Tricked
David did not know how long he had been sitting in the dark. Time was a matter that only concerned the Orga, since they were so captive to its rigid limitations. He did not share that mortality, nor the sense of urgency that dominated their lives. So he waited with a patience no human could ever hope to understand, or achieve.
There was occasional activity beyond the door; intermittent shadows crossing the faint beam of light between the floor and the frame. Muffled voices whispered in the hallway once or twice, and someone thudded down the stairwell to be shushed by another when they reached the bottom.
Was it a game?
He had been in this small place before. When Mommy had grown tired of his pestering. But that was before she had awakened him to the world of emotion. Love. Family.
"David," someone called.
He knew that voice but had not heard it for some time.
"David," again.
He stood and placed his hand on the knob that opened the door, and was surprised to find it unlocked. At any time he could have simply left his place of imprisonment. But he was an obedient boy. A good boy. They were all such good children.
He stepped out of the closet and into the hallway. The setting sun cast rays of golden light through the oval window. The voice did not come again.
"Mommy?" David said, making his way slowly down the winding staircase. It was quiet in the room below. Then he heard a whisper and the hissing sound Orga made when they were telling someone to be quiet.
"Mommy?" David said again, louder this time, moving quickly down the steps and onto the soft carpeting of the living room. But the place was empty. The whispering voices were gone.
"Where are you?" he cried. What cruel game was this? Was it something Martin had concocted?
A sound came from behind David, a metallic sliding sound. He turned just in time to be blinded by the rays of the sun burning through the window whose curtain had just been opened. There were figures silhouetted against the glow. They were boys. Tall and muscular. In the center of the group stood Martin. His suspicions were confirmed.
Martin broke from the group and approached David, a mischievous grin on his face.
"I only have one thing to say to you," Martin said in a measured tone. Then he signaled the boys behind him.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" they yelled in unison.
The lights came on and Mommy rushed out from the kitchen to give David a big warm hug. Henry was with her, and he wrapped them both in his strong arms.
"Love you, son," he said to David.
Matrin joined them then, whispering, "Happy Birthday little brother," as he took his place with his family. They stood that way for a time, holding each other silently. Then Todd cleared his throat impatiently.
"Come on, David" the big boy called from the kitchen, where the other had gathered. "Blow out the candles so we can eat!" David realized this was the voice that had summoned him.
The family untangled and David made his way past the pile of colorfully wrapped presents to where the boys were waiting beside the cake. He took a deep breath and blew out the ten candles that signified each year since he had become a Swinton.
"You were supposed to make a wish!" Martin said.
David looked around at his family and friends. They gazed back with warm, expectant smiles.
"It already came true," he said. Then he grabbed a knife and quickly sliced the cake into portions enough for everyone.
"Dig in!" he said.
Todd mussed David's hair as the boys started devouring. "You're alright, for a Mecha," Todd said. The others agreed through stuffed mouths.
David could not eat like the rest, but he took pleasure in watching them from his place by Mommy's side… where he belonged.
(HAHA. Tricked ya, huh? I saw AI the first time in July 1st 2001. Figured the kid deserved a break, so I gave him a happy day. May yours be happy too.)