Prologue
Nothing.
Nothing forever.
That's what this place felt like.
Alone.
Not always. But, when you look upon an expanse of nothing from far back enough, anything can become a speck in the distance.
That was a feeling he knew didn't come from him, that he had found here. From someone else who had been here before. Someone who was lonely too, who watched beings move past until they were specks, only then lamenting that they did not choose to linger closer.
He didn't understand. Why did this being not just move forward too? Forward was where others were. Others that could be talked to, held, loved…and in turn talk, hold, and love back. Thinking of such possibilities made him feel warm. He didn't have a name for it, but he knew this warm feeling did come from himself.
So he knew what he was going to do. He was going to move forward, as fast as he could. It felt amazing. He laughed as another warm feeling filled him. Why did the other being choose to float in nothingness? Why float when you can fly?
So he flew and laughed.
Sometimes, he'd pass another being. They rarely looked like they felt warm feelings. He smiled at each one, hoping to pass on the warmth. When they smiled back he felt…good. Yes, that's what it was. Good. When they snarled or hissed at him it made him feel colder. Why did giving away warmth make him feel warmer, but being rejected made him feel like he lost what he was offering?
He shook the confusion away. There was always the next being.
But there was only so many "next beings" before he began to feel…less than. He wanted to rest…to stop flying and laughing and smiling. He wanted to keep what warmth he had left. Is this why that being stayed floating?
Up ahead, he saw a bright light forming. It looked like it could be warm, and he felt it call to him. But it might not be warm. Like many of the mysterious things he had seen, it could be yet another thing that will steal his warmth. Would it be safer to stay back? To keep to himself? To ignore the call of this light?
No. He couldn't give up. The act of going after what he wanted was what gave him warmth to begin with. This light either led to what he wanted, or would destroy him.
It was worth it.
He flew faster than ever, the rush of it bringing a smile back to his face.
As he flew into the light, he heard a scream. Then he was screaming. He felt horrible feelings all over. No…suddenly he had names for the feelings. Pain and fear. Was this what destruction felt like?
"Danny!"