We walk together, hand in hand, through the dappled light of the forest.
You are my little brother and my best friend. All is right with the world.
We watch rabbits scurry and squirrels jumping from limb to limb.
Birds watch perched upon high tree tops singing their lullabies .
The earth is soft beneath our feet, the dankness of decay filling our noses.
Ahead the light becomes brighter. YES! Let's go and see what is before us!
We find a clearing - a meadow of wild flowers. Colorful and bright. Sweet smelling delight!
Ahead we see a castle. Excitement pulses through our veins. We must run through the meadow.
Crushing little flowers as we go, the sun warm on our faces.
A bridge made of stone and brick rises before us. We slow for a minute to take it all in but in a sudden movement, you rush ahead of me.
I hear a scream and run to catch up.
A mother python waits with her 3 babies curled around her. She is coral in color and a beautiful specimen. You were too curious and did not take caution.
She has bitten you and your hand bleeds. Your skin has turned so white it is nearly translucent. You stumble backward. Before I can catch you, you fall over the bridge's edge and into the river below.
I scramble down to get to where you lay amongst the rocks and icy water.
With heroic powers, I pick you up and carry you to land. You are dying in my arms. The castle is forgotten and I run as hard as I can to find your salvation.
Your breathing slows. I run through the meadow, into the forest, and my arms are growing tired.
Noooo! Please don't die. I fall to my knees with you in my arms. Your red hair seems even brighter against your ever whitening skin.
Are you breathing? I rest my head to your chest. A light, faint, slowing beat. My face is wet with tears. I am failing. How can I save you when I can no longer carry you?