Abdo in space (2)
Abdo kept staring at the feline sitting on his chest, and when nothing else happened, he tried to close his eyes and go back to sleep.
- “Oh is that what we’re doing? Pretending I didn’t just talk to you?”
Abdo reluctantly opened his eyes.
- “Hey Cat.”
Its emerald eyes were staring him down with mild annoyance.
- “Really?
- What?
- Is that really all you have to say right now?” The cat asked while licking its paws.
- “Sorry, I’m just a little confused, I guess.” Abdo answered, trying to scratch his beard but unable to move his body.
- That’s all right.”
A few moments went by as they silently looked at each other.
- “So… Abdo started.
- Uhuh.
- It’s a little hard to think right now. Can you give me a hint?”
The cat’s eyes seemed to double in size for a second.
- “Hey Abdo?
- Yeah.
- Have you talked to a lot of cats lately?
- I don’t think so.” Abdo replied nonchalantly, and then:
- “Wait a second. How are you talking to me right now?”
The cat joined its paws together as if applauding him.
- “There you go! Good job buddy.
- Yeah, thanks.”
A little silence went by again.
- “Well?” Abdo asked.
- Well what?
- You didn’t answer the question.
- Right. Well, it’s complicated.”
Abdo scoffed and rolled his eyes.
- “That’s kind of lazy.”
- I’m saying you wouldn’t understand.” Cat replied as it stretched its body.
- “Yeah yeah. Said every sci-fi author too lazy to come up with an explanation.
- You really wouldn’t. It’s like trying to...
- “Yes,” Abdo interrupted him. “Like trying to explain to an ant how nuclear reactors work. I’ve heard that one before.”
Cat shrugged and went back to licking its paws.
- “Are you like, an alien? Abdo asked.
- What? No man, I’m a cat.”
Abdo gave him a piercing look, and Cat chuckled.
- “Yeah all right. I’m an alien, you got me.”
Abdo nodded, simply accepting the explanation as if someone informed him it would rain today.
- “Makes sense.
- You are one strange creature, Abdo.”
For the first time since the beginning of their conversation, it just occurred to Abdo that he had no idea where he was. He felt like he was still floating. All around him, darkness extended to every possible direction. A strange red star was shining in the distance.
- “So are all cats aliens or something?” Abdo asked just to fill the silence.
- Of course not. We just take on the appearance of other life forms sometimes.
- … Why?
- Just to pass the time, really. We’re bored as shit, mate.”
Cat yawned loudly then added:
- “We’re kind of immortal, relatively speaking.
- I see.” Abdo replied politely, even though he didn’t.
- “Aren’t you going to ask me where you are right now?
- I think I’m dead, Cat.” Abdo replied, all matter of fact.
- That would be a bummer, after all the trouble I went through to save you.
- Huh. So if I’m not dead, why am I floating in space with no suit on?”
Cat started to reply, and Abdo gave him an angry look, as if daring him to answer that it’s complicated
- “All right. Cat sighed. We’re like, in another realm of reality, or whatever.
- That’s very helpful.
- Thanks.”
Cat gave Abdo’s cheek a lick before continuing:
- “Think of it like a repair station for spaceships. In this case, you’re the spaceship, and your body is being repaired right now. Pretty neat, right?
- Right.
- In a few hours, you’ll wake up in your ship’s medical bay, and you’ll wonder if you hallucinated the whole thing. And just to fuck with you, I’m not going to say anything to you after you wake up.
- Well that’s just mean.
- Ah well, it is what it is. We kind of like our privacy, and last time we made contact with your species they made a whole big deal out of it.”
The red star silently exploded in the distance, giving birth to millions of particles that showered the dark skies with colours.
- “Kind of stupid, really.” Cat remarked.
- What?
- Going through all this trouble. You could have just stayed home and slit your wrists or something.
- Yeah. I just wanted to feel something in the end, I guess.
- And did you?”
Abdo suddenly had a huge smile on his face.
- Yeah. Yeah I absolutely did.”
The particles from the red star were slowly making their way towards Abdo and Cat, travelling stubbornly and beautifully through the vacuum of space.
- “Afraid our little interlude is coming to an end, my friend.” Cat nonchalantly observed.
Abdo could feel his arms come back to life. He gently stroked Cat’s fur.
- “Anything you want to ask me before you wake up in bed and wonder if you’ve gone insane?” Cat asked with a purr.
- Will it get better? I mean, will I feel good now?
- Ah, maybe. But, probably not.
- I’m going to stay depressed for the rest of my life then? Abdo asked with a melancholic smile.
- Probably. That’s your boulder to lift, friend.
- Aren’t you like an all knowing alien? Don’t you have some alien wisdom for me or something? Abdo snapped.
- “Dude, why do you think we wander around the universe? We’re just as bored and depressed as you. Only we’re immortal, remember? I’ll have you know that’s a lot worse.”
A shooting star exploded at their feet, and Abdo felt everything turn white. He heard Cat add:
- “We just live day by day, and try to find meaning wherever we can. Just like you.”
Abdo wanted to reply, but he felt his consciousness start to slip away.
- “I’ll see you when you wake up. And never try to do dumb shit like this again, you hear me? Don’t you dare leave me alone. “
Abdo smiled vaguely, then slowly drifted to a dreamless sleep.
You’re gonna carry that weight.
The ending felt both comforting and unsettling, did u want readers to leave with hope or with acceptance of uncertainty??
RépondreSupprimerhaha, no I would never give readers hope.
Supprimerbut it's up for interpretation, I don't want to tell you how you should feel! :)
Wow, no hope at all? Brutal i respect the commitment though 😅
SupprimerIt made me sit with the discomfort longer than I expected