The water levels on earth had risen, slowly reclaiming the land. People didn't realize the severity until it was flooding the streets and submerging their houses. Within weeks, entire cities were decimated, swept into the ocean's abyss. Scientists were working tirelessly to make survival possible, but hope was dwindling with each passing day.

"This is a stupid idea."

"Do you have anything better?" I was met with silence. "There's nothing left to lose. We might as well try." A faint ringing started making its presence known but I ignored it.

Cass sighed heavily before turning towards their room. "I'll start packing."
I looked around the house, realizing this was probably the last time I would be in it. The water was rising fast and even the people at higher elevations were starting to board up under their doors, trying to keep the water out.

Opening the door, we were met with water lapping at the porch. Before I could change my mind, I stepped into the water, grateful for keeping my old waders.

"You can wait there for me, but it isn't that deep yet." I moved through the water, making my way to the backyard.

Locating the old, ten-foot boat I had inherited, I made my way towards it, praying it wasn't leaky.
Flipping it over and pulling it out from between two trees, I manoeuvred it back to the porch. We shoved our small duffels into the boat, before I helped Cass in. I climbed in after them, looking around and not seeing any leaks.

It felt so strange, rowing the boat out, away from our house. Under the water you could see the faint outline of houses and trees that had been submerged. People always wanted a waterfront view, but I assumed this wasn't what they meant.

"Hey, are you listening to me?"

"Sorry, what's up?"

"Where do we plan on going? There's nothing out there." I was struggling to hear their voice, the ringing back and louder this time.

"Honestly, I don't know. I just feel like there's something out there."

"Ok. I trust you." They looked away into the distance, water all that we could see until the horizon.

I wasn't sure what I was taking us, but I could feel something pulling me out into the expanse. The ringing amped up, agreeing with me.

CBC Books asked students to give us a glimpse of the great Canadian novel of the year 2174. They wrote the first page of a book set 150 years in the future, with the protagonist facing an issue that's topical today and set the scene for how it's all playing out in a century and a half.

Two winning entries — one from the Grades 7 to 9 category and one from the Grades 10 to 12 category — will be chosen by middle-grade author Basil Sylvester.

They are the co-author of the middle-grade novel The Fabulous Zed Watson and the recently published second book in the series, Night of the Living Zed.

Both winners will receive a one-year subscription to OwlCrate, which sends fresh boxes of books to young readers across Canada on a monthly basis. In addition, each winners' school libraries will receive 50 free YA books.

Last year's winners were Christian A. Yiouroukis for his story Where the Maple Leaf Grows and Bee Lang for their story One Question.

The winner will be announced on CBC Books on June 12, 2024.