on the Edencliff Rooftop; and Melissa, who was attacked by a pack of wild dogs.

Adam One encourages everyone to put light around these people in their hearts and to sing “The Longest Mile.” The hymn calls for optimism and faith while on a long journey and serves as encouragement to “race on” (487).