Traum von Asterhive

The Dumbwaiter

"This has been going on for an awfully long time, hasn't it?"

Knight hummed in agreement.

"Are you bored too?"

The shadow was silent, then turned into a bird and perched on your knee. He sang a song equal parts musical number and commercial jingle, then topped it off with a Mexican grito.

You clapped when he finished. "Thanks, Knight. That was great."

He seemed to smile with his little bird beak just as the dumbwaiter shook.

Your eyes widened and you curled tighter into yourself. Knight wrapped himself around you like a blanket. He didn't let go even when the metal walls ceased shaking. You found yourself grateful for that.

"This place is tumbling down, isn't it?"

You felt yourself being hugged tighter.

"Where do we go after this, Knight? I'd like to go home but. . ."

You don't know where that is. If it even exists. You blink to get the blurriness in your eyes away, but it won't leave. If anything it becomes worse. You breathe and it comes as a hiccup. You blink faster and tears fall.

You're crying, alone in a dumbwaiter that may never open, with nothing but a shadow for company.

"I miss home," you muttered.

Knight hugged you tight. He didn't have a home, not really. He was just a lost shadow you found and cared for and kept around. His home was probably his owner but neither of you knew who that was or how to get to him. It was sad, but nothing could be done about it.

"Thanks Knight," you said. "I wish I could find your owner."

I wish I could find your home, he seemed to say.

You stayed like that for a while, a child and a shadow offering each other what little comfort could be given.

Then, the dumbwaiter stopped. Its doors scraped open, and Knight shifted into a snake ready to strike.

Your eyes met another's and you froze.

"Caramel?" you whispered.

The boy with bunny ears stared back at you, then broke into a smile.

"It's you!"