A child sat on the floor of a cave, playing with a cat-like creature. The boy's four eyes were an unusual shade of icy blue and grey. His pendant, sea green with aqua swirls, circled with silver metal, bumped on his bare chest as he chased the creature. His mother watched him as she cooked, smiling. His father was out gathering whatever he could find, as today was the boy's seventh birthday.
The boy jumped at the creature, crashing to the ground.
"Link, be careful!" his mother chided. He looked up at her and smiled, showing off his teeth. He had said little during his short life, but, of course, he hadn't been exposed to any other Nadic except his parents like most Nadic children.
He crouched, getting ready to jump at the creature again when the vines covering the cave entrance were thrown roughly aside. Link's father rushed in, a look of panic and anger smeared across his face.
"They're here." he gasped. Link's mother took a breath and walked over to her child, picking him up.
"Link, honey, you need to hide," she said to him calmly yet urgent. He nodded. They had prepared for this.
An explosion rocked the cave, gravel raining from the ceiling. She put Link down, running to the entrance, putting on her boots. Link rushed to the cave entrance and embraced his mother, then his father.
"Love you," he stuttered, trembling. His mother draped a cape over his back, buttoning it across his front. She kissed his head, his father hugged him again. The three of them sneaked outside, watching as tens of Nadic soldiers marched up the hill towards the cave. Link gave his parents one last hug, and ran into the overgrowth. He heard a roar, followed by the cracking of ice and the rush of water, but he didn't turn back. Like his parents have told him many times before,
"You can't let them find you."
☆
He ran and ran. He could hear gunshots. Yells. He heard the roar of his Failen. But he didn't turn back. He couldn't. His mother would be mad. His father, too.
Tears were filling his eyes.
He might never return to that cave.
And, deep down, he knew his parents wouldn't, either.
YOU ARE READING
Silence
Science FictionA child, born on a planet with two moons, on an island with a powerful curse. The planet Nadyre is beautiful. It has five islands: Jelimun, Dramitt, Ransumi, Artimac and Senapri. Jelimun's a lush, green meadow, dotted with thick forests. Dramitt'...
