No Perfect Worlds
No Perfect Worlds
a short story by Scott Hendricks Š1994
Abigail walked along the banks of the gently flowing stream that snaked its
way through
the lush forest. Sunlight filtered softly through the thick foliage, and
reflected off the
crisp, clear water, catching Abigail's eye. Sunsparks, she called them, and
her
bright blue eye's darted back and forth as they flashed around the woods.
Crickets
chirped merrily this day and Abigail tried to sing along with them. With
pursed lips, she
whistled while vibrating her tongue. The end result being a fair
impersonation of the
young girls favorite insect. Though others would think it was stupid and a
waste of time,
Abigail was quite proud of this little accomplishment and she continued to
chirp as she
leisurely strolled down alongside the stream.
A small flat rock along the bank provided a comfortable place to sit and
Abigail,
already barefoot, dangled her small brown feet in the cool water. Tiny
brilliantly colored
fish approached unafraid and began to lightly nibble upon her toe's. This
always
caused Abigail to laugh aloud with glee. Her musical voice caressed the
forest, adding to
the chorus of crickets, frogs, and birds, which filled the air with natures
own symphony.
A giant butterfly alighted on her knee and flexed it's fuzzy wing's up and
down while staring intently at the little girl. She held out her finger and
the butterfly
leapt into the sky with a flash of color, circled once, then came back to
land upon it.
She brought the butterfly close to her cherub like face. Now they both
stared intently at
each other. Pursing her lip's again, this time in concentration, her
slightly chubby
cheeks revealed dimples. And when the butterfly's antenna tickled against
her small
round nose, the angelic grin set those dimples even deeper.
Abigail lay back on the moss covered rock lifting her finger and it's
occupant
high overhead. With a gentle flick of a wrist, the butterfly danced up into
the sparkling
light and swaying canopy of leaves and vine. She watched until it was gone,
then let out a
contented sigh.
A moment later Abigail heard a familiar rustling sound from behind her. "I
was
wondering when you'd get here!" she said jumping up with a quickness that
almost
defied her nine year age. She stayed facing away from her newly arrived
friend, waiting.
She heard the movement but still didn't turn, though a grin burst from her
face. Hot
moist breath flowed into her long brown hair which draped across her
shoulders. She
giggled while warm lips tickled the back of her neck until she could stand
it no longer.
She turned around to face her friend with such love that it almost pained
her fragile
heart. Gazing into his face, Abigail felt delight, comfort, happiness and a
score of other
wonderful feelings as he slowly backed away until she could see him in his
entirety.
Against a backdrop of leaves and wood the dazzling white unicorn stood
majestically,
like a painting come to life. His small hoof pawed the ground lightly while
huge green
eyes stared into Abigail's. The long single horn, which extended from the
middle of
his forehead, was smooth and polished with an almost mirror like finish. He
nodded his
head and let out a high pitched whinny and Abigail ran to him. She embraced
his neck and
ran fingers through the long silky mane. "Bree!" she sang "I'm so glad
to see you again!" The unicorn snorted in agreement while she hugged him
even
tighter.
They walked along together through the forest and because he was such a
small unicorn,
Abigail was able to drape an arm over the velvety neck of her companion.
Normally, she
would be telling Bree about whatever was bothering her, for he was such a
good listener.
But today she just felt like being quiet and enjoying the moment, which
could end at any
time. And even as these thoughts formed in her mind, Bree suddenly stopped,
his head held
high, muscles flexed, eyes alert.
"Where are you Abby?" A voice came out from the brush "Abby! Hey
Stinko!" Abigail cringed at the sound of her brother. Why does he always
ruin things?
she thought.
The sounds of the forest had ceased, and all that could be heard were the
clumsy
footfalls of Abigail's brother Roth approaching. He crashed through the
underbrush,
tearing branches and vines in his usual destructive manner.
Bree was quivering with fear, and before Abigail could stop him, he bolted,
jumping the
stream and disappearing into the silent woods. Just then Roth burst into the
clearing.
"Here you are stinkhead!" he shouted, "Why didn't you answer me? I
oughta kick your butt!"
Roth was bigger than Abigail, and a year older, But she wasn't afraid. "Try
it then idiot!" She growled "Why don't you go away? You're always wrecking
things."
"So what! I'll do what I want."
"If you don't go away I'm telling mom." Abigail felt like crying,
she had come here to get away from Roth.
"Tell her then, tattletale." Roth snided, "Mom sent me anyways to tell
you she wants you."
"What for?" Abigail asked
"Who cares? Just go back or your in trouble!"
"Tell her I'll be there in a minute." she said in desperation. She
wasn't ready to go back yet, it wasn't even fair, she had just gotten here.
"You tell her yourself cowbutt." Roth chided "I'm taking a
leak." and with that he began to pee into the clear stream.
"Stop that you asshole!" she screamed and pushed Roth into the water.
