soft soft static

look out the window. the stars are going to start singing.

you haven’t finished your breakfast, little bunny.

is it going to hurt like lots?

you see, there’s nothing to be scared of.

hang on. and we’re off!

and after that, it’s nap time.

i’m feeling sick.

so little hero, let’s see your hand.

oh, hey, don’t worry. come on, my bunny.

you’re not hurt, are you?

that’s my boy, that’s great!

you can climb on my back.

calm down, bunny.

see, it wasn’t that bad, you’re already better now.

hey, little rabbit, it’s bath time.

besides, i’m not a little kid anymore. i can’t play all the time.

you’re all muddy.

careful, because a deal’s a deal, you know.

i’m not sleepy at all.

we’ll build a super castle. that way, we’ll be super safe.

i have a surprise for you.

don’t be discouraged, my little bunny.

did you hurt your knees?

let’s pass the ball around.

ouch. it doesn’t look easy.

no way. monsters don’t really exist.

all right, then. first one to laugh loses.

well, well, looks like you’re in tip top shape.

please open your mouth, stick out your tongue, and say, ah.

you’re too small.

if that’s how it’s going to be, i’m not playing anymore.

you slept outside?

i’ve got some chewing gum.

you see, there was no need to worry.

well, what’s going on, my little rabbit?

no, i really, really hurt myself. ouch.

but you’re cheating, you can’t do that.

save me from what? i don’t need saving.

the secret is look straight ahead. whatever you do, don’t look down at your feet.

you’re playing hide and seek by yourself?

wait, wait, follow me.

i found what you were looking for.

let’s rest for a minute, okay?

when the tomatoes get bigger, a little elf comes and paints them all red.

i’m not going to have a good night.

okay, you win. you can come out of your hiding place now.

you know, you were really brave today and i’m really proud of you.

anyway, it’s time for your snack.

then, you’ll be able to swim by yourself, like a grown-up.

oh, my costume is all broken.

yum, yum, yum. i’m so hungry.

but don’t wander too far, all right?

let’s go and look over there.

it’s not a ghost, it’s me.

why don’t you want to talk to me anymore?

i’m so scared, i’m so scared.

oh, don’t sulk. here, i’ll give you a hand.

you’re actually really nice, you know.

why do you always have to be the boss?

oh, dear. oh, dear.

i hurt my hand in the big tree.

i’m never going to do it if you keep being noisy.

don’t force yourself to speak. just rest, and you’ll recover before you know it.

you’re just about soaked to the bone.

sorry, kiddo. it’s too dangerous.

don’t let your guard down just because the food was good.

poor thing’s been through terrible trauma.

if things go south, we can run.

oh, looks like you took a tumble.

there, there. you all right, darling?

you slept for quite a while. i was afraid your eyelids would stick together.

it’s time you learn some responsibility.

you’ve had to go through so much at such a young age, but you’ve never once given up. i’m very proud of you.

what’s your name, hun?

now let’s get you dried off before you catch a cold.

it just means don’t worry, dear.

sorry, but i don’t take orders from children.

there’s gotta be somewhere you call home.

why don’t you put your things away and hop in the bath before bed?

if you care for it and speak well of it, it will grow wonderfully, just like a person.

you gave me a fright, my child.

but remember this. it’s not your fault, love.

so if you don’t mind it being ancient, it’s yours.

just feels like home, you know?

have a good day, love.

you don’t need to be scared of the house, i promise. it only wants to help take care of you.

no one’s ever spent this kind of money on me before.

this tea is made from dandelion root. it’s good for you.

you said we were a family, didn’t you? you told me we’d stay together.

i promise there are no wolves around here.

use this knife to blind the beast.

i’m sorry to hear that, but don’t worry too much. if you just take it easy, it’ll be back in no time.

and then this sweet thing showed up. he’s soft and friendly, so i thought you’d get along.

wow, sounds like you’ve been through a lot lately.

well, don’t overexert yourself.

makes sense. i know how you feel.

this knife won’t work. ugh.

darling, let’s get going already.

i had to come. what if i didn’t and something bad happened to you?

you can leave all that to me.

stay away. you’re nothing but a parasite.

you don’t have to get so mad at me.

i know it’s around here somewhere.

and i keep wondering, why does this always happen to me?

and we’ll be here a while, so you’ll get to explore.

i’ve been worried sick.

you don’t have to answer now. let yourself get lost in thought for a while.

it’s pretty nice to have a safe place we can actually call home, isn’t it?

so the time has finally come for me to use this.

the flowers bloom even with no one to tend to them.

and i’m going to stay here, because this is my home now.

we’ll need to stock up on more food than usual.

what do you want to do? with your future.

you know you can always talk to me if something’s bothering you.

but after traveling here and there for so many years, it’s nice to settle down.

oh, my gosh. listen to you.

