Child Solo: Hope In Sunshine
Reshi, in late morning, woke up alone. It wasn't an unusual thing, Bellatrix and Loki were busy people who woke up far earlier than he did, but this morning... There was a chill in the air.
He hated winter. It meant heavy coats. It meant gloves. It meant medicines and staying inside. He didn't like staying inside, even as sick as he was. There was a world outside of these crystal walls he lived in and he wanted to be out and about trying to enjoy it. He was a child now, for a reason, and that reason was exploration. It wasn't right for him to have to stay where he couldn't see everything he was obviously meant to see. The little legendary shivered, coughed into his sleeve, and slid out of bed.
First stop was the kitchen. His feet shuffled along the tiled floor, his slipper clad feet just visible from underneath his blue, star covered robe, and fixed himself a quick bowl of cereal and a glass of juice. The comics from that day's newspaper had been left out for him and he smirked, finding a gag about a cat and a dog somewhat amusing, and finished his food with a slightly better mood. From there, it was time to get dressed and, maybe, sneak a walk outside if the weather was warm enough.
He leaned out of the door with his favorite hooded sweatshirt on and took as deep a breath as he could. Fresh, crisp, cold air that tasted of the rain from the night before and filled his lungs with chill. He coughed, breathed, and coughed, and repeated, until he decided to take a few steps away from the door. Bellatrix or Loki would find him, they always did, and it was a beautiful day. Could they really bar him from trying to enjoy it? He took a last look at the castle and hustled toward the edge of the forest.
Here was where he felt as though he could do anything. Everything around him was singing, Pokemon were scurrying about, the smells, the dewdrops on every flower... It all felt so much better than being cooped up inside or in bed. But, still, he coughed. And coughed, and coughed, and coughed, until his cheeks were red and his head grew dizzy. Why did a place so beautiful have to hurt him so much? It almost made him want to cry. It felt like betrayal. He wanted to run and play like other children. He wanted the rush of the wind through his hair and the air to fill his lungs without pain, without struggle, and without fear. He clenched his fists and stuffed them into his pockets.
What was he supposed to do? Bellatrix and Loki were doing all that they could for him, he knew that. Medicines, machines, bed rest, therapies, it wasn't like he wasn't trying. So, when would something come along to cure him? What were they not doing that was the one thing they should? Was there even a cure to being with? Were they just lying to themselves and trying in vain? These questions made his stomach swirl and his brows furrow. It all felt so ridiculous and cruel. To him, and to Bellatrix and Loki. He was sure that they had other things to do than take care of him. He was a burden on all of their future plans.
He sighed and picked a fallen branch up from off the ground. He'd bring this home as a memento and look at it until it wilted, just like all of the other things he'd found and brought back home before it. For now, it was time to say goodbye to the forest and rest. Maybe today would be the day that they'd finally find a cure and he'd be able to come right back out again later. ... It was a nice thought, one that brought a flicker of hope to his eyes, but more than likely the dream of a tired child who was looking for a miracle that would never come.
(Word count: 679)
