A Decision Made

I tensely placed the phone back on the hook and smiled, a coy smile, although no one was around to see it. A split second later I was frantically darting about the house scurrying to get ready. I was brushing my teeth and putting my left sock on as I was hopping back into my room to rather my belongings. A balancing act. Doing three things at once, maybe it was slowing me down but it deemed fulfilling.

War was upon us; time was nothing to be forsaken. The feeling of pure panic overtook my entire being. Was I overreacting? No. I was in no immediate danger. But Rumsy! The journey, for him, from there to here would be a test of valor in itself. Pictures raced through my mind, maybe like when your life flashes before your eyes as you take your last breaths of life. I saw various incompatible monstrosities, bulbous eyes, grinning jaws, horns, stings, mandibles. Images of twitching feelers, rasping wings, slimy coils, and curling tentacles haunted my every thought. These creatures seemed to me anything but likely on an alien world.

Their armies were great, large enough to conquer an entire planet. They were unheard of. They loathed of insects, snakes, and things that squashed and squelched. They all played there horrible symphonies over my nerves. But the reality would be worse. It would be of extraterrestrial otherness, something one has never thought of, never could have thought of.

I would be lucky to ever feel his powerful arms embrace me again. Wherever Rumsy was, he was frightened. I could sense it. He was in grave danger. I could feel the anxiety growing. It was becoming stronger, like the enemy. The clock ticked. There was nothing I could do. So weak, so fragile. And so I waited in the darkness, in fear, in apprehension. The clock ticked.

I could see him approaching from the distance, cutting the fog with the edge of his sword. I peered through the dusty window as he arrived but I soon fled up the stairs before he could lay eyes on me. I then waited in the shadows until he came to the entranceway. He put his face to the foggy glass. Only when I knew he could see me, I continued. I gracefully and eloquently floated down the stairway, lifting the corner of my long velvet frill dress, for effect. He greeted me with stars in his eyes and a kiss in my pale hand, equally as charming.

And suddenly! He was eager, brave, he was my knight, my prince. He took my hand and led me to the saddle. His grip was passionate. I felt him grow in strength as if the very sight of my splendor renewed his bravery.

Come now my princess, Averis. We must make hast before these repulsive creatures catch our trail. We must leave all and fly to the planet of Venus. For this my love, is the only way.

Once upon the winged charger we rode into the sunset, my arms at his waist. We left our homes in flame and ruin; our friends powerless. For death would surely find them. But still we rode on, never looking back; I never even dared to.