it’s a reminder that good fortune doesn’t have to be excessive, and we can find small moments of happiness every day.

maybe i’ll head into town today.

some of the packaging is a little damaged, but the food inside is perfectly fine.

you don’t have anywhere to go either, do you?

if we’re going to be living together as a family, i felt like it would be wrong of me not to introduce you.

knox watches as the kid tends to the cats, both equally gentle with each other. and smiles when august coos over the cats, worried for their safety. he looks over at the cats as they lazily saunter around, finding the last whispers of the day's light to lay in before nightfall. knox looks back at august, voice gentle when he speaks, "these cats are safe as they can be, and they know how to take care of themselves," he points to the food bowls all around, "they get fed by me, and nora, have you met her yet? she'd love you."

he points then to the flowers, bright and blooming, in large pots littered around the apartment building. this time of year carolina jasmine blooming in the newly arrived spring. there's a few bushes of hibiscus around too, with large pink blooms hanging off of them. knox smiles when he speaks, "nora plants all the flowers around the garden."

auggie goes to stand, hands inside hoodie pocket. “ i didn’t meet nora yet. ” it was pretty amazing of her and knox to help take care of the animals, though. his gaze veers toward the beautiful potted flowers. the florid fragrances were nice. “ well, you have a real lovely garden here. ” lights twinkle and draw his eyes to calm yellow. it engulfs the streets in rays. something of a poetic end to his day.

sam convinces himself of the necessity of this. teeth tapping molars sends electrical synapses through his brain, the watery and distended vestige of john's voice thrumming about his skull. he gently girds august's bird-bone shoulders, picking off a pill of lint at the seam of his hoodie. ' alright, auggie. you ready for blank rounds? we can set up some, uh, empty soda bottles, and see if you're a real texas ranger. ' the soft air to his intones is meant to alleviate, guide august away from the reality of why sam was refining his ability as a young shootist: there would be a day where he wouldn't be able to protect him, he was sure of it. ' the idea is, you won't ever have to use it. but, i just.. want you safe. '

On the turn of a dime, he's gone from the main focus to an onlooker himself, that stayed rooted in place rather than opting to flee. Stalling, given the nature of the disruption, and the perpetrator who, on second glance, sparked to life a glint of memory. What the shock had he just done?

Securing them both an exit route, by the looks of matters, that wouldn't remain available for much longer as he caught sight of the downed officer beginning to stir, Miguel made the decision to stow his questions away for later, stepping off the car with a groan of metal and springs as the vehicle's suspension adjusted to his shifting bulk.

Left short of options, running is exactly what he did, feet in motion got a second after he stepped onto the ground, head and neck craning to look back and see that the boy was keeping pace. The draw the ire of the authorities was nothing new for Miguel, though cover still felt preferable to remaining out in the open.

everything blends into color, sound. baby blue of skyline. blurs of building structures. the officer’s voice, a faraway, fading roar. the city, pulsing and bleeding beneath running footfalls. with escape a success, daring kid lets himself snail to fatigued lope. his lungs are on fire. as if he breathed gasoline rather than air. he staggers in close to spidery crime fighter. wheezing, half-smiling, “ right behind you. ”

august finally hawks his weaponized backpack over his knobby shoulder. the motion is small, tired. (perhaps attacking a law officer was reckless when you’re a fragile boy recovering from a cold. but he would save his arachnid acquaintance again!)

-

        ❝ YOU SHOULD HAVE been keeping a closer eye on him - ❞

        ❝ I MEAN - I did everything you asked ! The food, his temperature - ❞

        ❝ AND THEN YOU let him pass out on the floor ? Harold ! He should have been in bed if he was this sick ! What were you thinking ?! ❞

        ❝ IT'S NOT LIKE I knew he was going to do that ! He seemed fine - one second, he was eating, and talking, and normal, and the next, he's on the floor. How should I have known ? And that's why I called you, because - ❞

        ❝ OH - SHH, WAIT, he's waking up ! ❞

“ when i woke up, i heard a telephone ringin’. ” he whispers sleepily. “ but, then, i realized it was only my achin’ forehead. ” drowsy, pain-twinged laughter ribbons his drawl.

not without august, or alpine. keep them affixed, burst into a lengthy sprint, cheetah velocity. an upward of sixty miles per hour, maybe more if he pushed; they could cross state lines easier without a vehicle, he's sure he could manage it, tap into that experimental extraordinary alterations, the infinity serum chugging about his buried veins. he could.

but he doesn't. august is gingerly lowered until his sneakers are congruent with the ground, an affectionate palm briefly smoothing out a rumpled shoulder, all instinct. alpine remains pliant, as if she possessed an awareness beyond sentient, perhaps assuaged by the lack of sensitivity to sound. the vet had said she was partly deaf, that most white furred blue eyed cats were--