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#15

Number 15 By Shane' K.

By Shane' KummerPublished 4 years ago 45 min read
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Cringed toes in canvas sneakers on the driveway where she stood, midnight blue irises peer at the metal numbers, 615 spelled on the hung wood. “Halley! Time for tea!” yelled a cute voice in the distance.

Halley trailed to find the cute voice, through many doors and to the last. Halley peek around the corner, yellow streamers pierced pass the glass as light brushed gold strings and paint green irises in small paper circle. An adorable smile to warm up the room and an atmosphere full of excitement. A little girl named Crescent was waiting for her.

“Come here, Halley!” Crescent took her softly by the hand, lead her further into the room. A couple of inches away, Crescent dropped to her knees and pulled a draw out, her mini hands moved through tons of fabric, seconds later she stumbles to her feet. Grasped by tiny fingers, a long dress, just the right length for Halley to wear for the tea party.

Halley smiled. She changed quickly in the bathroom across the hall. Her bare feet took a step on the soft carpet. Her midnight blue irises and latte brown hair covered the top of the cheval mirror. Shoulders down painted periwinkle and a navy-blue dress, unexpected dress from the medieval era. Halley admired the dress and elegant combinations of the colors. She twirled and felt pretty.

“I’m glad you like it.” Crescent smiled as she stood in the doorway.

“I love it. Thank you.” Halley delighted.

The little girl bounces in her pastel yellow and purple princess dress as she skipped to her play table.

Halley’s cheeks grew pink and walked over to the far left of the table. A mini pink chair, she sat down and grabbed a cute, small, orange lion with a full black circle around his right eye. On his little feet were white fringeless mittens. She struggled to place him on her lap because her knees were higher than the table. Across from her Crescent held a yellow star shaped plushy with black eyes and orange smile.

“Ha-Ha! It seems Leo really likes you.” Crescent giggled.

Uh, Leo? Halley thought, “Yeah! Well, I like him, too.” Halley gave Leo a big hug. “Who are they?’

“I thought you would ask. On your left is Lyra the elephant, and next to her is Castor the fox. This star is my #1 favorite because my mommy gave it to me when I was a baby. I named her Nova.”

Halley notice a little sadness in her eyes when she mentioned her mother. It was hidden underneath her bright smile. Halley read her so easily. She glanced at the cute elephant covered in grey with pink feet and a sky-blue scarf around its little neck. The fox was unique because it is purple all over, and it wore a green sweater. She looked at the star again with a smile.

“Halley, what type of tea would you like? We have peppermint blueberry or peach green tea.”

“Hmm, peppermint blueberry, please.”

Crescent poured the tea into a mug designed with scattered stars, almost like the night sky. Halley inhaled a sweet smell of the blueberry and the coolness of peppermint. She felt relaxed after the first sip. A different aroma filled her nose, the smell of candy mixed with a drop of bitter fell into another mug. Crescent set her mug on a mini plate.

“Halley, do you like your tea?”

“Yep, thanks.”

“I want to give you that mug, okay. My mommy gave me her favorite mug, so I want you to have it…. I think of you as my big sister.”

“Aw! I love you, too. Little sister. You’re super cute.”

Halley gently set her mug on the table, so many sweets surrounded her from gummies, peppermint ball, chocolate chip and sugar cookies, even cupcakes. Crescent fingers wrapped inside a jar of gummies. One by one fell on her plate. Two sugar cookies were added. Halley spotted a cupcake. It was adorable. Swirled pink frosting, maybe, strawberry. Unwrapping the paper, raveled white all over and scattered rainbow pock-a-dots. Her bit exploded of sugary, vanilla, and strawberry flavor.

“Madeleine, you’ve mentioned your mother several times. If I may, where is she?”

“Daddy told me that mommy left in the middle of the night and left him a letter.”

“Aw! I’m sorry, sweetie.”

“It’s okay, I still have you, Daddy, and my Aunty Miranda.”

Halley took another slurp of her tea, and her cupcake was gone. Crescent swallowed her last gummy. A few moments pass.

“Halley, can we play outside?”

“Yeah! Let’s go.”

“I’ll grabbed my chalk.”

“Okay, I’ll grabbed my bubble wands.”

Crescent popped up to her feet and set her plush on the chair. She skipped over to a drawer and grabbed her chalk. Halley got up, too. Instead, she traveled to Crescent’s bed and shook her tote bag, her keys, mini lotion, spry, bubble wands, journal, wallet and pens were scattered in a small pile. Under her journal were the bubble wands.

she grabbed them. At the door, little Crescent waited patiently for Halley. Crescent raced down the stairs.

“Daddy, I’m goanna go play outside.”

“Oaky!” Her father yelled from his office.

Halley took her time and quietly, he didn’t notice her. She pressed her hand against the metal door and stepped her foot onto the warm concrete. A small plain of concrete covered part of the backyard, rest was grass and couple of trees.

Halley approached Crescent kneeled on a towel and notice she is drawing sunflowers next to her hopscotch. Halley sat down on a towel, too. She set the bubble wands aside. After a while, Halley drew a rainbow with clouds and a pot of gold, and scattered stars in all different colors.

Crescent drew many flowers with smiley faces and a couple of bumblebees. Crescent got to her feet and grabbed a bubble wand. She started to dance in circles. Halley chased after her with bubble wand in her hand.

For a short time, she stumbled her body on the grass looking up at a tree with branches reaching towards the sky. A small bundle of flowers laid beside her. This seemed so familiar, I wonder why? She thought. Halley turn her head slight to her left. A yellow tulip caught her eyes. A hummingbird appeared and she grew a smile. All she could think of was her old friends and the last time she spent with them before they moved away.

