YA Science Fantasy, taking place in a future Earth with mutants and superpowers, focuses on nature, first in a series.

The line between prosperity and ruin is less than one block wide. I shake my head at the cars on Fifth Street and further north, cruising on the streets of Miami Beach. All those buildings from the early twentieth century in the luxurious Art Deco style with pastel colors. At least the government has sought to preserve that portion of the city for the last century. Palm trees and all, even if nobody is on the streets or the beach to enjoy it.

Exactly like it was before Gaia’s Rebellion.

Not to say South of Fifth doesn’t have it’s own qualities. It’s been years since most people have dared to venture out here. The citizens don’t appreciate the meters high grass bursting between the asphalt cracks on every street or the various trees and vines wrapping around similar Art Deco buildings and the high rises built at the beginning of the twenty-first century. And don’t forget about the flowers from all over the color spectrum spilling over from many of the windowsills, long abandoned by their former owners. A different kind of beauty no longer appreciated around here, a natural beauty. Too bad. If they did, it would make it easier to prevent this place from becoming a giant grey concrete slab.

On the crumbling wall of one of the old apartment buildings, I spray the finishing touches to the mural I’ve been working on the past few weeks. A floral arrangement bursting with all the colors of the rainbow, contrasting the grey walls that surround it. On top in purple are the words ‘Welcome to the Living Spark Empire’. Some of the paint’s smudged thanks to the on and off rain since yesterday afternoon, but now it’s clear blue skies and I’ve replaced most of them with violeta flowers, smiling for each one I add. “And there,” I say in a light voice, putting down the spray cans. Not my best work, but good for my first crack at street art.