ONE: Sora Sky

“Welcome to Mount Hisho, enjoy your stay.” The guard greeted warmly, bundled up under wool and sheep skin. “You've must of came from the region of Nicour.” He added.

I nodded, taking my passport back. Chow held her's up. The guard laughed.

“Good to see you Chow-li.” He smiled, petting the dog's head. “And it's good to see you too Miss Sora.”

I whistled for Chow to follow. She licked the guard's face before following me again.

“You crazy Chow? You're lucky Stan was on shift, otherwise I'd have to go through the whole Point-Check ((Customs)) again.” I patted her head. Chow was my only companion.

Mom died when I was ten, the day after she got me Chow. I never knew my dad. Nora had left to join the Commission. But that was six years ago. I worked for four years, saving as much money as I could to feed Chow and me. It wasn't until two years ago I heard of Aney, the local myth. It wasn't until last Autumn did I see her. Since then I've kept up my search to find her. She was the only reason I strived each day. The adventure gave me something to occupy my mind on.

The world's changed since the Apocalyptic 2012. Countries are now considered Regions, Governments and Militarizes are considered Commissions, and the last places where Aney was spotted within the time-frame of 2012 till now (Reprise 10) are called Mounts. The Earth lies in a half-battered state. Sephora, the uncontaminated portions of the Earth, cannot be reached by any boat or transportation. Where most of the world's population is at is on the other half, the contaminated part of Earth, Gozu. Gozu is broken into four Regions with sub-divisions. Nisai is to the North, the coldest region. Nicour to the West, where more moderate temperatures are at. Tesho is to the East, the weather mimics Nicour, and Teko is to the South, just as cold as Nisai.

Mount Hisho held nothing but ice-made shops and hotels. Every building was made of ice. The Summer weather only brought the temperatures up very little. I checked into a Motel. The shops relied on travelers and fellow citizens to survive. Some of the Sub-divisions held no Government and therefore everything remained free. It was in these sub-divisions that peace seemed to stabilize. I grew up in a Commission occupied sub-division. I saw no pride or power in the Commission itself.

I sat on the block of ice that was my bed, thick wool covering the ice to make it seem inviting and less unappealing. Chow laid across my legs. I was bundled up from head to toe just like the guards. I had trouble strumming the cords of my guitar because of the thick gloves I wore, but I managed. I dug in the messenger bag I had for some very old papers I had. Mom said to keep them in page protectors. She also said they came from the time before 2012, so they were very delicate. I looked over the familiar tempo and notes. The artist was called Bright Eyes. But I highly doubt they exist now. I played my favorite piece humming the lyrics. I couldn't read too well, it was something I gave up on after Mom's passing. But I could tell the rhythm because of the notes.

I traced my finger under the title sounding out the vowels and constants. Thinking about reading made me want to read.

“A.. p-per-fect s-son-net...A perfect Sonnet.” I smiled and spent the next hours slowly reading all the words scrawled on the page. I suddenly remembered the joy of reading.

“...but when she knew a girl and you named her lover, dance with her in kitchens through the penis summer, Autumn came, she disappeared and you can't remember if she said she was going to. But you know that she's gone, cause she left you a song that you don't want to sing. Singing I believe in love that should be chained together, turn into a fire that with the softened letter left there to burn, left there to burn...” I stopped strumming like crazy, and singing loud enough for my neighbor to hear when Chow barked at me. “Oops.”

I curled up on the ice-block and laid down the worn acoustic. I smiled at Chow and patted my legs for her to lay on. She did so. It had been three months since last Autumn, so snow was on its way. I fell asleep dreaming nothing.

 

“So you're Sky Sora,” My guide greeted. Her hair mimicked mine, except her eyes were violet and her hair was a dark turquoise. “ I'm Sora Sky, your second cousin on your mother's side.”

“Mom must have had a large extended family then. Seems everyone knows my mom...and is related to me.” I mused, wiping my eyes. It was about four AM, the ideal time to start hiking to the flat edge summit of Mount Hisho.

“So, Sky, how's the guitar practice coming along?” Sora asked with a grin. She pulled down the ear portion of the hat more. “I heard you playing like crazy last night.”

I flushed. So I was playing a little too loud, so what?

“I was just messing around.” I said defensively. Sora laughed warmly.

“You're cute Little Sky.” She took my hand and led me up the path. The heat from her hand reached mine, causing a blush to cross my face. “How old are you?”

“Sixteen. I'll be seventeen come the next full moon.” I said, keeping up with her fast pace. She had such long legs, pale and gorgeous. Then I realized she was wearing shorts. “WHY ARE YOU WEARING SHORTS?!” I demanded.

“I'm use to the cold. Plus I can't feel anything in my legs, but somehow my nerves still allow me to walk.” She said sadly. “I feel as if Aney has given me something I wanted for the past ten years. I couldn't walk a step two years ago.”

“Sora-san, have you seen Aney?”

She smiled, “Not yet Little Sky.”

 

We continued walking until nine PM, stopping to eat and take a bathroom break, and rest for the night.

I climbed into the tent. I was exhausted. Chow laid beside me so, I threw a blanket over her.

“She's a pretty dog, Little Sky.” Sora said zipping the tent shut. “I had a black Chou. His name was Zook.”

“Chow's been with me since I was ten, she was a puppy then.” I said placing my hands behind my head. The lantern's light casted battered shadows across the tent walls. “Why do you call me Little Sky?” I asked.

“Because you look like nothing's going to stop you, almost like the sky itself. The sky is open, having no boundaries, just like you.” Sora zipped up her side of the two-person sleeping bag. “You have much to learn Little Sky.”

“It takes an entire year to reach the summit right?” I asked, petting Chow.

“When you turn seventeen Little Sky, I believe we'll be on the summit.” Sora's fingers intertwined with mine. She was so affectionate to me...I didn't understand why.