Sweet Summer by wolfofthewoods |  |
The sun’s rays are no longer of the brilliant, heart-lifting
glory of days passed. As the weak light caresses my figure, I watch the great
inferno of crimson flames sink into the endless ocean; my vision blurred by
salt-ridden tears. I close my lids against the lake of grief, memories whirring
in my thoughts—painful, joyous—a myriad of emotion.
Your silky voice fills my mind; your soft lips;
your incredible, crystal-blue eyes… Oh, those amazing eyes. The spell they set
upon my soul and body. Oh, Coltzan… That hair. Those gorgeous, glossy, red locks…
And your wings. The flame-licked, intricate, fragile beauties. They fluttered
softly in the wind, and seemed to wilt in your moments of sorrow.
My maw damp with tears, I straighten my back
slightly, blinking. I mustn’t let this ruin me. Your friendship is—no, I correct
myself, was—my life. My entire being was formed by the intricate threads of
your personality; your laughter, stubbornness, needs… You.
But I must move on, right? I have to leave you
to the demons of the past, don’t I? Oh, Fyora, tell me I don’t need to… I want
to crawl under my duvet with a flashlight, and pore over your letters for the
many remaining years of my soul’s presence in Neopia. I can’t just let my memories
recede into bitter darkness, can I?
I push myself from the log of drift wood, clutching
my knees in the sun-drenched sand. My throat is tight with mourning as I remember
your departing words… The phrases that made my heart shatter and moan.
“Pillgrimme…” You took my paws in your childlike
hands, stroking them gently. Your ginger hair fell as a veil, sheltering your
visage. “Oh, Pillgrimme, I…” My spirit gave a scared shudder—what were you trying
to say? Oh, dear Fyora, tell me she’s not saying… but you were. You were telling
me exactly what I prayed I’d never hear.
“Summer…” my voice quivered; no, please, no…
“Summer, what’s wrong? What’s happened?” You lifted your chin, sapphire spheres
brimming with crystal tears. I unconsciously raised a paw to your chin, brushing
back your silken tresses. You shook your head, perfect, rosy lips pursed—shaking
with sobs.
“I can’t… stay,” you murmured, face descending
again to stare at the smooth beach. “I’m a Faerie, Pillgrimme. I can’t stay
on the ground… I’m… I…” You struggled, words stitched with tear-laden sniffles.
“I’m…” I felt your slender arms about my neck, in a tight embrace. My paw stroked
your hair… For the final time. “Goodbye, you incredible Lupe. You’ll always
be part of me, Pillgrimme. My thoughts, my soul, my heart… You won’t forget
me, will you? You’ll remember the times we spent together? The long hours swimming,
walking, laughing, crying? You… You’ll never leave my mind.” And with a last,
melancholy laugh… you strode away. Your glorious, fiery wings extending upwards
as you neared the shore. I couldn’t bear to look on as you took to the air—couldn’t
meet your mournful gaze as you let your eyes fall upon me, never to do so once
more.
And now I lie on the very sand where you stood
for the last time. The frigid sea licks my body, merges with my tears. A hoary
moon stares down on me without sympathy. And, in the depth of the night, my
consciousness finally ebbs—the world holds a dreamlike quality as my thoughts
wander.
You, Summer, you’ve departed. Not solely from
Mystery Island, but from my life. My being feels lacking in meaning, now that
you’re gone. But I have got to stand strong. I need to move on. You’ve taught
me so much, Summer. That loved ones in your existence come and go—but the love
that they felt for you is forever present. You’re never really alone, are you?
There are always caring people there, to look out for you. You don’t need to
be with someone all the time physically, for always, always, their hearts
will reach out to yours in a bond of pure light—strong and ever at hand. Just
know this. Everyone needs to learn it. Your love will indeed be torn to pieces,
but you can go on. You can live without it. Because your being
is filled with love. You are love.
Barely conscious, I feel myself grope up from
the sodden sand, from where the tide has now descended. Gooseflesh prickling
my body, I pad exhaustedly towards the quaint Neohome in which I reside. With
my family. My Owner, my siblings… And suddenly, my mind is wakened, and a surge
of love towards these oh-so-different, incredible Neopians swells in my chest.
They care about—and for—me. They need me, and I need them.
I break into a run, hind paws smacking the soft,
dirt path. I have an unbelievable desire to be at home, in the affectionate
embrace of my relations. Oh, if only the house were closer… And then I’m there.
Standing, stationary, before a quaint structure. The roof is thatched, the walls
quite unclean and tawdry… And it’s the only place I want to be. It's the only
place that my heart longs to reside.
I fling the door ajar, and hurtle into my sister—who,
in turn, lets a scream ripple from her muzzle. The hilarity of this hits me
in a bounding river of sniggers; she gives me a look of utter perplexity as
I wrap my charcoal-furred arms about her startled form. This is where I’m meant
to be. As my Owner rushes in, an utterly alarmed expression plastered on her
moony visage, I know that I’m surrounded by love and remarkable people. There’s
no one else that I’d rather be with. I'm home, and family love encompasses my
being.
Summer… there are no words for how I wish I could
thank you. You’ve made me realize something very incredible—something that will
last for eternity and afar. Your love has brought to me the acknowledgement
of love as not simply something you'll discover in Faerie Tales. I love you,
and always will. While you’re not here physically, your affection surrounds
me. You’ve granted me something I thought I’d never have: a passion for life.
My greatest objective is to make sure that every single Neopian knows they’re
loved. Can you do this for me, Summer? Can you reveal to the world of Neopia
that there’s more to life, than items and figures? For one thing never dies—it
stands, perpetually smoldering, a flame that ever flickers joyously. It dances
on, unable to be tarnished. Love.
Thank you, Summer. Fare thee well.
The End
Author’s Note: Thanks so much for reading. As always—hatemail, constructive
criticism, and fanmail are ever encouraged and desired.
Some of you may have noticed my lack of presence in the Neopian Times, and
the fact that I announced my "retirement." Well, I guess all I can say is that
I'm a little too young to call it quits. ^_~ Go ahead and scorn my loss of inspiration--
all that matters is that I'm back, and it feels exactly how everything should.
Neopia, I'm home.
Of course, I'd like to wish the wonderful, amazingly talented and kind editor
a very happy (albeit belated) birthday. 'Hope it was a perfect day, Felicia.
^_^
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