Call of the Aether.

Margaret sat in her apartment, listening to the pitter patter of little feet running through her apartment. She had put up screens all over the apartment to allow Hayden as much room as possible, to let him run to which ever room he wanted to. He flashed across the living room screen and stood in front of her and beckoned to her.

“Mommy! Catch me....Catch me if you can.”

And she leapt from her seat and ran clumsily after him. He jumped from one screen to another till in the end he was cornered in her room. He stood there laughing at the excitement of being cornered. She reached out to touch him but all she felt was plastic. Flat smooth plastic that divided her world and his. Innocent computer generated eyes looked up at her. She hugged the screen and so did he, both trying to feel each other.

“Mommy...why can't you come over to this side?”

“I will Hayden...the doctors are trying....I will come there soon.”

“Mommy....I want chocolate cake....”

Margaret felt helpless at this simple demand.

“Not today Hayden...I have to go and buy the ingredients, but forget the chocolate cake for now Hayden. Are you happy Hayden?”

“Yes Mommy but I miss you. I want you to carry me Mommy.”

“I will Hayden, I will.”

Hayden was three and a half when the accident happened. He was at the back seat when the car collided with the truck. The emergency crew had managed to pull Margaret out before the fuel tank exploded.

“The earlier he realises the truth the easier it will be for you and him.”, said the doctors to Margaret. It had been two days since he was introduced to this experimental treatment, he was the first. Margaret had faith in this new technology, she had to make it happen.

“Hayden do you want a hug from Mommy?”

The little boy nodded eagerly.

“Follow Mommy then.”

She led the way up the stairs to the outside of a room. The lights and screens inside were switched off.

“Mommy, whats in there?”

“I will show you Hayden, but you must not get frightened. Mommy is coming in with you.”

She opened the door and switched on the lights. Creaks of the pumps and the functionings of the life support system filled the room. She opened container and looked at the mutilated body that once was her adorable Hayden. She touched him tenderly and then went and switched on the screens around the room.

“You can come in now Hayden.”

Hayden came in to one screen, his eyes focused on the body connected to the Giant machines around the bed.

“Who is that Mommy?”

Grief engulfed her but she didnt have the heart to tell him.

“Close your eyes Hayden.”

Hayden then closed his eyes.

She picked up the limp body and held it tightly to her own.

“Can you feel me hugging you, Hayden?”

His computer generated body recognising the warmth that held him, tried to hug back but his arms could not touch anything. Margaret then kissed the body in her arms looking at the child in the screen.

“Keep your eyes closed Hayden. Can you feel Mommy?”

“Yes I can Mommy. Yes I can.”

Margaret then reached out for the remote and switched off the lights in the room.

“Go to sleep now Hayden.”

This post is inspired by a single mother I was hunting who introduced me to a very special young boy called Hayden. This story is the only fruit gained from that hunt.

posted by Kiro  # 11:02 AM