One Last Breath
Ricke lay on the soft grass staring at the blue sky high above. The clouds wandered slowly across the sky morphing as they went, but always looking like Serenia.
Serenia was the most beautiful woman Ricke had ever known and how he ended up with her he would never understand. She was only slightly shorter than him with a much more appealing build. Her curves and proportions were exquisite; her smile and teeth flawless. Her long, brown hair always caught his attention; its smell intoxicating. Her eyes were a haunting ice blue that he had come to love.
Ricke lay there staring at one cloud in particular as it changed before his very eyes. It looked as if the cloud had come to life, speaking to him. The cloud moved its mouth and winked its eyes as Ricke stared on, longing for Serenia to arrive.
His right hand played with the long grass beside him. He picked off one particularly long piece and brought it to his mouth. The nectar was a sweet refreshment that dripped slowly onto his tongue.
He sighed as he soaked up the nature around him: the birds were singing, the flowers in full bloom, somewhere a predator was seeking its prey.
Off in the distance he heard his name being called. At first he thought it was his imagination, but he heard it again, much louder and more clear this time. He sat up and scanned the fields below the hill on which he was seated.
Down in the field he could see a shape walking towards him. Serenia, it had to be her. "Serenia," he called out to her as he stood up and waved to her. She picked up her pace when she heard him.
He thought about running down to meet her but decided against it, choosing, rather, to watch her as she approached. Even from this far away her beauty was palpable. The way she ran to him gave it all away: she loved him, more than he could ever know, but if it was anything like the love he felt for her, it would last forever.
Just standing there admiring her, he was happier than he had ever been. He was in love and spending time with the women he loved, nothing could ever ruin that. She was getting closer and would be by his side in a matter of moments.
His comlink sparked to life, a stray transmission setting it off. "Commence…ignition." Strange, he thought, but he shrugged it off, nothing could ruin this beautiful day on Alderaan.
Ricke stopped where he was and stared up at the sky towering over him. It began to change colors and he called out to Serenia, telling her to hurry. A beautiful show was beginning; an aurora was forming. Ricke was mesmerized.
Then the aurora stopped and a deafening sound was heard. All around the ground quaked. Worry filled his soul and his eyes darted to Serenia running towards him, much closer now, her arms were outstretched, beckoning him, but he was looking past her. When she saw the look of horror on his face she turned to see what had caused it.
A huge wave of rock, dirt, and fire was coming their way, a hungry beast coming for them. Serenia turned back to Ricke and ran as fast as she could, trying to get to him before the wave got to her. She failed and the wave overtook her and she disappeared before Ricke's very eyes.
Ricke's last breath was one of hot air. The pain and grief didn't last long as the wave took him as well, silencing him forever.