The Spotlight Boy

A small glossy white speck of frozen water swayed gracefully back and forth until it gently kissed the delicate snow on the forest ground. A wolf far off in the distanced whined to the moon, as it did every night, as if waiting for an answer. A snowy owl twisted its head around trying to pick up a whisper from a mouse below in the subnivean zone; where all the mice scurried about during the bitter cold season. A repeated crunching in the snow was then heard drawing ever closer to the scene. All the animals turning their ears to a new sound that was making it's way to them. And from the shadows came a young boy in winter boots, he was carrying a dismal frown and gloomy green eyes that focused on the snow crunching under his feet. The furry hood of his coat sagged down off his head, revealing shaggy, dirty blonde hair. His snow clothes engulfed his body, but it did not make him feel suffocated. He rather enjoyed the warmth hidden away from the piercing chills outside. But the most noticeable thing about him, were the ice skates gripped firmly in his hands.

The forest surrounding and enclosing all this was dark with ghastly casting shadows, it seemed to stretch out into eternity. The only evidence of the existence of light was the faint glint of white from the moon peering through gaps in the forest. Until, there it was, a pond bordered by the trees, sat silent in the forest, wrapped in thick untouched ice. There was not a break nor a scratch that laid on it, and it shimmered the reflections of the white sphere in the midnight blue sky.

The boy tilted his head a bit as he neared the approaching frozen lake. He set up a crimson red flashlight in a tree, then moving to his destination. And then he stopped, his feet nearly touching the crystalized water. He softly sat down in the powdered snow, and replaced his snow boots with his lily white ice skates. They came across as clean and untouched, yet they had minor scrapes upon their heals and worn out blades. He carefully tied together the ivory laces, pinching the aglets till it was just right, creating the perfect knot.

He took a deep breath letting ice out of his nose, stood up, and looked at the stage in front of him. A lake that extended not too far creating a perfect space for a single ice skater. The trees opening up at the top letting the glow from the bright circle moon and tiny sparkling dots in. And besides the little gossip from the eyeing animals and trees, the silence created by the night. The boy took a step forward and pushed off onto the frozen water, creating the first scratch on that smooth surface.

He started to wander about, performing nothing but light jumps and slow casual spins. He maneuvered from side to side, catching the attention of a deer passing by, who then lingered for a moment before bounding back into the woods. The boy didn't notice, his eyes remained shut as he did these little feats of wonder. Slowly, steadily, a smile began to creep it's way and loom over his face. Eyes still closed, he leaped into the air, up into the night, and fell back down to earth with a graceful motion.

The boy turned his body throwing his arms into the heavens, and he opened his eyes. To his shock, a tree began to flap, and began to chant his name, it swayed back and forth, and was soon joined by all the other trees. A crowd began to cheer and applaud, many glowing eyes began to watch, he saw his old faded friends, his departed family, the beams of people from across the globe. He put on a show, ice dancing, twirling swiftly, sliding and jumping across the floor with ease, performing for his audience. The crimson flashlight shone brighter and created a spotlight that chased his every move, his every leap, his every shift of a wrist. Finally, he was noticed, appreciated, people saw him for his talent. He became the star of the show, all turned their heads to see this gifted young boy.

Seconds altered to minutes, minutes rapidly became hours, but not a bone nor a muscle in this boy ached. His admirers didn't tire, they applauded more booming then before. The spotlight followed him finally to the center of his own stage. Then on the last note, the final touch between the blades and the ice, and the final second in the spotlight. His viewers arose from their seats, thundering enthusiastically, showing their support, their love, and their shock and awe in such ability. The boy's chest rose and fell rapidly, but his smile was never wider, it touched from ear to ear.

Then he opened his eyes, he opened his ears, and heard and saw a forest. The trees towering over him, silent and black down in them. They did not sway nor did they speak, they sat there as not a whisper of wind made it's way through. Pushing everything, bullying the trees and it shoved their leaves aside. No not that, not even the sound of that distant wolf talking to the moon. The sound of the owl had disappeared, and nothing's heart thumped in this forest. The boy's red flashlight dangling from a tree nearby, he looked at it. He then turned his gaze up to the moon, the only one who was truly watching his act. And as he looked up at the bright moon lit by the ball of fire on the other side of the world, he wondered, if he will always be alone.