Till the Star Blooms

Chapter 3 - Sultan Twinkles

Summer 49

I had no trouble seeing my way through the dark. The cloudless night and the shining moon made it feel like it practically day, apart for the fact that everything was tinted blue. I paused at a stone bridge over a shallow stream. Leaning against the ledge, I looked up and gazed at the trillions of stars dotting the night sky.

“Wow, you don’t get this in the city,” I whispered to myself.

“Wonderful aren’t they?” I jumped at the smooth voice. I took a quick glance around but failed to see anyone. Did I just imagine it? I heard a chuckle. Instantly standing up straight I searched the road again for the owner of the voice.

“Who are you?” I cried out still searching.

“What’s a beauty like you, walking at night all alone,” the voice cooed. I could feel my heart race I swerved around looking everywhere. I froze when I felt a warm puff of air slid past the hairs of my neck. “Cause you never know who else might be out…watching,” the voice whispered in my ear. Jumping I quickly turned round to where I finally found the owner of the voice.

Looking up at him as he towered over me, he was equally as pale as myself, but unlike me, it didn’t stop there. His hair appeared silver in the moon light and his eyes a matching grey shade. As for anything noticeable in his attire were the dark shades of grey and black making his skin freakishly glow.

He smiled down at me, throwing me off balance. Backing away a little I felt my back hit the edge of the stone bridge again. I looked over to the cold water below before turning back to find his face inches away from mine, his eyes searching mine.

“W…who are you?” I asked again hearing the fear in my voice. He leaned back and chuckled again.

“I am what they call the Star Sultan,” his smooth voice slipped through the air with elegance. He was a proud one, wasn’t he, in a corny sort of way. Our heads suddenly snapped to the sound of someone calling out.

“Thief! Stop Thief!” I suddenly could make out Dr Carls voice as she approached.

“Thief?” I gasped and turned back to star boy. His expression creased a little, but only for an instant. I felt his hand lift my head so I was eye to eye with him again, where he continued to smile at me.

“I’m a little pressed for time tonight. Please forgive me, beautiful,” he skipped away. Rolling my eyes I turned to greet Dr Carl. She leaned against the bridge supporting her weaken self.

“Are you ok Doc?” I asked looking down at her puffing form.

“That Damn thief!” she yelled but had to stop and catch her breath once more. What a pitiful doctor. She looked up at me. “Yes, yes, I’m quiet alright,” she said straightening up. Shecould have fooled me. “Did he hurt you?” huh? I looked at her face closely.

“Sorry what?” I really wasn’t following her.

“That no good damn thief, did he do anything to you?”

“No, I’m fine. It was just…really random. I thought the country was supposed to be crime free?” The Doc laughed.

“You’re a funny girl. No, we still have crime in the country, it is considerably less than the city, but it’s still around. You should probably keep an eye out if that thief is around. You don’t want him stealing anything from the mansion do you?” she glanced at her watch and groaned. “Damn! Now I’m going to miss the start of ‘Doctors like Us’.” The late night soap opera? Was she really that type of person? I gave her a questioning look. She laughed and started walking back to Brookbery . “Be careful on your way back honey, and keep an eye out.” She waved and started trudging back. I looked back up at the stars.

“You really don’t get this in the city,” I sighed.