Blubbering and dripping Roth ran back into the brush shouting threats to
Abigail.
"You're gonna get it now you bitch!" and then he was gone and slowly,
once again, the sounds of the forest began anew. Bree popped his head out
from behind a
bush and let out a snort. Once more the two continued their walk, but this
time no longer
in silence.
"Oh Bree,"she couldn't hold back the tears, "I hate him so
much." She tried to push her face into his mane, but he pulled back, giving
her a
reproachful look.
"I know, I know,"she sniffled, "He's my brother and I love him
but...He's just so mean." Bree expressed his understanding by moving to her
and
she hugged him once again. Just then the ground shook. Bree's eye's flew
open
wide. Another shock tore the earth. Birds screamed in the distance. Bree
pranced about
excitedly. Still another tremor, and whatever it was, was getting closer.
Explosive noise
of splintering wood ripped the air as trees were crushed by something that
was headed
toward them.
And then it emerged. Standing over fifty feet tall, the Tyrannosaurus Rex
looked
down over the young girl and her unicorn. Rows of sharp teeth lined it's
mouth,
saliva frothed in anticipation. Bree panicked and danced away in retreat.
The T-Rex lunged
at Abigail who held her ground. His mouth gaped wide...Wide enough to devour
her whole and
he strained his neck toward her. Then from the thicket Bree leapt to the
rescue. He
galloped so quickly, the T-Rex had little chance to react. With head down
the little
unicorn drove the single horn deep into the monsters leg, penetrating the
thick leathery
flesh.
The T-Rex let out a deafening shriek of pain and Abigail cried out, "No
Bree...No!
Run! Get out of here!" But to no avail. Bree had backed away to make another
run.
Fear burned in his eye's, while the monster's showed only laughter, with
it's mouth curled back in a permanent sneer. Bree made his move, but the
T-Rex was
faster. It lashed it's head down and came up with the small unicorn gripped
tightly
between it's teeth. Bree was screaming now as huge daggers pierced his
quivering
flanks.
"Stop it! Stop it! Abigail cried out, and ran at the monster, kicking and
punching
him with all her strength. With a loud crunch, the T-Rex severed the unicorn
in half.
Bree... or what was left of him, landed wetly, next to Abigail, with a loud
smack,
spattering her with warm blood. She stood over Bree sobbing quietly. The
T-Rex reared up
over her, yet she made no attempt to escape. With a roar, he attacked,
darting down to
grab the next victim. "No!" she yelled, as the T-Rex closed it's jaws
around her frail body. The teeth came together with a loud snap and pulled
away, Abigail
stood unharmed. Once more the monster attacked, tearing through her lithe
form. Abigail
stood her ground, hardly noticing the violent scene. The dinosaur continued
to bite and
tear yet it's teeth passed through her as though she were but a ghost.
"Roth stop that!" An angry voice halted the attack. The T-Rex stood up tall
and looked at the woman who was approaching the bloody scene. He let out a
roar that shook
the world. "Roth!" the woman said firmly. Suddenly the Tyrannosaurus began
to
melt like wax, and in it's place stood a small ten year old boy with golden
brown
skin, jet black hair, dull blue eye's, and a sly smile upon his thin pale
lips.
"What's going on here Roth?" the woman demanded an answer.
"Aw mom... I was just getting stinko...I mean Abby, like you said too." Roth
hung his head.
"I've warned you about teasing your sister. Now, unhook."
"But mom!"
"Unhook!" her tone made Roth flinch. He reached up to his head and
disappeared.
Abigail was still weeping. "Come on honey," her mother said "It's
time for you to get dinner ready." Abigail didn't move "Look Ab, I know
your mad at Roth but try not to take it to seriously." She noticed the dead
unicorn
on the ground. "Hey kiddo, its not real anyway." She waved her hand and the
unicorn vanished along with all the blood. "Now unhook, it's almost five."
With that, Abigail's mother reached up and disappeared. Abigail let out a
sigh and did
likewise.
Blinking, Abigail's eye's adjusted to the dim room lighting. Removing her
headset, she laid it down on the terminal and ejected the program from the
computer slot.
Sticking the small metal disc in her top pocket,she pushed the chair back
from the desk.
Roth was not in the room but she knew he was close by. The cramped apartment
held very few
hiding places. She started to look for him.
"Honey," said her mother, "Just leave him alone, I'll take care of
it later." Abigail began to protest but her mother had hooked back into the
virtual
terminal and was already miles away.
Abigail stared out the grimy window of the fiftieth floor apartment. Above
and below
her the city stood, dark, filthy and decayed. Chemical rain drenched the
dying metropolis
night and day, and the smog would burn your lungs if you were foolish enough
to forget
your gear. She wondered if the world ever really looked like the one on her
disc. She was
going to ask her mother, but saw the glazed look in her eye's and shuddered.
"One day," Abigail thought, "I'll go to my special world
forever."
The end.
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