“Come on guys, I’m dying to see the lions!” Halley yelled from underneath the sign. “We’re coming!” Estella shouted. Halley pouted. “You’re so cute when you explode with excitement.” Castor kissed her on the cheek. She smiled into his violet eyes. His green sweeter brushed against her fingers as he took her hand that was blanket in white fingerless, lace mittens and lead her on the gravel path. Estella by her side.

Around the corner, they arrived at a gigantic glass window, and behind it was an open space filled of trees, grass, a tiny pond, and a cave. Estella’s eyes seek for information as she started to read from the mini podium, Halley drop her body, kneeled with one leg up and the other one down. Estella’s voice faded and Halley escaped into the glass.

Halley swiped her eyes at the glass, a large rock with a deep hole caught her attention. A little tawny, yellow paw appeared, then other paw from the darkness. Bitty buttons eyes and tiny whiskers. A baby lion prance around the waterbed, his four limbs fall into the grass, and he started to lick his left paw.

A slight move from her right eye, she saw three other baby lions playing together, and one out the three had a unique feature upon his face. On his right eye is full black circle.

Estella’s voice peak through her zone like white noise in the background. Halley kept her full attention on the same cub. Estella narrated from the podium “finally our fourth baby cub, his name is Leo. Leo is the most unique out of the four due to his full black circle around his right eye just like his mother. We named him Leo because he was born with his older brother on August 15, month of the Zodiac, Leo. His hobbies are sleeping, playing with his brothers, finally eating his favorite meal, any part of a zebra…”

Words evaporated again. Leo tranced across the waterbed and came up to Halley. Light brown irises against midnight-blue irises, a slightly titled head for him. Leo admired her in wonder as he sat down. Gently lifted his right paw and pressed it against the clear glass. Halley’s eyes widen without fear, but cuteness. She too pressed her hand against the clear glass.

Escaped her tunnel vision, she spotted a small green dot that flew around the Leo. To her left she spotted a yellow tulip. Flapped wings in the air with a small needle beak appeared in sight as it’s small body few above the tulip, dipped its needle beak into the tulip. Sucking the nectar. “What a pretty hummingbird.” She though, even Leo was gaze with curious eyes.

“The big kitty likes you.” Castor said.

“Yeah! Well, I like him, too.” Halley replied with sweetness.

When Halley looked back at Leo. He was gone, leaping into the air with one of his brothers.

“Halley, what are you doing? Let’s go!” Estella yelled and Castor at her side. She was in her own little world again. Memorized by the hummingbird. “Alright I’m coming.” Halley got up and took Castor’s hand. The gravel sprouted into a yellow and red brick path that lead up to a rail with a massive pit, so much dirt, a few large trees and rocks, and a body of water in the middle.

Long, black tied up hair in a small sky-blue scarf fellow in the wind with light grey eyes scanned the pit and fingers gripped on the concrete rail. Estella’s eyes sparkled with joy as she saw two gigantic grey elephants and one tiny baby elephant. “I’ll be right back.” Castor whispered into Halley’s ear. Gentle lips pressed lightly on her check as he went off. Halley smiled, crossed her arms over her chest, and leaned against the rail beside Estella. Castor stood close to the rail and looked over.

Six pupils investigated the pit, a baby elephant is walking with its mother on the way to the water. At the edge of the dry dirt is where they stood, sticking their trunks in the clear waves. “So cute!” Estella’s eyes were bright like a star and Halley’s smiled like the tale of a comet. Castor twin with Halley. Halley broke away and realized she was block by a shadow, no longer the sun. she explored more and found out there were mahogany trees everywhere, so tall they reach blue and made pock-a-dots shadows on the bricks.

Slosh! Splash! Drip! Echoed in the distance distracting her away from the trees. Splash! Splash! Splash! Her eyes dip back into the pit, far against one of the walls were a waterfall. Drip! Drip! As the lower water bounce of the rocks into the pound. Castor and Estella were analyzing the podium. Halley took short steps toward the podium. She zipped through the words, and found Apollo was the Father. He must have been the elephant eating the leaves from a tree in the far back. The mother, Andromeda is with her baby, Lyra at the waterbed.

“Good morning.” Unfamiliar voice said.

“Hello.” Estella delighted.

“I’m Cressida, would you three like to explore the elephants up closer?” Cressida wore a beige shirt and khakis shorts, keys dangled off her left hip.

“May we? I’m Estella, this is Halley, and Castor.” Estella held her excitement in.

“Nice to meet you three, please follow me.”

Their brick path transformed into an orange and brown brick staircase. They emerged up to an immense, steel door with a sizeable lock to match it. Cressida grabbed one of the keys to unlock the door, onto the gravel they stood.

“Lyra!” Cressida yelled as she padded towards her. Swoosh! Lyra flapped her ears and softly stomped her way over to Cressida. Andromeda amble her way behind her daughter. Lyra wrapped her trunk around Cressida right four-arm so gently, bowing her head. “Hello, my sweet girl. Would you like to meet my new friends?” Cressida smiled, Lyra tilted her head a little and unraveled her trunk from Cressida arm. Cressida stepped backwards, “Estella walk slowly towards me.”

