Number Six

Sa woke up early and heard Atee singing, dangling her feet over the edge. Sa didn't want to interrupt her so he lied down pretending to sleep. He appreciated the music she made with just her voice.

Atee sang about people leaving and dying and never coming back. She sang about guardian angels who looked over the creatures of the planet, and she sang about those angels among the living who would sacrifice everything they have if it could save somebody else. She sang about the vastness of her life, about how young she was and how long she would live. She sang about what a perfect place this world was and how wonderfully happy she was to be able to share it with so many others. She sang as loud as she could, but never did it strike Sa as too loud.

Sa peeked open on eye as she sat down and painted on a large leaf. Sa wondered how long she had been awake and how long she would wait if he stayed asleep all day. A dream tried washing over Sa but he pushed it away and sat up.

Atee somehow noticed he had gotten up and somehow Sa knew she was smling.

Atee walked back to the edge and let the leaf go. It took off like a feather into the wind, which was always gentle and soft.

They decided to go back to sleep. Sa waited for the dream to overwhelm him and he fell asleep wondering what she was dreaming about.