A.R: 11

Its eyes were a vibrant red, almost glowing. It cocked its puffy head to the side, its body, temptingly supple, remaining still as it did so. It was so small and miniscule. Smaller than him even, and that said something.

‘Walk up to it.’ A voice from the speakers croaked, the tone bored. He did as he was instructed, carefully stepping towards the creature looking back at him.

The voice spoke again,

‘Slowly get on eye level. Do not scare it away.’

He leant down, trembling mildly. The ball of white fluff hopped away from him, still cautious. It had every right to be wary, he thought, as he reached a nimble hand out.

It turned its head, its pink nose twitching slightly as it examined his hand. Finally, it jumped towards him, nibbling on his fingers.

His heart exploded with a feeling of joy and adoration. The little thing that sat on his hand made everything feel like rainbows and candy.

How had he never wanted something like this as a pet?

The speakers came on again, a slight creaking sound echoing around the empty room.

‘Okay, that’s a start.’ the voice started, clearing its throat to make it raspier than it already was.

He sat, fiddling with his new friend as he awaited the next instructions.

He hoped that he would get to keep it, train it even. God, imagine how much more fun it would be if he had something to do in that dead room of his!

The voice croaked, sending a wave of excitement through Rae’s spine.

‘Kill it.’

Black.

That was all there was. Darkness, surrounding every inch of the limitless space.

He was floating.

Floating helplessly, drifting in the way of the wind.

No. There was no wind.

There was nothing. Nothing but his heart, thumping against his chest. Nothing but the swirl of emptiness.

What had happened? Where had he gone?

Perhaps he had died.

Perhaps, this was what the afterlife looked like. Just darkness.

In the distance, many, many lightyears away, he heard a faint voice. No, more an echo.

It sang his name, the tone a wisp.

No, it was more a shout.

Again, and again. It spoke his title. Again and again, it addressed him.

What did it want? Who was it? Why were they so insistent?

He wanted them to go away. Whoever it was. He wanted to float in solitude. To enjoy his company by himself.

But the voice echoed, the voice surrounded him. The voice yelled, the voice followed him.

He wanted them to leave. Why would they not leave?

Why would they-

‘Rae!’

The glare of the moon shone upon his eyes, its craters making cataracts in his vision.

Rae sat up. He was on the floor, surrounded by water, sand and wood. Ahead of him, the docks guided him towards the still water, where the sun was giving its farewells.

‘Are you okay?’ The voice sounded.

He turned to his tormentor. Bright blue eyes stared at him, blinding him more than any sun ever had. Frizzled red hair surrounded the small face that stared back at him, black spots smudged across it.

‘V?’ He responded, getting a nod in turn, ‘What happened? Weren’t you just…’

Rae turned to the cabin. It could no longer be called that however; the wood had been turned to piles of ash, the furniture easily mistaken for rubble. It was destroyed, but the fire was gone.

‘You passed out from smoke inhalation. Someone helped me get out and I just saw you here. Are you okay?’ She asked again.

Her glasses were gone, he realized. It was a miracle that she could make out the details on Rae’s face, given that her eyesight was no better than a mole’s.

He nodded in response, accepting V’s help as she dragged him to his feet.

‘You said someone helped you.’ He spoke tiredly as he dusted himself off, ‘Who?’

V looked up at him and pointed past Rae.

‘He’s right there.’