Time had seemed to slow to a stand still as an early morning mist had covered the land in a silky gray blanket, tall weathered palms stood like ghostly shadows who's broad leafs wavered slowly in the whispers of wind. Tendrils of the smoky haze snaked in through the doorway of the ship leaving a old damp chill in it's wake, the unforgiving gray gloom of the ship's interior only added to the bleakness of what was slowly unfolding with each passing day.
It had been one solid week since he had be consumed by the sickness as it retained it's cruel tenacious grip on his body and mind, beads of sweat dotted his steel gray brow as his body was swamped by heat and weakness. Gantu lay in bed with only the sound of his breathing to keep him company as he slowly rose a hand to wipe away a droplet of the salty film to prevent it from getting into his eye, the night hours had drifted into morn since 625 had left and if he would return or not was unknown to the captain as he rolled onto his side. The bedside clock said 7:46 but he really didn't care what time it was as his fever had made sleep almost a distant memory as he tried to get comfortable, his stomach twisted and growled due to lack of food for so long with made this even more difficult. Grunting deep in his throat he tosses onto his back again and closed his eyes just as a sudden gust of cool air from outside rushed into the ship and swooshed through his bedroom door, he felt it…like the soothing feel of a lover's touch…sweet refreshing relief to his suffering. Air currents like dainty fingers dance over his face as they banished the heat and sweat for but a moment as if some higher power were touching his hard, darkened soul with an ounce of mercy.
As the delicate peace of sleep finally embraced him Gantu returned once again to the realm of his subconscious and deep into a distant dream….
A young boy stands in playground as the warm summer sun shone in all it's brilliance and wonder over his head, the soft tickle of the emerald carpet of grass spread out like and ocean from under two oversized elephant like feet. Eyes a shining, happy and just as wonderful blue as the heavens above blinked brightly with wonder and boyish mischief. He was wearing a white t-shirt, blue shorts and was the age equivalent of a 7 year old by human terms though he was much older by those of his race. His ears were large curls on either side of his head not the full big heavy ones he would received until his years as a fully grown adult male, innocently standing before him just a few feet away was a bunny like creature in a pink sun dress decorated with white flowers. Her fur was all white but with black on her nose, paws, ear tips and feet. Instead of buck teeth she had two little fangs like a cat much like the tawny brown, droopy limbed plush one she held in her left hand. Her bright blue eyes twinkled as she walked shyly up to him as he hugged his own toy space ship to his side, reaching out slowly she took Gantu's hand in her own.
"Wanna come play with me?" she asked in a sweet little voice that made his heart quiver.
"Sure." Gantu replied happily his voice not yet deepened by the coming of puberty.
Together they ran to the playground and set their toys down before clambering up the slide's ladder and whizzing down repeating this over and over as their happy laughter like music floated on the warm caressing winds, over the monkey bars, across the bridge and down the slide again as the pair met at the swings. Gantu lifted the rabbit girl up as she as to short to get up onto the swings, placing his hands under her arms he gently lifted her up and help her sit in the seat and gave her a few good pushes before getting in his swing. He laughed and laughed as both their hearts and spirits soared, swinging higher and ever higher still. No one else was around but him and his new friend as both pairs of kicking feet reached up trying to touch the sun as a small flocks of birds flew chirping and singing past, letting go of the chains Gantu forgot for but a split second about how high up he was and slipped off the swing hitting the sand underneath them hard and cutting his knee on a sharp stone.
Quickly slowing her ride down the bunny child jumped off and rushed to her fallen friend's side who was holding his knee and sniffling as he tried hold back soft sobs. She reached into her dress pocket as she sat close beside him and finally fished out a little pink band aid with pretty flowers on it clearly for girls, slowly and ever so careful she pressed it to the wound after removing the backing. Gantu looked at the band aid as his whimpers and sniffles subsided as she got up and got their things and came back to where he sat, kneeling before him the female child held out her cat plushie to him as her warm kind eyes told him to take and hold it if it would make him feel better. His heart melted as he took her toy and felt it silky cotton stuffed body in his hands, it fur dull and worn as it looked up at him with black button eyes that shone like gems. This simple thing was her most precious possession that she was offering as a token of comfort, friendship and love was the most wonderful gift he could have ever gotten as she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a big hug and he returned it enjoying the warm feel of her fur against his cheek.
Clouds like great puffs of cotton candy floating high overhead looked down on Gantu and his friend pointing back up at them as their imaginations where their art pencils, drawing out animals and scenes of many kinds in the shimmering blue. Wild flowers swayed back and forth as if dancing in the green grass around them, the sweet smell of pollen in the air tickled his nose, Gantu smiled so happy as his hand reached over to touch her's his best friend in all the world but found….nothing. Sitting up quickly little Gantu looked about as the playground, the meadow faded into bleak icy gray fog as a chill hung like a ghost in the frosty air. The bunny girl was no where to be seen she was gone….because she was never there. He stood there with arms quivering until they went slack causing his space ship to drop with a soft clack on the ground as it fell from his little hands. Tears flowed freely from his hurting eyes as they trickled down his cheeks before falling softly to the ground…he was alone all alone…as he turned and walked away sniffing and sobbing leaving behind his innocence, his toy and the childhood he never had.