One foot at a time, Estella stood a couple inches away from Lyra. Estella study Lyra’s motions, her trunk dangled as she shifted her head at Estella. A little stomped left a mini vibration, Estella’s elbow bent and fingertips free in the air. Lyra bowed her head forward and touched Estella’s free fingertips. “Hi, Lyra.” Estella whispered. “Hi momma.” Andromeda brushed her head against Cressida shoulders. “Caster, walk slowly to me if you would like to meet Andromeda.” Calm and quietly he took his steps, her eyes connect with his. A tiny gap between them, she lifted her trunk as he rose his right arm. She gently wrapped her trunk around his four-arm as he came closer to her. Patted her with love and softness. Caster admired Andromeda.

Halley softly strolled to Estella as she was lost in the elephant eyes, “You’re so cute. I absolutely love you, sweet girl.” Halley reached out her hand and touched the top of her trunk. Lyra felt warm to her, a soft rub of little wrinkly skin with little silky hairs. Halley looked over at Caster with eye connected, he blinks with one eye. “Cressida!” a zookeeper yelled. “I’ll be right there!” she replied. “I guess it’s time to go. It was very nice to meet you, Lyra.” Estella smiled. Cressida lead them back to the brick road.

Their brick path transformed into metal, then a concave spiral light with mixtures of different shape of stars. Through the spiral, they arrived at an arctic layer. Materialized up to a unique structure of a transparent glass and inside were filled with frozen water powder. The creatures that dowelled in the habitat were polar foxes, at least three of them. Caster researched the podium.

His violet eyes inhaled as much information possible, each fox wore a colorful collar to identify them properly. Fast as a shooting star he memorized the information and his violet eye dropped into the glass. An indigo collar caught him first, Aurora was her name. The oldest and she was relaxing on the far right, high up on a grey rock. A little lower from where she was her little brother with a green collar, Pollux.

In a flash of bright light, Pollux notice Caster. Caster stepped away from the podium. Estella and Halley watch his interaction with the polar fox. Pollux hopped down from the rock; his paws pressed against the frozen powder as it hit the glass. His front legs were straight, and his backs legs bent in a sit position. His white ears were alert, mandible down as he stuck his tongue out, panting. “Hello Pollux.” Caster bowed down and placed his hands on his knees. Tap! Pollux front paws leaned against the glass.

Caster jumped back. “Oh! You want to play.” Pollux paws pulled away from the glass and back into the powder. His hind legs were straight with his tail in the air wagging with joy. Caster bent down, knees above the ground. His violet eyes swung back and forth. On the right were a pound and huge rocks. On the left, were a flat powder snow and the wall to separate the den, part of the glass ended on Cast, but the other wall didn’t it continued a couple of inches more. Pollux brought his paws in the up and down playfully.

Caster bounced up and read his motions. Pollux body shifted slightly to the right, but he veered to left quickly. Caster fallowed his movements all way up to the corner of the solid wall. Few seconds, Pollux popped his head around the corner. “Ha-ha!” Caster laughed. Pollux wander off to the water. Caster took his last glanced at the last fox, Alula. Her yellow collar pierced brightly against her grey coat as she climbs the rock to her older sister.

Estella and Halley were memorized by Arura as she leaped from the rock to meet with her sister and laid next to her. While, Pollux laid near the water. Caster went over to Halley. “They’re so cute, like puppies.” Halley compliment to Estella. “I guess it’s time go, Uh?” Estella tilt to asked them. “Only if you would like to? It is your birthday.” Caster suggested. “Yeah, but Halley your birthday is tomorrow.” Estella pointed out.

“Okay, rock, paper, scissors.” Halley placed her hands in front of her, ready for a battle. Estella mimicked her. “On the count of three.” Fist hit their palms as they were sync in the count down. “3, 2, 1.” Estella took her scissors and cut Halley’s paper. With a wishing star smile, “I would love to go to the gift shop. Halley where would you like to go after?” Halley hesitated for a moment, “how about our favorite café shop” “Yeah!” Caster responded. “I’m down.” Estella agreed. Caster took Halley’s hand, their metal steps transformed into concrete as their metal cage became open air painted with blue skies and white cotton clouds.

As a gentleman, Caster open the glass door to the gift shop. Wooden tiles covered the floor, wooden bookshelves were place in line like ales with hung signs above them read toys, stationary, and clothes in the far back. Each of them separated, Caster went to the stationary, Estella went over to souvenir, and Halley traveled to the stuffed animals. Halley’s wander eyes like a bright star in the night sky, a baby lion like Leo, a full black circle covered his right eye. She held him and single thought of one person who was not with them.

“Hello!” Estella popped into view.

“Crescent.” Halley continued, “I’m going to get this for her.”

“That’s so sweet. I’ll get her this cute elephant.”

“I figured to get something for her sense she could not make it.”

“How thoughtful of you.” Caster stood behind her. “This purple fox looks very cute; do you think she’ll like it?”

“Yeah! I know she will. Especially you, Caster know her well because you’re her cousin.

“She’s like a little sister to me.”

“Oh look!” Estella looked away, “There are matching clothing for the stuffed animals on this shelf. So cute.”

“Aw! This sky-blue scarf matches the one in my hair. I’ll wrap it around its little neck.” Estella delighted. “Uh? A green sweater that matches mine.” Caster smiled.

Halley looked through most of the clothes but could not find anything. Until she flipped her hand through some hangers, she gazes at her hands for a moment. She took her white fingerless mittens off and put them on the front paws of the lion.

The second hand click on the clock, on a large blast-off blue signage with silver print that read Galaxy Café. Underneath were black tinted windows with scattered white stars (different kinds), shootings stars and a crescent moon on the right. Again, Caster open the door for them stepping into a galaxy theme vibe, the ceiling is covered in colorful gasses bundle of radius stars, there were white lights mixed with pale blue moon lights, too. The tabletops were a navy blue with gray cushions chairs.

