So, my friend recently lost her baby girl to cancer. She asked me to write something in memory, and I thought 'Hey, before I send it to her, maybe I should see if it's okay..' And how better to do that by allowing better writers and good critics to read and judge. Enjoy, criticism is more than welcome. I guess this is also a good way to re-enter the non-erotic writing community. I walked towards the clearing in the forest, not knowing how I knew it was there or why I wanted to go, but I walked. Briefly, I glanced back at the large, off white hospital I hoped never to go back to. I had to of course, mommy and daddy were still there. I flicked back my ear-length fox-red hair and kept walking through the barely-lit forest. Ignoring the feeling in my gut, I walked into a large clearing, the soft grass below my bare feet tickled as I looked in awe at the surrounding area. A waterfall, clear and pure cascaded off of silver-grey rocks that jutted out of the large cliff face before me. I looked at the red and yellow topped trees and smiled broadly, sitting down and looking at every inch of luscious grass. Movement caught my eye, at the far side of the clearing. Quickly I strode to it, a small ball of light gleaming in front of my freckled face. "Hello, River." "Hello! Are you a fairy?" I reached out and allowed the ball to land on my finger. "Indeed, but I am your fairy. I'm here to tell you that it's time to go sweetie.." I could detect a hint of sadness in the bright voice. "But, what about mommy and daddy? Won't they miss me? I can't leave them alone..." I whispered, remembering the looks on their faces three months ago. "They will, but soon they'll have a baby, and the baby will be told stories of how brave you are, how strong and pretty. He'll be told about you, they'll never forget you.." "Okay... Can I at least tell them goodbye? Please?" I looked back towards the hospital. "Of course, I'll get you there in a flash." Suddenly I'm back in the room, standing next to the bed. Mommy and daddy are sitting on the small couch together, mommy is crying. I look to the bed and see myself, my red hair gone. I touch my hand and am zapped back to my body. "Mommy? Daddy?" "We're here baby, just keep still... You're doing great Alice, keep holding on." Mommy knelt by my bed, holding my hand. "Mommy, I have to go... I'm sorry, I don't know when I'll be back. But, don't be sad because I'll be with the fairies!" I look away from my parents tear stained faces, looking over at my fairy. He looks at me, no longer a small ball of light. Now he's a tall man in a suit, a soft smile and sympathetic eyes telling me to finish quickly. "Mommy, daddy... I love you." I whisper before the man touches my arm. My blood freezes, my breathing ceases. It hits me. I'm finally better. I'm dying. Before I'm whisked away, I hear the faintest words from a small boys mouth. "Tell me again!" "Alright Teddy, but then you have to go to sleep. Once, long long ago, there was a beautiful girl named Alice. One day, not long after her fifth birthday, she got very sick. There was a terrible creature following her like a shadow. She fought for many months, sometimes winning for a few weeks. One day-" I had fought so long. Now, now I can be free. But I will always be there for mom, dad and even my little brother Teddy. Always.
Oh, and if anyone is wondering why she is referred to as 'River' then as 'Alice' it is because her nickname was River. May have forgotten to add that..