Honesty: The Next Fallen Child

Patience

July 31, 2002

"Do you really have to go?" A six year old Lilly asked, putting yet another box into her brother's car. At this rate, the car would be overflowing with boxes before too long, all filled with her brothers belongings and books. 'He's leaving, forever' Lilly sighed lightly, careful that her brother didn't hear.

"Yes, but it'll only be for a little while Blueberry" Lilly's older brother walked over and tousled her brown hair, almost dislodging the bright red bow, oblivious to Lilly's thoughts of despair. 'He'll never do that again. He won't be here to call me Blueberry either.' Once again Lilly sighed almost silently.

Her brother looked into one of the over crowded boxes, hoping to clear up some space "Hey Lilly! Think fast!" Lilly's brother tossed her one of his favorite toys, his plastic knife. "We used to play cops and robbers with this" Lilly whispered as she caught the slightly worn knife. "Take care of it, alright?" He bent down, hugging his only sister. "I'll want to play with you when I get back and I don't want to loose it up at the university, besides, you need something to remember me" Her brother pulled out of the hug and winked, making Lilly's mouth unconsciously go up into a smile.

"I'll see you in a couple of months, ok? Ms. Astly down the street will take care of you while I'm gone" He patted her shoulder almost reassuringly. "Goodbye Blueberry!" He waved over his shoulder, climbing into his car and drove down the street. As he drove down the street, Lilly's thoughts became darker. 'I'll never see him again, will I? I'll be living out the rest of my days with smelly, uptight Miss Astly'

"Bye" she whispered , trying to suppress her depressing thoughts as the tail lights of her brothers car faded into the distance.

Tears started to fill Lilly's eyes as she realized her only family was gone now. Batting at her eyes she turned to go inside and tidy up before Ms. Astly came over. 'I have to be strong, even if I am alone' As she opened the front door, a flash from the woods caught her eye. 'Probably a penny or something' she went to step inside, but then she saw it in the reflection of the glass door. A pure ball of light in the forest.

Excitement and adventure coursed though her, pressing back her thoughts of cleaning and sadness. Slamming the open front door,  she raced off the porch into the woods, Straightening her red hair bow and flattening her sky blue dress as she went. 'What is that?' She stepped deeper into the forest, following the shimmery ball of light in the air that seemed to move as if it were alive. Just being close to it, Lilly felt warm, and happy, which was weird, since her brother had just left, leaving a hole of emptiness. It felt as if the shimmer was filling that gap, and she didn't want it to be empty again.

Suddenly the ball started to sputter, as if just noticing the girl reaching out for it. In a bright flash, it began to stream through the woods, Lilly right on its tail.

Not paying attention to where she was going, nor caring when she would get back, she followed the shimmer , careful to make sure it didn't see her again, but still keeping it in sight. Low hanging branches snagged at her dress, but she didn't care, the closer she got, the feeling grew stronger, driving her faster.

Being careful not to rip her fluffy dress, Lilly stepped over a bramble, causing a nice clear crack! Suddenly, the shimmer brightened and darted into a barely visible cave. 'Drat!' Lilly yelled internally, chasing the orb into the cave.

Lilly remember your manners, Ms. Astly's rickety voice echoed in her head and she stopped. After all, running in a dress was a very unladylike thing to do. Taking a breath to stomp down her desperation and utterly failing, she re-adjusted her bow and dress and slowed her pace to a fast speed walk, stepping into the shadow of the cave searching for the shimmer. Besides, running in darkness with no idea what was in front of you is never a good idea. She looked to the left, sure that she saw a flicker of movement, but nothing was there, only shadow.