The Prodigies: The Return of Equinox

Chapter Forty: Little One and the Man

"What a pretty creature you are." said a voice a short distance away. "So very pretty."

I looked in the direction of the voice. There was an old man making his way to me. I tried to move away as fast as I could but he then appeared in front of me. What was going on?

"I'm not trying to hurt you." He picked me up gently and brought me to his face. I took the chance to strike at him but he moved me away from his face and backed away. "Well, I can't say the same about you I guess."

He tapped the top of my head and a bubble appeared around me. I was stunned by what had just happened. What was this?

"I don't think I've ever seen such a pretty snake like you before. At least not a natural one."

"What do you have there master?" A boy had come from behind him. "Is that a new snake?"

"Yes, this one is exceedingly the beautiful specimen."

"Master! Why do you keep bringing snakes home? I hate snakes!" How rude, I thought. Well, I don't like people either but you don't see me saying that to you.

"See! You hurt her feelings! What have I told you about being kind to all animals?" Wait. Did he hear me?

"Stop just saying stuff you old goat. For all I know, you could just be lying about all this animal nonsense. I just want to save my village! Teach me how you did it!"

"In time young boy. In time. Maybe once you can hear the animals, you can save your village. And yes, Little One, I can hear you."

My mind went blank at his words. He was nothing like I've ever seen before. I didn't know how to react.

We soon started making our way, or rather, He, started to make his way to where He lived. It was a big tree, well, bigger than usual. Bigger than any tree I had seen until that point. I remember it fondly.

"Here, Little One, you can roam free in this little box until we find a suitable home for you in the tree." The box that he took out of his pocket fit nicely in his hand. It was no bigger than his palm and he expected me to fit into it. I was hesitant. I didn't like such small spaces. I coiled up in my bubble where I at least had room to do so comfortably. "I know it looks small, but the inside is much bigger. Trust me."

He placed my bubble directly over the opened box and let it float down until it made contact with the rim. The bubble popped and I was dropped into the box. I closed my eyes as I fell, but I didn't fall for long. I ended up in a grassy field, and I could taste mice in the air. At this point, I didn't know what to think, but I was more hungry than curious. I hadn't eaten in days.

After what seemed like a couple of years in this new environment I was then plucked from the ground by this disembodied hand. After I was lifted a foot off the ground my whole world dissipated into the sides of a box and then into the home of the man that had grabbed a long time ago. This time, the boy wasn't with him. Instead it was a young man. He wore similar clothes, but he definitely wasn't the same person. The old man though, he was just the same as ever.

"I'm sorry if it seemed I had forgotten all about you. It may have been two years since I opened the box I put you in, but for me, it was fifteen years of training this lad over here. I still don't think he likes snakes."

That made no sense to me, but that was ok. I didn't mind it anymore. I was just a snake, and this man must have been my maker. Maybe even the maker of all things I've seen.

"Remember how I said that you were the prettiest snake in the world?" I remember that. Did he find a prettier one? "Well, I haven't found a single one as pretty as you. Not even close." I liked that. I liked that a lot.

"If you like that, you should hear how He's been talking about you all these years." said the young man. "Master hasn't gotten even the slightest bit tired of the thought of you."

"Remember what I've said about things that you find truly special? That your mind can never really let go of them. Even if you are upon the verge of death, or beyond, you will never quite forget what really mattered to you. I know that the many times that I've died so far I haven't forgotten of anything that I really held dear."

"You really are crazy."

"Maybe, but you'll learn to accept when you've gone crazy too. All in due time." I think I had started to grow to love him at that point. Truly. While I may have not been in danger, I think he saved me. Somehow, I still think that he's out there. Somewhere. Making sure that the entirety of the earth doesn't split apart at the seams. I still remember the last time I saw him.

We were near a pond. He talked and talked about various things and he would pet me as I was coiled around his arm. It was as though I grew in his presence. Not in size, but, rather, in other ways. I can't say for certain. But I know things that I didn't know could be known. I think he loved me too. At least it felt that way.

"This is your home now Little One. You must defend it. I cannot help you in this task. You must find your own strength from this point."

"Please don't leave. Did I do something wrong?"

"You could never do wrong" he said with a tear building up in one of his eyes. "I must do an important something. I promise it won't take long."

"How long do you think it will take?"

"I have no clue, but I'll have my student visit you every now and then. It'll be a yearly visit. I know that he still doesn't like snakes."

"It's been a hundred years now!"

"I know, but there are just some things you can't really get over."

"Am I one of those things for you?"

"Of course, and you always will be." He kissed the top of my head and started to walk off. I think that was the first time I cried. But I'm not too certain. I could never remember if I can cry or not.

I never did say goodbye, Calorn.