11-18-2012, 09:50 PM
His tiny hands clutched each other with such force that his knuckles grew white, as if that would make his wish any more real. His voice, muffled by choked-back sobs, tried to yell out his wish once more. Yet, only inaudible, unrecognizable squeaks were elicited. Instead of words, tears poured out, streaming down the pale child's cheeks and dripping onto the soft grass below him.
It was ridiculous, wasn't it? To wish on a star was a completely incredulous idea. Even Damien understood that wishing on a star was mere folklore. There was no mysterious entity flying hundreds of thousands of miles above his head granting wishes. If there was such a thing, then wouldn't everyone be happy? Wouldn't everyone have a fairy tale life with a princess as a bride or prince as a groom? Nothing in the world could ever consist of sparkles and rainbows - not in this world.
Damien took a few shaky steps backwards until he felt the bark press into his skin. With that, his knees gave in, and he collapsed on the ground in a heap. He hugged his knees close with his forehead resting right on top. For the first time in months, maybe even years, Damien began to wail. A hoarse bawl of utter anguish permeated through the quietude of the forest. As though afraid of the child's sobs, the trees seemed to curl away from Damien, as did the tiny creatures of night, which had all scurried off by that moment. Even the crickets ceased to chirp their nighttime lullabies. Nothing could be heard through the din of the child, not even a peculiar crashing sound in the distance.
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