A quote: “Both young children and old people have a lot of time on their hands. That’s probably why they get along so well.” ~~ Jonathan Carroll

I’ll start with a story …

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Fox appears at the back fence the afternoon of Davy’s 6th birthday. Party guests have left and Higgins is snuffling around for bits of dropped cake while Davy races around fueled on sugar and excitement.

Higgins looks up, hackles rising and steps to block Fox from approaching, growling a warning. “Leave, Fox. Back to the woods.”

Fox cocks his head, looking from him to Davy and back. He coughs, a tendril of mist reaching out to settle on Davy’s shoulders. Higgins gives chase, loud enough Davy’s parents come running.

Higgins paces the house at night, laying across the doorway to Davy’s room as he’s done since infancy. A cough in the dark makes Higgins whine.

Days into weeks into months, Davy is failing.

The light is gone from Higgins’ family, and Davy has shrunk into the hospital bed he uses in the dining room.

It is a full moon when Fox appears again. Higgins blocks him from approaching the house, rumbles deep, “Why?”

Fox answers, “It is time.” He looks at Davy, now next to Higgins, clutching his fur, “It is my purpose.”

“No!”

Fox blinks, “Sometimes the egg doesn’t hatch, the kits don’t survive the winter. There are lists, balances.”

Davy nods but Higgins cries, “Take me!” And he looks up to the boy, “I love you.” Davy drops to his knees, “But I love you, too! You can’t go!”

Higgins watches as mist pours out of Davy and settles on him. As Higgins eyes close, he’s at peace. He realizes his purpose in life and has fulfilled it.

Morning comes as Davy’s parents find him asleep, a blush of pink across his cheeks, Higgins lying motionless next to him in the circle of his arms.

Good boy.

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Now, it’s your turn (and yes, I went over 200 words today. Feel free to write the story as it wants to be written)

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. featured image, cropped, Adobe Stock standard license