Keeping Him Alive

Untitled Part 7

I looked at the stars, pointing out all the constellations that I can out to Danny. He then pointed out at the one everyone had known, I didn't say that one because I knew he would end up saying it. And I kind of needed to hear his voice after the long moment of silence. He just pointed at the big dipper, not saying anything when I thought he was going to.

"What's it called buddy?" I asked elbowing his arm lightly, like as if he were a delicate flower. He has always been my delicate flower, but it now seemed like this flower was losing its petals and was dwindling down. I turned my head to look at him, my neck was stiff from keeping it in that position. I stared at him for a while looking at his barely visible freckles, trying to look into his beautiful brown eyes.....I felt his hand go in mine. I was startled, I hadn't even seen his hand move. He lifted his other hand again and pointed at the constellations.

"That one is the Big Dipper." He said in a whisper, so low I am surprised that even heard him. I nodded my head, tears trying to push their way through. I held them in, no more tears, there have been to many for these past few days. "I remember when you told me this one a long time ago, when I was a little baby." I laughed.

"You are still my baby." I leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek. I felt his tears on my lips, I pulled away and wiped the tears away with my thumb. He sat up and so did I. He was aloud to cry, anyone who is left with the impending doom of death is automatically given the okay to cry. He then leaned into me, and climbed into my lap. I sat him down and I rocked him. Singing him a song my mom sang to me.

"Oh my sweet child, close your eyes now. Let the stars and moon take you away, until you awake the next day. I love you my sweet child, it's okay. Just remember I love you, and you'll be safe. Hush now my darling, let the stars and moon take you away, until the sunrise brings you back for one more day."
In the last words my voice choked, Danny then looked up at me and began to sing it again.

"Oh my sweet child, close your eyes now. Let the stars and moon take you away, until you awake the next day. I love you my sweet child, it's okay. Just remember I love you, and you'll be safe. Hush now my darling, let the stars and moon take you away, until the sunrise brings you back for one more day."

He smiled, and this time he wiped my tears with his little itty bitty hand. I whispered to him. "I love you." He looked deep into my eyes, and I felt exposed to this little boy. He whispered back, "I love you more than anything Ana." I nodded my head. "I know you do, and I feel the same Danny." He put his head on my chest, and I hugged him. Smelling his head, he smelled like sweat and leaves. We stayed like that for awhile.

"I can feel your chest move up and down, like the rapids in the river. I can feel the beat of your heart." He said. He put his hand on my chest, matching his breath with mine. At this moment Danny sounded like an old wise man who has lived for many years to know how life works. Except this is a little boy, whose life being taken away too soon. His breath evened out, and I knew he was asleep.

I stayed there, thinking of how much time my little Danny had left. His mark looked like it had been there for a while. My eyes wanted to droop down, but I was not able to sleep. I couldn't just sleep, he could change anytime, I have to be awake when it happens, I have to be there. He moved around alot in his sleep, mumbling a whole bunch of nonsense.

I am surprised he hasn't changed yet, first thing in the morning when he wakes I am going to ask him when he was bit. I need to be sure of when he will change, just so I can make his last moments the best moments in his life. I am going to teach him how to kill, and we are going to go swimming, and I am finding him a damn candy bar even if it's the last thing I do.