It is a small café. Estella was on the right, Halley stood in the middle and Caster was on the left of Halley.

“Hello, how are you guys?” The cashier greeted them politely.

“Good, thank you. How about you?” Estella responded.

“What can I get for you guys?”

“I would like a berry-banana smoothie and a turkey sandwich for here, Please? You’re turn Halley.” Estella responded

“Hi, I would like to have a cup of fruit and unsweetened peppermint tea, for here please?”

“Hi ma’am, May I have black coffee and a single slice of red velvet cake for here please?”

“Will this be together or separate?”

“Together.” Caster said nicely and the young ladies went around to find a table to set at. There were booths, but they decided on a table. This time Estella was in the middle and Halley was on her right.

The wheels in the clock only spun for a second, Caster had a tray in his hands. Softly, he passed everyone’s drinks and snack out to them. Halley open her fruit cup of colorful watermelon, blueberries, and strawberries. She looked at her glass mug, today, she got the spiral comet mug, Caster got the scattered star mug. While, Estella had a colorful cloudy galaxy tumbler.

“Estella, your day is almost over did you enjoy your birthday?” Caster asked.

“It’s only 2:15pm.” Estella confused.

“Estella the evening is still young, and the stars will shame at their own time.” Halley smiled.

“Thank you, Halley, so far, I’m having a great birthday. Thanks, guys, for coming to the zoo with me. When I unfolded the paper, I was excited to see what it could be. The zoo was a surprise.” Estella smiled as she took a sip for her smoothie.

“Ha-Ha” Caster smirked.

“What is now?” Estella snapped.

“I might’ve put some random cards in jar.”

“Like what?”

“Burning candles or picking up leaves.”

“I don’t want to do neither of those on my birthday, especially tomorrow.” Halley cried innocently with sarcasm.

“You’re joking?” Estella questioned.

“Maybe?” Caster smiled as both finished their snack.

Halley stabbed her fork into three fruit she had left, blueberries. Blue sphere exploded between her teeth like an asteroid hunting a planet. Debris of sweetness crashed against her

tongue. Simple sip of her peppermint tea collides with flavor of blueberry that was still present. She finished them.

Halley got up and walked over to one of the shelves. Her irises zipped through coffee bags and mugs. She spotted a make our own tea kit, she picks up the tin and reads the back, 15 tea bags and descriptions on how to pour the imgreites into the tea bags. Below were a list of herbs, spices, and dried fruits that read; dried apples, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, cinnamon, green tea, hibiscus, and peppermint.

“What are you doing?” Caster kneeled beside her.

“I think I will get this for Crescent and me, so we can have a tea party. We can seat it up tonight and have it tomorrow.”

Caster stood up and reach out his left hand towards hers, Halley placed her right hand in his, gently lifting her up off the ground.

June 14.

“Writing in your journal, again?” Crescent rubbing her eyes.

“Yeah, just finished, too. Did you have a good nap?” Halley’s smiled as she closed her Journal.

“Yep.” Crescent inhaled a familiar smell, “what a pretty smell?”

“Oh, it’s one of my candles I am burning. Your father gave it to me as an early birthday present,” Halley whipped at the candle then back at Crescent. “Its black orchid sent, Nova, I mean your mom would always burn this candle all the time. It’s one of my favorites, too.”

Crescent smiled while she held her star plushy. Halley got off the chair and kneeled one of her legs on the bed across from her. Crescent mouth dropped, now she realized her new stuffed animals on one side of the bed. “Would you like to give them names?” Halley curious. she smiled and nodded her head. Then, she reaches underneath her pillow and pulled out a book, it read Pictures in The Night Sky by Carina Orion. The cover of the book has a black background drench in white dots with lines connecting them.

“I love your book. Did you have fun at the galaxy museum?”

“Yep, I learned so much about different stars, like their names, and the pictures ones that start with a c.”

“Are you referring to the constellations?”

“Yeah!” Crescent smiled like a full moon at midnight.

“What should his name be?” Halley grabbed the lion stuffed animal.

Crescent flipped through a couple of pages. “I saw a picture of a lion somewhere, ...oh, here it is.” On the left side of the page read Leo in big bold letters.

“Halley, can you read this for me please?”

“Sure, it reads Leo.”

“Yeah, I like it a lot. Suits him well.”

“Who will be next?”

“The elephant, I think I will name her Lyra. Lyra is one of the stars I learned.”

“Who about this purple fox?”

“Caster, my cousins name. I learned that caster is a star, too.”

“Guess what?”

Crescent looked up from her book with a bright smile. “Yeah, Halley?”

Awe! Halley though. “I have another surprised for you.”

“You Do?” Crescent puzzled.

Halley got off the bed, reached into her tote bag, and pulled out a tin.

“Oooo!” Crescent got even more excited.

“I got this for us to make our own tea kit. I already have little bowls, teaspoons, and the tea bags laid out. Halley explained.

Crescent’s speechless, blushed pink cheeks, and smile like a supernova. She popped up from her bed and made her little skips to the table.

“Crescent, would you think Leo, Lyra, and Caster will have fun, tomorrow?” Halley open the tin.

“Yeah, I think they will have lots of fun. But I think they need to rest tonight.” Crescent explain with a dust of sass.

Halley pulled out four of the tea bags and gave then to Crescent. While, Halley did the other four. They cut open bags and poured tea ingredients in the bowels, Halley folded little paper rectangles, wrote the name of the herbs on the paper, then placed the folded paper rectangles in front of each bowl.

