Friday Flash: Chosen
“Mother,” I said, willing a quaver from my voice. My unnaturally low voice. “I don’t want to leave you.”
The ground trembled as on the horizon Mount Trembus belched more fire. Fire shouldn’t come from mountains, yet Mother was unafraid. “You must. Our clan has awaited this day for generations. It is a great honor.” Tears shone in her green eyes, for which I was grateful. She didn’t want me to leave, either.
“I…” I glanced around. Everything seemed so small now: Mother, my siblings, even the gruntar trees. “I can still be useful here.”
Mother twined her tail around my leg. It barely wrapped around once now. “You will be when you return.”
I nodded. We both knew my return was unlikely.
Mount Trembus rumbled its impatience. I stretched my wings, less disturbed by their presence now. They itched, eager for flight. “How will I find him?”
“Have faith. The Great Traveler will guide you.”
Again I nodded. Further delaying the inevitable was pointless. Resigned to my fate, I knelt to rub my face against Mother’s one last time. “Farewell, Mother.”
Mother purred as she returned the gesture. “Farewell, daughter. We shall hold vigil until it is over.”
My powerful hindquarters launched me into the red-stained sky. I closed my eyes, savoring the kiss of the sooty air as I answered the call of the Wheaton.
This goofy little vignette was inspired by the illustration for Wil Wheaton’s and John Scalzi’s fundraiser for the Lupus Alliance of America.
Great story I can really is the connection to the inpiration.
Thank you! I was giggling as I wrote it.
I didn’t think this was funny at all, not knowing about the photo inspiration when I first read it. Then after I followed the link, I giggled too. I think this works both ways, but I love the line about “I answered the call of the Wheaton.” Brilliant.
Thank you! I had fun writing it. If I were a unicorn-pegasus-kitten, I’d answer the call of the Wheaton, too.