Canaan wanted freedom, in a way it is what he had always wanted. He had watched those around him die, destroyed in the great deluge - friends who he had run alongside as a child, friends who had seen him through his saddest times and those who had given him his happiest. What had been their crime? What had they possibly done that had made them such an abomination to God? He looked at his hand, what had he done, what made him so special, to be spared. To be the son of Noah, that was worth nothing, not worth more than the life of his friends.

A light sigh escaped him; he looked out over the torrential storm. The rain still pounded the Earth. All of firmament poured down upon the waves. Canaan hated this, he hated the privilege. Was a man’s worth only determined by God, did he himself not make his own destiny, decide his own path, make himself worth something? He looked skyward, rain drenching his face. He looked at the ark, he frowned, and he scowled. What was he but a pawn?

Placing a hand on the rail, he swung himself over and felt the rush of cold water envelop him. Water swirled around him. His body tossed and turned, it was cold. Canaan saw nothing, only the dark. Everything was ice, there was only feeling, only touch. Then, the water became like daylight. Rahab appeared before him, eyed him carefully. The angel’s presence soothed Canaan. His eyes penetrated Canaan’s gaze, learning, and understanding. Rahab placed his hand on Canaan. Warmth, suddenly Canaan felt warmth. “Many of us, those of dissent within the Host, know how you feel, understand how you feel. Mankind’s destiny is their own, they will build greatly, they will learn, understand grow….be strong, be strong and swim,” Rahab disappeared into the depths.

Canaan’s eyes opened. It was lighter, the rain seemed to be lessening, and the forty days were almost complete. Noah was on the deck of the ark yelling at him. “My torch is lit father, the torch of my own. I will not drown, I have learned to swim and I have the strength to do so.”
Noah replied coolly, “all but the torch of God will be extinguished.”
“Perhaps, father, but I will never again be part of the flock, this is my own path, my own destiny,” as he looked at his father a wave smashed into him and he was – overwhelmed.

The ark sailed away.

With a burst of breath Canaan appeared at the surface, he looked out across the horizon, and began to swim.