They mixed unique combinations, Halley collide peppermint leaves with dried blueberry and Crescent controlled green tea leaves and dried peaches.

“Girls, time to eat!” Jay yelled from the stairs.

“Be there in a minute.” Halley responded as she took Crescent into the bathroom to wash their hands.

Different levels of steps drop onto the carpet.

“Halley!”

Halley swirled around on the flat surface. Crescent was sitting on the third step below, her knees high to her chest, and arms wrapped over her star plushy. Halley’s white socks moved gently over the grey carpet; a hand reached out for Crescent.

Crescent’s moonlight smile, a small tide reaches the shore as Halley held Crescent hand all the way to the kitchen. They looped around the corner onto the wood like linoleum.

Jay leaned over the table as he set the last dish on the fabric placemat. Crescent’s little hands and feet crawled upward with her Dad’s help into the chair. She smiled at her daddy.

“Halley, would you like to sit at the end of the table?” Jay pushed the chair out for her

“Sure, thank you” She sat down on the soft cushion. Her tongue drowned in saliva, her favorite dished laid in front of her.

“From the three cheese and mushroom ravioli, alfredo sauce, chicken breast, the small cup of broccoli, and the side of fruit are all home made.” Jay explained, “happy earlier birthday.”

“Thank you so much. This is amazing.” Halley smiled with content.

“Instead I should be thanking you for babysitting on a short notice. Especially on the day before your birthday.” Jay picked up his fork.

“No worries.” Halley took her first bite.

“To be honest, I don’t know. Project Virgo…”

“Wow! Good on luck on your trip, Jay.”

“Thank you. Oh! Before I forget, Halley do you have all the keys I gave you for all the drawers, closets, doors, and glider.” Jay’s concern voice was strong.

“Glader, may we go up there tonight, please?” Crescent interrupts.

“Not too long. Halley do not open the glass door. Remember to lock up after.”

“Yes, sir.” Halley unhooked the main lock for her belt, showed him all the keys.

“Smart girl. Always keep that on you. I’ve been reading papers, there’s a burglar loose within the area we live in. Excuse me, Halley are finished?”

“Yes. Thanks.”

“Crescent are you finished, too?”

She nodded her head up and down with a piece of peach in her month.

Jay took the plate to the sink, and Halley flowed behind him to help. Crescent escaped from her chair like a shooting star. Jay started to wash the dishes and Halley grabbed a towel to dry them.

Beep! Buzz! Beep! Jay watch goes off as he dried his hands on the towel. “Halley.” He turns his watch off and dug into his pocket. “If you hear or if anything goes wrong...” he didn’t finish his sentence he took her right hand in his. “This is for the shed on the opposite side of the long walkway. Do you understand me so far?” “Yep, on the opposite side of the walkway that leads to the glider or science house.” “Well-spoken, I need to be on my way. In this folded paper has the key and riddles to unlock the door to the shed. I’ve written instructions for you to keep safe. Please be safe while I am away. Thank you again.” Jay grabbed his things and left.

Without examine it, she stuffed into her pocket. Halley comet up the stairs and stood in the doorway of Crescent room. Her little body was wrapped in scattered star night gown. Her tiny fingers between her stuffed animals and a pink blanket. She leaned over and gave each of them a kiss goodnight. Halley stepped father into the room, “are you ready to the science room?” “Yep.” Crescent grabbed her constellation book from her bed. “Halley, will you be changing in your PJ’s?” Crescent ran over to her. “Yeah, I will later, let’s go.”

Down the stairs once more, a door to peek through brick corridor and four lights above. At the end, a familiar door, a key to click. Crescent pressed lightly, “Daddy’s work room, and we go upstairs remember, Halley.” Yep, I do remember.” They pass tall glass on each end of a single door. A private lab for Jay.

Blast-off-blue wall and white carpet. A plastic kitchen set, a bookshelf for her mind to learn 26 letters, a comforter of stars, and above our heads were a wooden slide panel.

Halley twisted the combination of numbers and slid the wood to her left. There was a blanket of navy-blue sky with dots that laid on the locked glass. “What constellation are we going to find?” Halley sat down next to her. “I would like to find Leo, Virgo, and Cancer. “Aw! Zodiac constellations.”

They dipped their eyes into the dots above illuminated the lines to connect them. Time rotated more and more. Crescent faded into a new moon, her eyelashes rested on cheek, and Halley pulled a blanket over her. Silent as space, she dimed the lights like the horizon and slipped into her shoes. Collided her shoes down the stairs and locked the door from the corridor.

Her shoes touched the kitchen linoleum, her pupil absorbed the night light, but most of the items were vanished due to darkness. She held her yellow hummingbird pendant from her necklace with her right hand. Unexpressed like gravity, she made her way over to a drawer before the twin locks match, she stepped back. Halley did not want to expose a single drop. Halley’s shoes ricochet of the linoleum as her eyes spotted the refrigerator.

Ice, she thought. She clashed her hand against the opener, a couple of white cubes feel into her palm. A silver sparkle fell into her eyes, a clean spoon was left among the other dishes, she grabbed it and rocket to the guest bathroom. She strikes a yellow element inside a glass. Her upper torso leaned over the snick, the spoon and ice tied together on the counter.

Her fingers crawl up the silver chain onto the box clasp, separated the metal pieces, and the necklace rested in her left hand, then laid on the counter next to the candle. She lifted the lever and soft splashes echo in the darkness. With her left hand holds the ice and right hand shaves the into a sharp pointed needle, she pricked it with right middle finger, red drop strings down her finger. Halley reaches into her left pocket, a tiny key, she placed it next to the hummingbird pendant. She takes the dripping needle, hovers her left wrist, slices tissues until white solid coverts into red fluid as the clear fluid became as one down the bowl.

