Page 17 of LeX

“Wewon’t speak of it again.Myname isLeX, what’s yours?”

Abuzzing close to my head has me glancing away from the shadow sitting next to me.Heasked me a question, my name.ShouldIknow this?Whydoes he care?

“Whydo you care?”

“Iam simply trying to get to know you better.Iwas hoping to enjoy this world with you, it is very beautiful here.”

Myworld?Isthis all mine…Iwonder?Allhe is doing is making me think, andIdon’t seem to care for that.Iwant to sit here and listen to the quiet words and watch the colors.

“Ihave decidedIdon’t want to discuss my world … if it is mine.Canyou hear the soft words?It’sa story, butIdon’t know who or where it’s coming from.Doyou?”

“Ido … if you come with me,Iwill show you.”

Isee a shadowy hand reach out and for a moment it takes shape, appearing to be yellow in color, butIdon’t want to leave quite yet, soIignore his gesture until his hand fades away. “Didyou know yellow’s my favorite color?”

“Idid not, is this your favorite tree as well?”

“I’mnot sure, it seems oddly alive, a world of its own creation within itself.Itsplentiful limbs,Ifeel, embody the many who have passed through our lives.Theblooms opening and closing represent the relationships we’ve experienced as we walk our chosen path.Theones that have fallen to the ground … show loss.Eithera loved one or a forgotten friend.Butthe roots which we sit upon now, they are what keep us grounded on this long walk of life.Youmay stray away, but strong roots will always guide you back home.”

Hedoesn’t say anything, just sits here with me and the words slowly surround me again.

Thelittle bird turns and hovers right in front of my face, turning its head back and forth, looking at me curiously. “Don’tbe rudeRandy, tell her good morning!”IhearPetalsay.

“Ohhh, good morning then.”Ilook down atPetal. “Canshe even hear me?”

“Yes, silly man, she can.”Sheactually rolls her eyes at me.

“Well, sorry ifI’mnot quite caught up with the whole fairy glen thatIhave here in my bedroom.Youseem to know more about what’s goin’ on around here thanIdo.Ithink you’re just using me for room and board.”Ilaugh out loud. “Andwhy isn’t everyone, or shouldIsay, why aren’t you or any of your flying friends here scared of me?”

“Ihave watched you your whole life,Randy.Ialready knew your name.Itjust startled me, waking up with you standing over me.Nowsit down.I’mbreaking my neck, staring up at you.”

Tobe three inches tall, she sure is bossy.Isit down in the chair and pull it up as close asIcan toPetal. “Whatdo you mean you have watched me my whole life?”

“Ihave been in the fields for many seasons,Ihave gotten to watch multiple people come and go throughout the years.Iactually remember the first timeIsaw you.Youwere much smaller than you are now, but compared to me, you were still huge.Youwere walking hand in hand with an older lady.Herlong and beautiful hair extended all the way to her butt.Shealways smelled so good, like wild roses.Shewould come every spring and walk the fields.Itwas clear she enjoyed watchingthe flowers grow.Ican remember you and a puppy running along with her and she would chase after you.IthinkIreally remember the laughter the most.”

“Doyou know who the story is talking about?”

“Ibelieve it’s the main character’s grandmother.Sheseemed to enjoy a world similar to yours as well.”

“I’mdelighted by the peacefulness for sure, but nowIwonder why.Whycan’tIsee you?”Suddenly, something feels off, “Maybeyou should go away.Ididn’t feel this way until you showed up.”

Ican feel his distress like it’s my own and just asIstart to reach out for him, the shadow is gone and so are the soft words.Rubbingmy chest,Iglance down at my fingers, noticing the tips of them are turning yellow.Mymind brushes it off as pollen left over from all the yellow flowers around me.Waita minute, look at all of them lying on the ground!HaveIlost that many?Tiredand confused,Ilay down on the ground, something that suddenly feels hard where it was soft and comforting earlier.

Suddenly, my body jerks andIsit up, startled.Ialmost call out for the shadow, what was his name again?LeX.Idon’t remember ever knowing anyone else by that name.Standingup,Itake a moment to really look around whenIrealizeIdon’t recall any other names.ThetreeIam standing under is the same, but what was once a bright sky with billowy clouds has now darkened.Blackclouds dim the area, and a cool wind blows, chilling my exposed skin.

Blinking,Ihold the material out on the dressIhave on; it’s made out of flowers.HaveIhad this on the entire time?Istep back against the tree whenIsee lightning in the distance, realizingthe tree is the only solid cover around.Slidingdown,Ilean against its trunk with my arms wrapped around my legs, rocking back and forth.Iwatch the storm in the distance until my eyes become heavy and the darkness pulls me back under.

Chapter Twelve

LEX

Thelast thingIexpected was her asking me to leave.Aggravated,Iyank the sensory scanner off my head and stand up.Myfingers pull at the knots in my long hair asIpace around the end of her bed.

Outof the corner of my eye,Isee her entire body jerk, but the sensors show no change other than that sudden movement.HowamIgoing to wake her up if she doesn’t want to leave?IfIbarge in, forcing her to realize that nothing around her is real,Icould permanently harm her mind.

Themed bot assigned to her starts to turn her over onto her side and that’s whenIsee them.Shehas scales going all the way down the sides of her neck, fading out on the tops of her shoulders.Sheneeds at least one more transfusion, but doIdare change her more?Inever dreamed she wouldn’t want anything to do with me.Isimply assumed with us being mates she would have the same pull to me asIdo her.WhatwillIdo if she hates me?

“FRACK!”Iscream out in frustration.Theseare emotionsIdo not know how to deal with.Thereis no book or holo searchIcan look at to provide me with any guidance on how to move forward.Thisis the only timeIcan recall ever needing instructions with the opposite sex.

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