ShopDreamUp AI ArtDreamUp
Deviation Actions
Literature Text
It was the same like every other night, well most nights. Tom was in his full costume with helmet and spear ready to run through the woods. He was filming in Thor 2: The Dark World. It was the middle of December and snow thinly covered the ground. The dead trees and snow covered ground looked a little like what a forest in Jotunheim would look like. They would have to change the scenery a bit to make it look more like Jotunheim though with editing.
Tom ran through the blocking for this scene and at the word "action" he began. He ran past the same trees and jumped over the same rock. Like always, he would looked scared and afraid. His destination was the pond. He was suppose to kneel down at the edge of the pond and look at himself then say that his a monster. After that, he would touch the water and watch his reflection waver. So Tom ran clutching his spear and some staff at his side. The camera man stopped to get a different view when he was near the edge of the forest but Tom halted just before reaching the edge. "Natsuhiboshi naze akai? Yuube kanashii yume wo miita."
Tom peer out from behind the trees and found a girl, not much older than 7, sitting at the water's edge, singing a lullaby. All he could see of her was her long shiny black hair that ran all the way to the ground.
"Naite hanashita. Akai me yo."
The little girl continued to hum as Tom stared mesmerized by her voice. It was like he was listening to an angel. He stood there quietly not wanting the girl to notice him. He saw that she was clutching something in her arms. It looked like a baby.
"Tom! Why did yo-" Tom turned around and hushed the crew with him. But when he turned around again, the little girl was gone. Tom runs out to the edge of the water and looks around. Was that just his imagination?
"Hey Tom, you alright? You've never just stop in the middle of filming." one of them asked.
"Yea I'm fine." he sadly looks down at the ground. "I just might need a short break."
"Oh sure, let's go back to the rest of the crew and grab a drink of water." The staff turn around and headed back. Tom was about to follow when he felt his foot hit something. He knelt down and picked it up. It was a soft small doll with two big buttons for eyes, yarn for hair and a solid colored dress. In the moonlight he could make out that the doll was stitched and most likely sown by hand, this was probably a home project. His covered it with his hands and looked around.
'This was probably the girl's.' Tom thought. 'I should keep it for the night and return it to her tomorrow.' He also wanted to hear her singing again.
"You coming Tom?" he heard one of the crew shout to him.
"Yea," he called back. "Coming." Tom put the little doll in his pocket and held onto his spear as he walked back to camp. On their arrival, a staff member came up to Tom.
"Do you need a break from tomorrow night? Cause if you feel stressed or too tired whenever you do this, you don't have to do it night after night." she offered. Though he didn't need one, he took the offer. It would give him a chance to maybe meet the girl again.
-----------
The next day, nightfall came quickly and once he was able to get out of costume, he ran back to his cabin and grabbed the doll from his drawer. Hopefully no one saw it. Careful not to disturb anyone inside and outside. Tom returned to the spot where he had to run and he ran again. He wished she would be there, to return her doll and to listen to her voice. He came to the edge of the woods to find her once more.
"Natsuhiboshi naze mayou, kieta warashi wo sagashiteru." Tom laid back against a tree and listened to her. He rested his head on he tree and closed his eyes.
"Dakara kanashii yume wo miru." she began to hum and started the lullaby again. Tom slid down the tree and sat on the ground. He brought a knee up and rested his arm with the doll in his hand on it. He continued to listen to her sing the verses over and over again. He felt all his stress and problems melt away and he felt each note flow into him like a river. It was so calming and peaceful. He would have wanted to listen to it forever. If he had listened more carefully, he would have noticed her little cough here and there. But alas after a few minutes, she stopped. Tom opened his eyes and looked at the girl, then at the doll. he quietly got up and walked towards her.
"E-Excuse me miss? I think-"
"You heard me yesterday too didn't you?" the little girl asked him without turning around. Her voice was soft and smooth. It was like like a song itself.
"How did you know it was me?" Tom stood next to behind her.
"That is why you have my doll no?" She turned around to face him. A delicate smile came on her face and her adorable cute eyes looked up at Tom. Her fair skin shined in the moonlight and not a teeth out of place. She was truly a little angel.
"Oh, yes." Tom handed her the doll and she brought a hand from under an object.
Taking it she said, "This is my brother, Alex. He turned two years old last month." The girl sadly smiles at the baby. But Tom couldn't see the baby's face or the body. He was completely wrapped in a blanket. He watched the chest of the boy to find it not rising and falling. He panicked.
"You shouldn't do that, the baby will suffoc-"
"I know." the little girl gently rocked it in her arms. She tried her best to contain her coughs. Tears rolled down her face. "He died this afternoon." Tom's mouth fell open. "Alex died from sickness. Just like this, in my arms. And he was finally able to say my name for the first time." The girl clutched her past brother in her arms. She rocked back and forth letting out quiet sobs and coughs.
Tom knelt down next to the girl and held her close. "Dear, that's terrible. I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope he is happy up in heaven." Tom stroked her hair to calm her down. After a moment of silence to pray for her brother, he asked the little girl.
"Where are your parents? And where is your home? They must be worried for their children, especially at this time of night."