Her right hand draws the tiny key into the side of the hummingbird’s belly, twice counterclockwise, the clear layer glass with a metal ring around pops open. Stinging movement, 15 red drops tainted in the pendant, like a galaxy. Halley snapped it shut and grabbed a bandage from the medicine cabinet and cleaned up. Halley dashed off into Crescent room with the candle and necklace. Her journal was still on the desk. Flipping through at least 10 pages, she found an envelope, slip the necklace inside with a note, and sealed it, set in the 10 pages. She placed the journal, nicely wrapped with a note on top for October 10 on Crescent bed. She compressed air to the yellow chemical, on her way out she grabs a lighter and candle with her.

Escaped through the metal door, she bolted silently like a comet. Upon a wooden door, Halley’s shoes pressed on the bottom rail of the fence and pulled the lever, micro slit marked that the was open. Simple tap, the door flew away from her. Halley left her print behind, a concreted path led her to the shed.

Her pupils dilate against the darkness, only silver dots and a new moon were her light, feet fall hard the on the solid concrete. She emerges to a silver steel door with wood surround by it. In the right corner, a cluttered mess of numbers and roman numerals painted white on a combination lock. Her phalanges danced around the lock, but with enough force she could not twist it. She blinked with widen eyes, the note, she thought. Halley untangled the note from her pocket. She unfurled the paper in her left hand and the key in the other.

Decipher

*By the rule of one combine X and V.

Should you get?

*Counterclockwise may destroy the gear

But it could be clear

You should be fair

With a single twirl

*Terminal breaks the pattern

Of less than V from rule of

One.

Halley scan once more “combine X and V. Roman numerals for the number 15. Rule of-one probably translates to the first number on the lock.” Her thoughts click like gears. With her right hand she injected the key into the tiny tunnel, turning it to the left. Click of a whisper.

“Start were I am in counter-clockwise position with a single circle it paused at number 4.” Halley continued until the end. “If I subtract the V from the first number, it should be X. I see the broken patter; XV, 4, X. Those three numbers create of a crescent on the lock.

A silent click! The steel door moved a centimeter away from her. A gentle tap from her five fingers she slips through without an echo behind her. Her movement of a radius, rapid horizontal swing of sickle split her right palm. Halley pulled back and pressed her hands against her upper chest. Her left phalanges crawled her way through tight fabric. Bitty bottle of oil and machine laid in her left hand while the candle was in the other. Her thumb moved the gear creating a chemical reaction.

The fame stitched to the candle stick, she binds her knees and sets the candle down for enough light to see her shoelaces, unwrapped, shift and repeat. Tourniquet the laces around like a carousel on her right hand. Halley squatted up taking the yellow light with her, the yellow glass bloomed among the pint-sized corridor, slow footfalls, she came to an end, which divided into two rooms. Halley choose the right hall.

Her eyes captured cabinets, bookshelves, and a large table in the center of the room with a maroon fabric. There was a desk with two end pieces attached to it. She crept up to a shelf, and curious irises found a jar, inside was a thick red, fluid transfused with a solid object. “Uh! Maybe research or an experiment for a test Jay must be working on.” Halley thought. Halley kept quiet through her examination, but a navy-blue binder abducted her eyes. “It looks to be a thin, about 5 to 15 pages.” Halley concluded. Before she could take her first step towards binder, she heard a soft click in the other room.

Irises buried with fear, she vanished into a tiny space between the huge bookshelves, as she protects the candlelight. “Could that be? Did I forget to close the door? Was I in so much pain I thought I closed it?” Halley’s mind scared her, but she promised herself to be brave if anything were to happen.

Bang! Clunk! Again, the noise came behind the wall. She slides out of the bookshelves, tip-toped alongside of the separated wall. Near the end of the division, her irises dripped water and her stomach coiled. Just a few steps away from the corridor, beware of her steps she her foot caught the corner of the bookshelf. Smash! Like a sonic boom, the sound waves traveled throughout the shed. Halley blasted off through the corridor and escaped through thin crack of the door.

Repetition of her canvas sneakers touch the concrete, her electric impulse releases as clear thoughts deleted from adrenaline. Starlight flickers, she takes control of mind and body, running out far into the field, a plain of grass. She blows out the candle and glass touch the needle grass. Curving her steps each foot falls out of her shoes. Her white socks stitch to the fence, muscles contract, hydraulic slits the stitches, through the air she landed on her feet.

Her steps left grass stains on her socks. A sharp pain pierced through her lower back, penetrating her stomach. Curious eyes seek blew a silver triangle, as rapid the knife shredded her skin, muscles, organs and celiac artery. Her toes cringed in her socks. The force of the knife was dislocated from her back as she stumbled beside an oak tree.

Halley laid on her vertebrate, her body became exhausted instantly, her midnight-blue painted irises constantly searched, and her pupils’ peek through many open branches. A navy-blue sky and dispersed stars. She caught many constellations like Virgo, Leo, and her favorite, the Cancer was near a full moon. Her red steeped into the grass, her retina evaporated like steam from a teacup as fog made it harder for her to see the stars, and her superior palpebral closed.

The sharp red blade slit through the night air before he rested it in the scabbard. He went down on one knee and listened for different sounds as if someone had heard his actions. Checking her pulse with his left hand, no vibrations from any vein or artery. He stayed low for a moment, thinking about what he could do next, get rid of evidence, for him everything seems so easy because he knows where everything is. The shed is what came to his mind.

