Straight Ahead

The boy’s leg was frozen mid-step. For a few tense seconds he didn’t move. An unsuspecting bird hadn’t noticed him and didn’t know it might be in danger. Then Archie lowered his foot, untied and kicked off his sneakers, and ran off happily in just his socks—probably headed home.

-Oh no… Yuki worried. -Now he’ll catch cold or step on something sharp.

-What do you mean? Socks are like bulletproof vests for your heels, Lil C. argued, sounding more reasonable than before.

-My stomach’s growling. All those imaginary candies made me starving, her brother rubbed his belly. -Too bad I didn’t at least grab that lemon-drop caramel…

-You’re always about food! Yuki waved him off. -We’ve only been wandering around the subconscious for a while, but out here it’s barely been any time since breakfast.

-Feels like forever. And it’s two against one: me and my belly. He smirked.

Yuki narrowed her eyes mischievously. -Fine. I’ll cook your favorite dishes today and tomorrow—if we go find someone else to help. This time we’ll act properly, so it really makes a difference.

-For beets? Anything! Lil C. agreed. And off they went again, strolling the streets of their little town.

Only a second had passed since they’d returned from Archie’s mind. Nothing in the real world had changed. The sun hadn’t even reached noon yet, and a hot, prickly wind brushed against their faces. They ducked into a corner shop for bottled water, then stepped outside again and spotted the fence across the street.

Next to it bustled a tiny, fiery grandma. Her broom swept as if it had a life of its own, moving so fast she still had time to pat the little dog rubbing against her leg.

As the kids drew closer, they heard her humming a beautiful tune. Her voice was high and soulful, and every time she sang she transformed into an opera diva.

But it lasted only a few lines. Then she’d hunch down, glance around nervously, and lower her eyes to the ground with guilt. It was clear that singing lifted her up, yet something quickly clipped her wings and weighed her down.

-We have to help her. That kind of talent can’t go to waste! Yuki decided. -You can’t be afraid of your real self. She’s singing from the heart, you can tell.

-Well said. Lil C. nodded. -Kinda corny, like a movie line—I can’t remember which one—but yeah, I agree.

-So, are we doing this? Yuki asked directly.

-Oh yeah.

Through the prism of their glasses, they looked at the old lady—and Yuki gave the order:

-Dive deep!

Even as the familiar gum stuck to their eyelids, Lil C. was already shouting: -No breaks! Straight ahead!