Starsong

Scene 10

{--} Tok {--}

          Tok curled up on the sack, feeling the warmth of the fire against his back. The woman had taken it out after Ren had agreed to stay-- a choice he was thankful for. Yes, their last stay had ended in a panic and Piya falling unconscious for hours afterwards, but this was something Ren had actually, willingly agreed to, and Tok trusted her judgement.

          I wish I could trust mine.

          He frowned at the now-familiar, still-alien pulsating in his back. Why had he taken it on? What had he been thinking?

          He knew what he'd been thinking-- he had to get it away from his father. But that didn't ease the stress of his world crashing down around him. He didn't know if he was doing the right thing, going with Ren, potentially dragging her and Piya both into this. He didn't know at all.

          He curled in tighter, a soft sob rising in his throat.

          "Can't sleep?"

          Heros's voice was soft and warm, and Tok looked up to see him cast in the firelight. He looked down at Tok, half curious and half tired. Tok stared up at him for a few long seconds, opening his mouth and finding that nothing came out, before finally, slowly shaking his head. Heros's face softened even further.

          "...Yeah. I guessed. Are you, uh..." His voice faded as his eyes flicked down to Tok's bandaged ankles, "Are you feeling any better?"

          Tok rolled his ankle to test it. It was still sore, undoubtedly, but after a few days and some care, it was no longer the sharp, raw, ripping pain it had been. He looked back up and nodded.

          Heros smiled, "That's good. I, uh, was about to go somewhere, but I thought... It looked like you needed it, too. Are you up for a walk? Do you think you can walk?"

          "Where is it?" Tok finally managed to say softly, careful not to wake Piya beside him.

          "Not too far. Just a little ways out, and the path is smooth. Besides, I thought maybe it would be good practice? When my dad is working on patients with leg injuries, it helps them to walk with a little support. To get used to walking again."

          Tok nodded, then hesitantly tried to get up. Pain bloomed in his wrists as she shifted his weight to them, but now it was tolerable with little more than a wince. He slowly, shakily tried to get onto two legs, and Heros came over and supported him with one arm.

          "There you go." He said, "Come on. Let's go."

          Tok winced slightly as he took the first step, his ankles still weak. But after the initial change, it started to feel... better. It still hurt, yes, and he needed Heros to steady him, but he could actually walk. Heros led him out the door, onto the packed-dirt path, the layer of loose, powdery dust soothing on his feet. Tok stared up in wonder at the stars-- there were so many, so bright. The one experience he was truly deprived of in his life underwater. On even the first day he'd run away to the surface, nightmarish as it was, they were... everything.

          "Not yet." Heros whispered, seeing where Tok was looking. "It gets better."

          Tok stared at him blankly. The stars could get better?

          Heros led him over to a stone tower that reached about twice as high as the little buildings, and helped him step onto a little wooden platform. Tok looked around-- the platform was suspended a little above the ground with rope, a rope that stretched all the way up to the tower and back down. What was this? He watched as Heros, while still supporting Tok with his arm, grabbed one of the ropes with both hands and started to pull it down. Tok jumped in shock as the platform-- and them on it-- started to move up. He watched with wide eyes as he rose above the ground, the platform swinging gently, the stars getting closer. By the time they reached the top, Heros tied the rope securely into a little notch in the stone and let go of the rope. Tok stepped out onto the platform, now staring up at an endless expanse of stars, above the trees and buildings that always obstructed his view.