It folds in on itself from dusk ’till dawn. It tires from the seemingly simple routine. Agony perhaps, impatience can contribute to that diagnosis more often than you’d think. Suffering, though, is a definition tailored to its very existence. A life lacking curiosity of the unknown of Earth’s future is a dooming curse that leaves it unshaken, for its sole interest has always been individual gain and loss, no more and no less.
“Where has the sunlight gone, that I am always unable to seek out its pooling warmth in my times of need?” It crouched down to the hardwood floor beneath, slowly propping itself onto all fours. It shivered from the sudden cold touch the ground radiated, it’s hairs standing at immediate attention.
“I can make it.” Groaned the determined creature. From the darkness a bellowing voice bounces off of the surrounding walls; “Stubbornness is not a trait of admiration, foolish thing.”
The isolated being turns its head rapidly in every direction, desperate to pinpoint the intimidating voice’s hideout. “What would you know about admiration? You cower in shadows rather than speak in the light.”
An eerie creaking could be heard echoing down the dusty corridors. It wonders. It contemplates if this new entity that has audaciously introduced itself is alone, if it is different, if it is dumb, if it is on a similar quest. In short, if it is truly a threat.
“You say cower, I say strategize. Though, that is something that you know nothing about.”
“You dare mock me, enemy?” It’s body tensed on instinct, leaning forward in an offensive position.
The interacting voice lowers into a raspy, shallow whisper, barely audible to anything not within its reach, “A harsh label for who you can not see, weak one.”
A slashing noise breaks through the mold of what once was just a conversation. Heaving breaths occupy the atmosphere until a complete still of silence coats them all. A pin would be heard if dropped to the floor.
The startled being inspects itself for wounds, only to find none. “I still contain purity.” It gasps out in relief.
“You can not hold what you were never given to grab.” It can tell the voice is noticeably aggressive now.
Suddenly, a gust of wind emerges, blowing the frightened creature back. Two glowing stars stare down at its frail figure slumped against a corner of the room.
The creature’s pupils dilate in bewilderment, eyes widening like saucers. “Hello… light.” It says while stalking forward, cautiously.
“I am not the light you search for. I am but its messenger, sent here to guide you.”
“Then why have you attacked me? How vindictive the light’s carriers must be to start wars with beings more miniscule than themselves.” It scoffs, head thrown to the side.
“What is war to you is a battle to me. I have done no such thing to you, not yet.” The giant owl spread its wings out, its body spanned the width of the area, its height reaching to the very ceiling they were concealed under.
“You claim yet… So that means-”
“Do not fret. What I reference will not commence today nor tomorrow nor the next day.”
“The day after that?”
“Possibly.”
A soft, symphonic melody begins to roll through the smaller creature’s mind at the sight of this majestic and cosmic being beforth it, urging it to move. “May I?” It asked respectfully, bowing its head.
“Of course.”
The youthful thing gleams with anticipation as it stalked ahead. It delicately stroked the owl’s dark, chrome multi-colored feathers in awe of the natural beauty they reflect.
“I am mesmerized by you now more than in my dreams, what a wonder you are to witness.”
“An honor it is to be dreamed about, a sorrow it is to be mistaken as an identity I bear no relation with.”
The creature is hardly listening to the honest words the grand owl expresses and instead continues to explore the many miles of its physique. “I have yearned for this day for ions, and you have the gumption to tell me my waiting is not at its expiration date?”
“If that is how you’d prefer to see it, who am I to try and convince you otherwise. However, that is not near what I said, on the contrary.”
“You will lead me to the light?” The naive creature jolts back, its teeth for once being shown in what could only be described as a smile rather its usual sneering.
The owl rolls its sparkling eyes, a slight chuckle escapes past its inner cavities. “No. You will lead yourself. I have given you all you need to find your way.”
A glare paints itself across the younger’s face, a scowl breaks through from the conflicting information. “And what is it that you have supposedly gifted me with other than a mighty headache, magnificent beast?”
“What you assumed was an attempt at your life was in fact a touch of your soul. I have bestowed upon you the strength of the universe. The stars you see as my eyes are what now lies inside of you as well.”
The animal paces back and forth before swiftly lunging onto a nearby wall, forcing its weight against it. An extravagant thud is sounded on impact as it slammed into the hard structure and instantly fell down to the ground once again.
“I sure do not feel this so called strength.”
“Well, what do you feel?” The mighty, cosmic bird asked, entertaining its temporary companion.
“The same as I always have.” It replied with disdain entangled in its tone.
“Describe this emotional consistency you speak of, fellow.”
