Sergo-Z When Death Fell In Love With Life - Inception – Hello (part 4, in a 5 part story)

Clutching the gift to his chest, the wanderer hurried out of the forest. The thrown back hood was dangling behind his back like a grey rag, and the braid, casually thrown over his shoulder, strove to slip off with every step. The foliage rustled softly, parting in front of him, the emerald grass was like a carpet under his feet, the voices of birds, rushed after him, and above his head, a bright butterfly circled, every now and then, trying to fall on his shoulder.

Having reached the coveted forest edge, the traveler sank heavily into the tall grass. Holding the package in the palm of his hand, he froze, not daring to unfold it.

Finally, gathering his courage, he pulled the string that released the knot. The linen rag opened, revealing to the wanderer a snow-white egg, slightly larger than an earthly chicken egg. It sparkled softly in the rays of the setting sun, bewitching and attracting the eye.

“Well... And what should I do with this?” grumbled the traveler, gently touching the egg with his index finger. As if responding to a touch, it shimmered harder, and a crack ripped along its side.

The Stranger froze, afraid to move.

Now many small cracks covered the surface of the egg, and he carefully lowered it into the soft grass. A quiet "crack", one after another made shell particles fall off, and a blinding light poured from the openings formed.

What is it? The traveler covered his eyes with his hand, unable to bear the overwhelming emotions.

When he regained the ability to see, the egg disappeared. Instead, a small figure appeared in a light grey robe sitting on the grass. Leaning low to the ground, she hugged her shoulders with her arms. A deep hood hid her face.

“Where am i?” A gentle voice sounded, “what am I?”

The figurine slowly straightened up, the hood fell on her shoulders, and the traveler was amazed to see a small copy of himself.

Amazingly beautiful eyes stared at him trustingly. Crystal clear, transparent blue, they shone brightly in the holes of the eye sockets.

“Welcome, baby”, the astonished wanderer suddenly felt a pleasant warmth spread in his chest.

For several moments she carefully stared at the traveler. He was slightly embarrassed under her naïve, completely childish gaze.

"You are handsome... and you look like me," she said finally.

“That’s right”, he moved closer and touched his hand to her thin wrist, “we are alike.”

“Only I am white, and you are not,” - the little girl ran a finger of her other hand over the yellowish wrist of the traveler.

“It’s because I’m many years old, and you’re very young,” he explained.

(с) Adalinda Анна Никольская