From: Tree Spirit <dryad48@aol.commoner> Subject: [PW!] Anything Date: Thursday, October 21, 1999 1:09 AM Among much of the swaggering oaks, an old stone well covered in vines rested itself. Beyond the thick and thins of the mist it stayed, alone as if nothing every cared for it or bothered to stop by and welcome it with open arms, or at least give a friendly wave. The mists erupted themselves throughout the open fields of dead grass, the crying forests of falling leaves and depressed chirps from both the sparrow and the cricket, and the towering, noble mountains of the north looking down to their kingdom with as much disgust as pride. The lonely well itself, seemed to back away into the land clouds, becoming a facade, then a blur, then. . . . . . nothing. "The doctor said you'll be just fine." Derrick overheard Neo speaking to an awakening Rigel. He heard the handoff of a wrapped gift and the fainted tearing of newspaper. A sore throated 'thank you' followed. And the gap in the silence was healed once again. Along the other end of the hallways, Dernam was just awakening too the playful companion Eevee by his side. It ran up to him softly holding a small, silver coin in it's mouth. The rain was still humming along with the cantana of the blisteringly cold autumn breeze. The drops battered themselves in the soil, trying to penetrate deep holes, only to fail along with the others and become imprisoned within the walls of whom they had attempted with all their might, to confine. As the well observed the falling water, it wanted so desperately to have anything to do with it. Anything woud be fine. Even to be attacked by roaring stars of ice proclaiming war between the heavens and the earth would be a praise to it. It recieved no dampness from the sad repetition. A wooden plank of boards hanging itself overhead prevented it. Also, the trees blocked away most water with the few ruffled leaves and bent stems from high above. The slight glistening of the lines were only a few meters away, but it seemed as if the path to the clearing had lost it's end point. The inside of the center seemed feel quite different. Derrick looked back to see the others had fallen back asleep on the couch. Lucky them. They felt no sadness. He thought they felt no sadness. He thought all the sadness was sucked out of everyone in the world dry, and absorbed by his torn soul. No bandages could ever heal and hide the scars from the knives of regret which slashed repeatedly at his soul. Clouds hid away light from the midnight sky, only revealing a few spots that the round, yellow moon forced through. The partially moonlit floor of the world sought one to admire it's beauty, but all was asleep. The mice had burrowed into their small tunnels along the hills, resting in their beds of soft dirt and crisp, brown leaves. The sparrows, swallows, and even the owls had fallen from the troubles of their pitiful lives, into a transe of sublimity deeper than the deepest of oceans. The crickets were chirping, but in their sleep only. the autumn winds were too busy dancing with the falling leaves to notice a thing. The moonlit floor recieved as much attention as the old well: None. If it could, then the well would proclaim the moon with the greatest of appretiation, but it was too wrapped up in it's own self being. The porch light showed a still, eerie glow. From there, a few dim lights had made their way through the dirty windows of the center to the outside of the world. A boy stood on the opposite end of the window observing the slow, steady, and calming suroundings. He felt very alone. Though his friends were just a few strides away, they were not enough to satisfy his needs of companionship. A few amusing conversations here and there would gladly fill his soul with happiness. Then, it would be gone the next day. He would be alone. Derrick slid the creakly door open and stepped outside. He put his hand over his forehead and searched for the shadow of the lonely well. He had nothing better to do that night than to keep it company. He slowly strided into the darkness and caught sight of it. He had forgotten to take out a rain coat, but there was no turning back. This was a one-way street with no signs. He tilted his head slightly back to the center only to catch a glimpse of the dull lights and silent music. The rain was forcing itself onto him now more than ever. It matted his hair down, soaked his pants, shoes, and skin, and refreshed his eyes. As Derrick took some shelter from it under the canopy of trees, he smelt the moist wood mixed with a sensation of pines and nothingness. He kelt down to pick up the dead leaves. They felt somewhat brittle and stiff, like snowflakes. He enclosed his shivering palm on it and it crumbled so swiftly and easily as if it didn't care if it was ruined. Awaiting him, the well stood only a few feet away now, and Derrick was sure taking his time. He stepped up to the small platform in which it rested itself upon and looked in. The dark waters revealed an old penny sleeping at the bottom. This well was fairly small, but the most simple and beautiful ever. "A long time ago, someone came up to this well, dropped the penny in the water, and made a faithful wish," Derrick thought to himself. "Did it come true?" He didn't care and took out spare change from his pockets. There were a few dimes and a nickle. The nickle would do. He dropped it in and made his wish privately in his mind so the wind and trees couldn't overhear it. The untraditional nickle was placed in the pond, not a penny. Could this alter the wish? Hopefully not. To Be Continued Sixpence None The Richer Anything "We're all tired and we'd like to know, If we should pack our tent, Shut down the show. Yes we should like to see A burning bush type sign, Anything would be fine." _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ~Dryad48: Weekly Quote: "Be yourself, who else is better qualified?" -Frank J. Giblin II "Hide people from bad things, and you've made them weaker." -Me