“Do not fret. For I have become content with my position.”
The owl roughly shuts his wings around itself. “If that was truthful, you would not be seeking for anything.”
“I suppose.” It sighed heavily, giving the two distance from one another. “I feel too much, but I admit misery is the underlying master of all the strings attached to this puppet. I fear the darkness is the hand masquerading as my puppeteer. The light is the only cure for me now, my singular hope, my last chance at an utter freedom I crave to taste if even for a second.”
“I see. It seems to me that you are an animal of captivity. I do hope you see yourself out of this cage soon, to ever feel the power you’re fortunate enough to have been granted.” It turns its back to the solemn creature.
It tries to rebuke the flying master of the sky but no words leave its agape lips.
“I speak for the universe, you know? Not just myself, as wise as I am.” It drifts off into incoherent mumbles that only fascinate the humbled creature whose attention is finally undivided.
“May I ask you a question?”
“One.”
Its voice trembles, thumbs curling into the wood below, “How big is the Universe?”
A frustrated breath exudes from the owl as if its been asked this very inquiry time and time again. “Infinite and endlessly expanding. Thousands of galaxies inhabit its vast space, most never knowing of each’s survival. It is as deep as the sea and as wide as the atmosphere you breathe in each morning. It is unforgiving but oh, so gentle. It is all the religions you could know of and all the gods you could read about. Are you pleased with this newfound knowledge?”
The mammal looked lost in thought, busy processing such an intricate web of words that was left to imagine for itself.
“I am intrigued… Why have you asked me this of all the many things you could have asked me?”
“I am unsure of that myself.”
The owl hummed in comprehension. “How transparent of you.” Its wings fawned out to reveal themselves once more. “Now, I must exit.”
“So soon? You have merely just arrived, my friend. Please, do not abandon me.”
“I will offer you a slice of advice, since you consider me an ally.” The owl’s head swiveled around its body in a slow, steady motion. “Molt.”
Then, as fast as it had arrived, it vanished into thin air, as if evaporated.
“What does that mean?” The lonely animal cried out into the empty void.
Salty droplets of water streamed along its skin. It reached its hand to its face to caress the area they’d fallen, but something else had been removed when it wiped. It glances into its own palm to be met with sheets of its own flesh. Panic occupies the room as it starts to hyperventilate at the sight, its chest rising and falling at an alarming pace. “What is happening to me?” It exclaimed, rocking back onto its bottom to sit while gazing up at a black beyond.
“I will not let this cease my movements. The light beckons me still.” Crawling towards oblivion, it strives to complete its ambitious journey.
Hours pass, the sun is set but it is blissfully unaware of the missed opportunity. The weather has decreased into the negative numbers, freezing over most watery surfaces and otherwise. The animal’s skin is no longer, it shed whilst traveling. Muscle could be seen peeking below the final layer, peeling off as it halted to a shortstop.
“I am melting to the bone. At this rate I won’t be waking tomorrow.” It lied down, sprawling itself out in a snow angel form. “I bid this world farewell, and pray there will be another much sweeter in my consciousness. With this last request, I accept my closure.” It fluttered its eyes close, allowing sleep to take over.
“Rise.”
“Rise.”
“Rise, my child.”
With a huge gulp of fresh air, the creature shot up. An odd heat filled its core. Eyebrows furrowed, it scanned around the location. For the first time since its birth, it could see. It was never trapped in any labyrinths of halls, it was a cave, a cave decorated with carvings on every inch of the walls. Everything was illuminated, nothing was left unpainted by the light that shone brightly from within it. It peered down at its chest to gawk at the blinding ball of ember-like light that floated inside the confinement of its now-skeleton chest. A singular, last tear slid out of the slim pocket of its eye, its clenched jaw loosening.
It cupped its bone hands, bringing them to its chest. “You were with me the entire time, weren’t you? I was too blind to recognize you underneath all of the chapters of my body. No matter, though, at last we are reunited.”
“What are you?”
The animal inhales, leaning a hand on its knee, then hunching over and exhales to stand upright. It turns around to face a small boy, his expression clearly mesmerized by the glowing undead. “I am light.” It said confidently.
With those words announced, its muscle and skin started to grow back until it covered its whole body. A permanent glowing aura outlining itself like a personal highlighter remained for a few moments, until the being took a step across the invisible line that separated them.
“You’re not light. You’re human, like me!” The boy observed cheerfully.
The person knelt on one knee, a firm yet comforting hand resting on the little one’s shoulder.
Reassurement was evidence in the way the person said, “We are much more than that.”
