starfall

Searching

   Heart sat on the grass, coughing up water and dirt. His entire body was cold and wet. It felt like he could hardly breathe or see. He crawled onto his feet and stumbled away from the water, frightened he might slip back in. The water took his friend. His first and only friend.

   He couldn't hear himself think. He was terrified and trembling. To make matters worse, it was pitch black. The only light he could see were the stars, the moon, and the red of his own glow. Water streamed down from his eyes, his throat growing a soft throbbing pain. He didn't understand why this was happening. Why any of this was happening. He wiped away his tears, got back onto his tired, heavy feet, and walked along the river, attempting to remain a safe distance from it. It was the only way he'd find Star and his "home". He did say it was along the river.

   Heart took another glance at the river, fear washing over him again. He had never been in water like that. Sure, it rained and poured sometimes, but the water he had just escaped from was violent. He wouldn't wish for anyone to be trapped in there. Still, Star tried to swim back against the waters, even after seeing how it sent Heart into so much shock. He didn't understand why Star would do that, but he did know he had to find him again. He was still freezing, but he didn't care. There was nothing for him to lose at all. Step after step, he kept imagining seeing a yellow glow just around the corner. Star's warm smile. Something. Anything. He fought hard against his exhaustion, although each time he lifted his feet, he dragged himself across the grass slower. It was hard to keep his eyes open, but he kept trying. All he wanted was to see Star. The heart had never felt exhaustion like this before. It felt as if his own heart slowed. It felt as if his thoughts started to slur together. It felt as if his vision was fading. It felt as if... 

   Warmth hugged Heart's body as he woke up, his face planted into the grass. He must've fallen face first last night, he thought. Pushing himself off the ground, he looked into the sky, which was a bright baby blue. The entire night had passed and he was nowhere closer to Star than he was before he fell asleep. He knew that he couldn't really think or control himself when he went to sleep, but it still felt disappointing. The time was still going by though, so why not keep on going? Heart started running along the river, hoping to find his new friend at some point. He was thankful for the extra energy he had gained by sleeping. Truthfully, he had no idea that sleeping would actually help him. He just thought it was just something to pass the time when he was bored.

   Time seemed to disappear. It felt as if he was getting nowhere. He wondered if he could find Star by yelling out his name. Surely, he himself would react if someone did the same thing, right? So, he yelled. The word "Star" didn't even seem like an actual sound anymore. His hopeless hollering halted when a sudden crash echoed through the ominous forest. It was followed by a low groan, which sounded similar to Star's voice! Heart bolted into the forest, following the noises of rustling and whining. His heart raced with excitement. His eyes laid on what he expected to be Star, only to find nothing but shards of glass and uneven grass. He picked one up and inspected it, mesmerized. He had no idea something so clear and beautiful existed, let alone made the same sounds he and Star did! The world was a truly fascinating place that he had never even thought of exploring.

   Taking his shard of glass, he stumbled out of the forest, continuing his path along the river. He continued examining it, every step he took. He was disappointed that the voice wasn't Star, but once he found him, he'd have something amazing to give to him, as a thank you for throwing him out of the river.

   He was feeling something he never felt before. It wasn't very intense, but it was a nice feeling. Gratitude. Once he found his friend, he was going to do everything in his power to protect him. He wanted to give back. For some reason, in the back of Heart's mind, something terrible would've happened to him if he stayed in that water any longer. He hoped he'd never have to go in it again. He continued yelling out Star's name, not being able to wait to see his new friend again. Maybe he'd pass by the "home". Maybe it'll stick out, unique from the rest of the grass. Most importantly, maybe it'll have that yellow glow.