Night on Earth
(Micro Sci-fi) We are among those of Earth’s creatures that survived, Sky thought as the beast sunk beneath the thick, oil-slicked surface.
Stars hung in sheets around Sky, and thick fog blanketed the dock: a long-broken line falling board by board into the swamp. An alligator’s twinkling eye flashed among the half-submerged fairy rings of bald cypress.
“Just you and me out here buddy,” Sky said as the beast sunk beneath the thick, oil-slicked surface. We are among those of Earth’s creatures that survived, he thought.
The party roared behind him. The livestream holographic band was far too loud for anyone human, even at a distance, and his ears ached in the damp cold. Sharp laughter drew his gaze and he saw Marie’s silhouette against the illuminated fog of the rave, engaged in her beer, drinking in someone else’s eyes.
Sky exposed the flesh-colored screen embedded in his wrist and held it close to his lips. “I want to go home,” he said aloud and waited for the affirming vibration to indicate his message had been received by a shuttle and he’d soon be on his way out of the swamp, barreling through what was left of Earth’s atmosphere toward his bunk in The Comb. But nothing happened.
Something disturbed the matted grass, and he froze as his imagination recalled the leather-backed beast, this time opening its wide jaws, preparing to latch and roll. He turned quickly, teeth bared in an enraged smile, so instantly high on adrenaline he was no longer drunk but feral and prepared to kill. He crouched, back turned to the swamp, fists clenched tight as his eyes focused on the animal in front of him.
He saw two twinkling eyes and the sweat shine of a round moony face. Marie. She had only one word for his upturned gaze.
“Stay,” she said.