He bent his other knee and reached his arms under her, his right arm pressed against her shoulder blades and his left carried her legs as her shins dangled. Her head against his chest as he squatted upward.

His blue polypropylene covers touched the concrete as he passed through the wooden gate and into the shed. The Burglar rested the body on the maroon fabric, her head up right were the tip of her nose was pointing at the ceiling, from the tip of her nose he spread out her arms like a triangle, bent her knees out straight and palms touched the wood. Now without any interruption, he can evaluate the room. In his left hand a metal tube created electric light. In his other, he took a litter to the candle stick. The burglar did steal her candle. He too, notice the room was organized and if anyone were to touch anything out of the owner would know.

He moved his phalanges and twisted his wrist to make sure his gloves were on tight. Then, he took clear plastic bags from the shelves and placed them all over the floor. He reached into his back pocket and took out a longer, sharper blade. Noticing the silver edges, beauty of the curve and gripped handle.

He took the knife at an acute angle, cut like a diamond on glass. Slit through her sleeve, skin, muscle, even the little bones in her wrist. Laceration to the muscle in her elbow, and cleft her shoulder with ease.

Flick of his palm, the organs tossed on the plastic without a care. Down to her pelvic were femur where they attached. He added more pressure without a crack on the blade, it cloven through the calcium with no frustration.

Lifted her leg in the air to cut the patella, moving his fabric fingers down her pants, between the medical malleolus and talus.

The blade was flooded in red, thick fluid as his final slit on the left side. Avoid the puddles, he mirrored her right as her left.

Now remaining on the table were her torso, neck, and head. He tapped the blade on her at the bottom of her rib cage, swung the edge in the air as it stops at her blouse.

Once more, sliced through the fabric with precision, he cuts under her stomach and above the small intestine. At the bottom of the thoracic and above the lumbar spine. Her torso was in half.

Therefore, his final incision was a horizontal slice across the middle of her throat as her head rolled off the table.

As the memory escaped her electric impulse and hand over meteorite heart. Halley’s body shook like low blood sugar as if she needs insulin. Breathe through her nose as if still can and an invisible contaminated air blew out her mouth. A couple more times to calm her empty heart.

This entire time I was never there. She grabbed the bubble wands. I never poured anything out of me purse. I never wore the dress. I never eat the sweets, nor did I drink the tea. The worst, I never touched anything. Her father never saw me. All those feelings I had were never there. Through her eyes, I am her imaginary friend. Halley theorized.

To my family or my friends, I could be lost or even. She dared to think of the word. Halley’s eyes widen, a tear fell. The hummingbird flew away, she looked back at Crescent and she smiled, not only with her lips, but her eyes as well.

Halley’s eye became shooting stars, light clear drops covered her checks. She looked down at her feet, no shoes, only socks as she remembered. She watched Crescent dance with the butterfly for a while. The same hummingbird appeared again. Flying around her.

“Ha-ha, hi.” Crescent popped right beside her.

“They’re so cute.”

“Yeah, they are super cute.”

“Halley, what type of bird are they?”

“A hummingbird.”

She looked back at the bundle of tulips, chills spread throughout her body, rubbing her hands up and down her arms. Her knees bided and close to her chest, wrapping her arms around her knees. The same hummingbird from before came back to the same tulip.

“Crescent!” Jay yelled, “it’s time to get ready.” Jay came up to his daughter. “Daddy, may Halley come with us to my birthday party?” Crescent asked in the cutest way. “Sure?” Jay confused, because it was only them there. Halley bent her legs out and hands behind her back with arms straight.

“Halley, I’m sorry. I didn’t ask you before. Would you like to come?” Crescent look in her eyes with guilt.

“I would love to come.” Halley smiled.

“Come my little princess.” Jay had his hand out like a butler on one knee.

“Thank you.” Crescent place her small hand in his as he lifted her gently of the grass.

Halley bind her body with one knee and hand on the ground, slowly lifted herself. What am I supposed to be? Halley confused by the thought as she stood still. She took a couple steps forward. I’ll be her strongest sense, I’ll become her intuition.

Through the door once more, she followed them up the stairs and back in Crescent’s room.

“Okay princess, what are the last things you’d like to bring to Aunt Miranda house?” Jay asked as he grabbed a backpack for her while Halley stood in the door.

Little Crescent feet steps made different patterns around her room, she grabs a blanket, her box of color crayons and pencils. She continued to grab more items as Halley slip through the doorway. Through her dark pupils, she realized her things on Crescent bed were not there.

She took a couple steps back and looked in the mirror again. Her costume she wore was still wrapped around her body. Whatever she liked she still had the imagination to change. She smiled and swirled with a flash like a shooting star her wardrobed metamorphosis.

Her legs were tied in fishnet stockings, a classic blue and black checkboard plaid skirt, blast-off blue long sleeve with a full moon design on the blouse. Her black boats spread apart, her right hip slightly up as her arms rest on her rib cage. Middle finger and thumbs were clasp together on each hand.

“Uhm! I like this new look.” Halley talked to herself.

“Uh! I love it.” Crescent broke through.

Halley twirls, binds her spine and places both hands on her knees. She smiles at Crescent, “thank you.”

“Hey Daddy, may Halley come to my birthday party too?” Crescent asked joyfully.

“Sure, she can, why not. Is there anything else?” Jay responds.

“Yeah!” Crescent yelled as she climbed in her bed to grab her book.

