Until Forever (1st draft)

Part the Seventh

Sleep can be an elusive lover; flirting with the brief suspension of consciousness, only to spurn you and leave you longing for more. Geneva had been struggling with sleep for longer than she could remember. In truth it had been since her mother's cancer had taken a turn for the worse. But for the remainder of this night---despite the drama of her home life, despite the inexplicable series of events that left her brain spinning, despite the traumatic state of mind that led her to attempt suicide---sleep finally returned to her eager embrace. After Sofie suggested they all try to rest until morning, Geneva quickly slipped into a deep sleep as soon as she curled back into Steekbunk's incredibly comfortable bed.

Her strange new companions didn't try to wake her. After all, there was no schedule or agenda that required it. They let her sleep until her body decided enough was enough. Until that time came Geneva slept like she had forgotten was even possible. She didn't lay there staring into space, unable to turn off the tormenting reality of her life as she had been for so long. She didn't drift in and out of consciousness, she didn't toss and turn. In fact, she didn't stir at all. Not until her eyes suddenly popped open and she sat up, wondering which world would be waiting for her this time. Not that she wanted to be part of either.

Across the room Steekbunk Lowbone and Filosophie smiled at her.

"Wow," she muttered as she flopped back onto the bed. "What year is it?"

"Pardon?" asked Sofie.

"It feels like I've been asleep forever," Geneva explained.

"Perhaps your body knows it must rest before the journey," Steekbunk commented.

Geneva sat back up. "Journey?"

"Did you not wish to return home?" he asked.

"Actually," Geneva replied as she got out of bed, "I didn't really mean that literally. Honestly I have nothing to return home to now. I meant that I just want to get back to...normal."

Geneva frowned. "Whatever that is."

She sat on one of the stump-like seats. Steekbunk brought her a warm bowl of wet mush that smelled nutty and fruity. She waited for a spoon until the egg-shaped being retook his own seat and then she remembered that utensils weren't the norm here. She just looked at the bowl for a moment, then her stomach grumbled and she dug in with her fingertips to scoop out a mouthful.

"Nourish your body first," said Steekbunk, "then we will depart."

"Sure," answered Geneva, "why not? After all, it is my destiny." She smirked at Steekbunk. "Besides, I can't imagine what could possibly happen next."

The room remained quiet while Geneva scooped a few more mouthfuls of the warm breakfast. She looked up and met their smiles again.

Look," she started, but then she felt uncomfortable with what she had started to say so she paused and looked at the two of them. The surreal scene before her was mesmerizing. She wasn't sure how long she just sat there staring at them before realizing they were still waiting for her to speak.

"I...um...I'm sorry about last night."

Neither of the two creatures responded.

"I said some things I didn't mean. I kind of insulted both of you, but I didn't really mean it. I was just...well I'm kind of stressed out as it is, and then I wind up in this fantasy land that's like some trippy movie.

"Still, there was no reason for me to flip out on you like that. You've both been very kind to me. I'm really sorry."

Silence ensued yet again, then Steekbunk spoke. "Flip out?"

"Yeah, that means..." Geneva paused, realizing any further explanation was probably useless. Instead she held up her empty breakfast bowl. "All done! Let's roll, I'm sick of being in this room."