His shape vanished into the fog fading from sight with distance as a lonely toy space ship lay on it's side close by a tan plush cat with the faded fur and black button eyes…
It had been one solid week since he had be consumed by the sickness as it retained it's cruel tenacious grip on his body and mind, beads of sweat dotted his steel gray brow as his body was swamped by heat and weakness. Gantu lay in bed with only the sound of his breathing to keep him company as he slowly rose a hand to wipe away a droplet of the salty film to prevent it from getting into his eye, the night hours had drifted into morn since 625 had left and if he would return or not was unknown to the captain as he rolled onto his side. The bedside clock said 7:46 but he really didn't care what time it was as his fever had made sleep almost a distant memory as he tried to get comfortable, his stomach twisted and growled due to lack of food for so long with made this even more difficult. Grunting deep in his throat he tosses onto his back again and closed his eyes just as a sudden gust of cool air from outside rushed into the ship and swooshed through his bedroom door, he felt it…like the soothing feel of a lover's touch…sweet refreshing relief to his suffering. Air currents like dainty fingers dance over his face as they banished the heat and sweat for but a moment as if some higher power were touching his hard, darkened soul with an ounce of mercy.
As the delicate peace of sleep finally embraced him Gantu returned once again to the realm of his subconscious and deep into a distant dream….
A young boy stands in playground as the warm summer sun shone in all it's brilliance and wonder over his head, the soft tickle of the emerald carpet of grass spread out like and ocean from under two oversized elephant like feet. Eyes a shining, happy and just as wonderful blue as the heavens above blinked brightly with wonder and boyish mischief. He was wearing a white t-shirt, blue shorts and was the age equivalent of a 7 year old by human terms though he was much older by those of his race. His ears were large curls on either side of his head not the full big heavy ones he would received until his years as a fully grown adult male, innocently standing before him just a few feet away was a bunny like creature in a pink sun dress decorated with white flowers. Her fur was all white but with black on her nose, paws, ear tips and feet. Instead of buck teeth she had two little fangs like a cat much like the tawny brown, droopy limbed plush one she held in her left hand. Her bright blue eyes twinkled as she walked shyly up to him as he hugged his own toy space ship to his side, reaching out slowly she took Gantu's hand in her own.
"Wanna come play with me?" she asked in a sweet little voice that made his heart quiver.
"Sure." Gantu replied happily his voice not yet deepened by the coming of puberty.
Together they ran to the playground and set their toys down before clambering up the slide's ladder and whizzing down repeating this over and over as their happy laughter like music floated on the warm caressing winds, over the monkey bars, across the bridge and down the slide again as the pair met at the swings. Gantu lifted the rabbit girl up as she as to short to get up onto the swings, placing his hands under her arms he gently lifted her up and help her sit in the seat and gave her a few good pushes before getting in his swing. He laughed and laughed as both their hearts and spirits soared, swinging higher and ever higher still. No one else was around but him and his new friend as both pairs of kicking feet reached up trying to touch the sun as a small flocks of birds flew chirping and singing past, letting go of the chains Gantu forgot for but a split second about how high up he was and slipped off the swing hitting the sand underneath them hard and cutting his knee on a sharp stone.
Quickly slowing her ride down the bunny child jumped off and rushed to her fallen friend's side who was holding his knee and sniffling as he tried hold back soft sobs. She reached into her dress pocket as she sat close beside him and finally fished out a little pink band aid with pretty flowers on it clearly for girls, slowly and ever so careful she pressed it to the wound after removing the backing. Gantu looked at the band aid as his whimpers and sniffles subsided as she got up and got their things and came back to where he sat, kneeling before him the female child held out her cat plushie to him as her warm kind eyes told him to take and hold it if it would make him feel better. His heart melted as he took her toy and felt it silky cotton stuffed body in his hands, it fur dull and worn as it looked up at him with black button eyes that shone like gems. This simple thing was her most precious possession that she was offering as a token of comfort, friendship and love was the most wonderful gift he could have ever gotten as she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a big hug and he returned it enjoying the warm feel of her fur against his cheek.
Clouds like great puffs of cotton candy floating high overhead looked down on Gantu and his friend pointing back up at them as their imaginations where their art pencils, drawing out animals and scenes of many kinds in the shimmering blue. Wild flowers swayed back and forth as if dancing in the green grass around them, the sweet smell of pollen in the air tickled his nose, Gantu smiled so happy as his hand reached over to touch her's his best friend in all the world but found….nothing. Sitting up quickly little Gantu looked about as the playground, the meadow faded into bleak icy gray fog as a chill hung like a ghost in the frosty air. The bunny girl was no where to be seen she was gone….because she was never there. He stood there with arms quivering until they went slack causing his space ship to drop with a soft clack on the ground as it fell from his little hands. Tears flowed freely from his hurting eyes as they trickled down his cheeks before falling softly to the ground…he was alone all alone…as he turned and walked away sniffing and sobbing leaving behind his innocence, his toy and the childhood he never had.
His shape vanished into the fog fading from sight with distance as a lonely toy space ship lay on it's side close by a tan plush cat with the faded fur and black button eyes…