Halley lets go of her knees, crank her back into a straight line. Halley thought to herself, “Could it be? Has it been four months? Crescents turns 5 today. If I remember correctly her birth falls on October 10.”

Crescent hopped up from the floor and made her way to the kitchen table. She sat at her favorite spot. A platter of red velvet cupcakes with vanilla frosting, blue and purple star sprinkles were at the center of the table. Next to them were many mini tea plates. Aunt Miranda grabbed one and set three candles on the plate. She waved her hand over the cupcakes and pick one. She seats the mini plate on the table and add a cupcake in the center of it. Then, she penetrated the three; blue, yellow, and blue candles as Crescent watched her strike the magic flame on each candle.

“Crescent, do you remember what each candle means?” Aunt Miranda asked as she light the third.

“Yep, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.” Crescent pointed left to right away for the flame.

“Happy birthday Crescent.” Caster yelled as step into the kitchen.

“Great timing, Caster.” Aunt Miranda announced.

“Always.” Caster replied.

Crescent smiled like the brightest full moon of a dark night. Caster her gifts with the others.

“Happy birthday to you for you our little girl. Blow out your candle so your wish will shine.” Everyone sung.

“Make a wish.” Halley smiled brightly like a comet passing by. Crescent looked over her left shoulder and smiled at Halley. Her mini lungs stole the air as she exhaled became supernova. All three candlelight below into smoke.

She made her wish. They clapped for her. Crescent dipped her fingers into the frosting.

“Hmm!” she closed her eyes. “Would you like some peppermint tea to go with your cupcake, young lady?” Aunt Miranda asked. Crescent’s tiny mouth was dipped in the cupcake and the tip of her nose was covered in frosting, she pulled the cupcake away and shook her head up and down once as she chewed her sugary treat. After Aunt Miranda poured her tea, she grabbed a single cupcake.

Two and no more cupcakes, Crescent took the last sip of her tea. Aunt Miranda took the dishes to the snick. Her father cleaned the table and Caster placed Crescent’s presents around her. “Thank you.” She said joyfully before she opens her present.

Her small arm reached out a square present. To the touch it felt sold. Gently with her small figures she unwrapped the surprise was an activity book filled with puzzles and brain games from her father. At least 30 seconds to choose another present, similar square sold present, but this one was a bit bigger than the other. Unraveled the paper, she discovered a Zodiac constellation book. It ended up being a sequel to her other constellation book she got back in June.

Crescent was admiring her books, when Caster handed her another. “Thanks, Caster.” “You’re welcome.” She pressed her fingers against the wrapper, it was squishy. She tours and ripped the paper, her fingertips touched softness and her eyes read a navy-blue blanket with scattered silver stars.

The blanket was trapped by a white ribbon, so she pulled on the string. The blanket was free, and she unfolded it across her lap.

“I saved the best for last.” Caster handed the small square, similar size to a book.

“Thanks.” Crescent smiled.

“Aw! To Crescent.” Aunt Miranda reads.

“It’s from Halley.” Caster replied.

Her fingers like blades, tour through the final wrapper. She was hypnotized by the unique cover of the book like journal. “May I see?” Aunt Miranda asked Jay bent down and gathered all the wrappers and throw them away. Crescent passed the journal to her as Aunt Miranda flipped through the pages.

A small woosh! Fellow from the small pages as a tiny envelope fell onto her lap. “Uh? What’s this?” she unfolds the delicate paper ignoring the letter and distracted by the mini lumps and wedges in the paper. With a slight title, slip of silver chain with a yellow hummingbird poured out of the envelope. Her right fingers looped around the silver chain as the yellow hummingbird slept on her palm. “How pretty,” he thought, Crescent can wear this when she gets older.” Aunt Miranda smiles.

“Let’s go, Caster!” Crescent jumped once in the air for excitement. She had her blanket over her shoulders and held her favorite book in her arms. “Do you like your new pajamas?” Aunt Miranda asked. Crescent smiles “yep!”

“I’ll be there in a moment.” Caster glades through the house, finds a box of matches and a lantern. He rubs the chemical stick on the sandpaper as the combustion dance on the wood. Slow gesture the yellow chemical sows itself to wax yar, trapped in a cage glass as Caster waits for Crescent at the back door. “Thanks, guys, for cleaning up?” Aunt Miranda voice echoes through the house.

“Come on, Halley yelled across the kitchen. Aunt Miranda looked confused at Jay. “Halley’s Crescent imaginary friend. “Uh!” Aunt Miranda respond. Halley let go of her grip and pulled herself away from the background. “Hem!” Halley coughed, “Ahem!” she cleared her throat. Her footsteps pick up beside Crescent as they meet up with Caster. Caster twined the metal knob and pushed the door open as their soles of their shoes pressed against the gravel.

Caged in by many different of tress and gravel path to lead them to wooden stairs that grew into a porch each piece of the cabin was built by hand of Crescent’s father and her Aunt. Passed the door, up through the first floor, then the second, finally the attic floor. A bed cover with a colorful galaxy combined of blue background. Above on the rectangle ceiling a glass frame painted the night sky. Crescent was the first to land on the bed with her books spread out and her star blanket was wrapped over her little body.

Caster was on the left and Halley was on the other side of her. They searched for stars as Crescent little light went dem. Her small head rest on the pillow in the middle of them.

“Good night, Caster thanks for a wonderful. Sweet dreams, Halley.”

“Uh?” Caster thought. “Good night.”

“Sweet dreams, Crescent.” Halley whispered.

Crescent eyes fade into the unknown wonder of the world.

fiction
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About the Creator

Shane' Kummer

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