Good Things, They Never Last


I practice my writing skills here and everywhere.


"Couldn't you have yelled for help or something?"

This was said rather bluntly with an edge of mild accusation, although there was no hostility or anger contained within those words. The cold breeze blew past, but failed to sweep away the half-tense, half-dreamlike atmosphere between them. He stared up at the stars wordlessly, having nothing to say in response to her question. She heaved a sigh, making him turn his gaze on her.

"You don't talk much, do you?"

Sorry, he mouthed. The penguin's brow furrowed as she studied him with something akin to curiousity and bafflement as her mind joined the dots together. "You can't speak?"

He turned his face away, not looking at her, and nodded slightly, ashamed. His back was feeling numb from the cold and he couldn't help shivering.

"Ok then," the red penguin put a thoughtful flipper next to her beak. He waited for her to take her leave. There was a small zip sound, and something warm and soft was pressed against his back. He glanced at her, surprised, and dropped his gaze down to the jacket she was offering to him.

"Here, take it."

He shook his head. It was a chilly and windy night, one belonging to the long months of winter darkness, and he did not want to trouble this kind stranger or cause her to catch a cold.

"I'm not taking no for an answer, kiddo. You've been in the freezing sea for who knows how long and your feathers are damp. You'll get frostbite," she said firmly.

The female penguin shoved the warm jacket at his face.

"Put it on."

He shied away from it. A determined pout appeared on her beak.

"Look, I'm okay. I've got hundreds of jackets at home, so just take the stupid thing. My arm is getting tired."

He shook his head again. With a sudden movement, the taller penguin pushed him against the nearby wall, startling him. Their beaks were nearly touching. He looked up at her face. Her expression was one of stone-faced stubborness.

"Jacket?" She breathed. Something about this whole weird situation gave him the de ja vu. He felt like he had seen that stone-stubborn face somewhere before. Finally, after a long moment of staring deep into her eyes and unable to discover her motives, he succumbed. His head dipped into the barest of nods. The female penguin stepped back to give him space.

"Hold out your flipper," she ordered. Hesitantly he obeyed.

She carefully slipped one sleeve of the jacket on his outstretched flipper.

"Other side."

Once the jacket was zipped up snugly and the hood pulled over his head, she gave him a dry smile.

"There. Better, isn't it?"

He could only nod gratefully. Then he gestured and mouthed: who are you?

She chuckled enigmatically.

"Next time maybe."

Unable to ask more and remembering something else, he gave her a goodbye wave and waddled off.

The red penguin's eyes followed him as he headed off to the Landing Docks. Another penguin came and stood beside her.

"He's the one you're searching for, Tara?" The brown penguin asked as he also watched the young penguin disappear into the crowd.

"Most probably." Tara shrugged. "You saw the markings on his back, right? That's why I had act weird and force him to wear my jacket."

They were silent for a moment, each to their own thoughts. The brown penguin rubbed his beak playfully.

"Fudge, for a moment there, I thought you were going to lean in and smooch him senseless when you shoved him against the wall," the penguin guffawed.

"Shut your front door, Sweet2th," Tara growled and elbowed her laughing companion, "Your wild imagination's flying out."

"Aw, come on. Admit it!"

"Well," the reddie ran a tongue over her beak thoughtfully, "I was tempted for a moment. He's pretty darn cute. Had that air of innocence and the haunted eyes."

"Hah, I kneeew it! You're eeevil, Tara. Taking advantage of little boys, that's very baaad," Sweet2th bleated teasingly.

She snorted and rolled her eyes as she took out a coat from her inventory.

"One thing though," she mused as she donned her coat on, "I didn't know Felix couldn't speak."

Sweet2th sobered up.

"I don't think he's voiceless. He just doesn't want to speak."

Tara looked at him, puzzled. "What makes you think that?"

"I found out that the reason why he was staying in the sea at such a cold time was because he was forced to. There are five or so older penguins bullying him. They push him into the water and bet how long he's going stay in. And if he tries to get out, well, they beat him up," Sweet2th explained, "So he stands there in the freezing sea and bears the waves beating against his back without uttering a single sound. 'Rather die than give them the satisfaction' is probably what he thinks. The poor kid."

Tara was completely still for a second before she shoved on her shades rather roughly.

"And by holly, tonight's the last they'll ever do that," she stated darkly.

Sweet2th let out an ouch-Imma-gonna-be-feeling-sorry-for-some-pplz-soon whistle.

"Alright, evil partner," he sighed and put on his shades too.

"Time to sprinkle some 'feary dust' around."