She shook her head. "I don't have a home. I never knew my father and my mother died giving birth to my brother. And ever since I could remember, we've been homeless." Tom stared at her in disbelief. To be able to hold up on her own with a baby brother without a mother or father for so long was astonishing.
"You should come with me. So you are not alone anymore. I'll be your new father and everyone in the cast can be your family." He wanted desperately to help this girl. It would pain him to just walk away on her in this condition. She needs a proper home and a normal childhood. Not one where she could nearly starve to death or die of illness, alone, helpless, with no one to support her. Tom knew that it would be a huge task but if he could save her life, he would be able to sleep better.
"No it's okay." the little girl denied him. "I am most gracious that you offer me that extraordinary decision but I can not. I'm sorry." Tom was surprised by the was she spoke. It was almost mature for her age.
"But you can't just stay out here alone can you? It's the middle of the winter and you might freeze." Tom became worried.
"No please don't. I don't want to give you the burden of having to raise me."
"But-"
"Please, just stay here the night instead." the girl held onto his sleeve. Tom sighed and agreed. The girl brought them over to the trees to a pile of leaves. She layer down and patted the ground next to her as a signal for Tom to sit next to her. Before lying down, Tom took off his jacket and wrapped it around the girl. She made a smile and held onto her past brother. She smile even more when Tom pulled her into a hug. The little girl began to quietly sing her lullaby.
"You know," Tom whispered. "You have a very wonderful gift in singing. You could become famous if you're found about. Did you mother teach you this lullaby?" Tom yawned.
"Yes, this is sadly the only thing I know how to sing. And it's funny, my mother said the same thing when I first sang her song."
"Well I wouldn't be surprised. You have the voice of an angel." Tom's eyelid began to droop.
"You should sleep mister, you have to work tomorrow right?" the little girl questioned.
"Yes but I'll come back to spend the night with you again. Don't worry." Tom kissed the little girl on the head and stoked her hair.
"Thanks mister. Maybe I'll tell you more about Mother, or maybe I could teach you her song." The girl waited for a response but received none. She turned around and looked at Tom. He was fast asleep. She faced forward and smiled to herself. She sang her lullaby once more before drifting off to sleep.
-------
The next morning, Tom woke up with an incredible back ache. He heard the birds chirping and sat up straight. He looked around confused but when he laid his eyes on the sleeping girl, his expression turned into happiness and sadness. He remembered promising to return at night. Stretching out, he takes a look at his watch.
"Holy-! I'm going to be late!" he jumped to his feet still careful not to disturb the girl. Tom had to leave but he didn't want the girl to think that he abandoned her. He found card board and a marker above her head along with other various objects and near rotting food. He picked up the board and uncapped the marker. Tom noticed the writing on the board, "HELP PLEASE. SICK BABY BROTHER WITH NO MEDICINE." It nearly brought a tear to his eye, he felt so sad for the child. Having to fend for herself and a little brother. Quickly, Tom scribbled down, "Be back soon. I promise." and he signed it underneath the message. He got up and looked at the little sleeping girl. "I promise." Then he ran back into the woods.
"Tom! Why did yo-" Tom turned around and hushed the crew with him. But when he turned around again, the little girl was gone. Tom runs out to the edge of the water and looks around. Was that just his imagination?
"Hey Tom, you alright? You've never just stop in the middle of filming." one of them asked.
"Yea I'm fine." he sadly looks down at the ground. "I just might need a short break."
"Oh sure, let's go back to the rest of the crew and grab a drink of water." The staff turn around and headed back. Tom was about to follow when he felt his foot hit something. He knelt down and picked it up. It was a soft small doll with two big buttons for eyes, yarn for hair and a solid colored dress. In the moonlight he could make out that the doll was stitched and most likely sown by hand, this was probably a home project. His covered it with his hands and looked around.
'This was probably the girl's.' Tom thought. 'I should keep it for the night and return it to her tomorrow.' He also wanted to hear her singing again.
"You coming Tom?" he heard one of the crew shout to him.
"Yea," he called back. "Coming." Tom put the little doll in his pocket and held onto his spear as he walked back to camp. On their arrival, a staff member came up to Tom.
"Do you need a break from tomorrow night? Cause if you feel stressed or too tired whenever you do this, you don't have to do it night after night." she offered. Though he didn't need one, he took the offer. It would give him a chance to maybe meet the girl again.
-----------
The next day, nightfall came quickly and once he was able to get out of costume, he ran back to his cabin and grabbed the doll from his drawer. Hopefully no one saw it. Careful not to disturb anyone inside and outside. Tom returned to the spot where he had to run and he ran again. He wished she would be there, to return her doll and to listen to her voice. He came to the edge of the woods to find her once more.
"Natsuhiboshi naze mayou, kieta warashi wo sagashiteru." Tom laid back against a tree and listened to her. He rested his head on he tree and closed his eyes.
"Dakara kanashii yume wo miru." she began to hum and started the lullaby again. Tom slid down the tree and sat on the ground. He brought a knee up and rested his arm with the doll in his hand on it. He continued to listen to her sing the verses over and over again. He felt all his stress and problems melt away and he felt each note flow into him like a river. It was so calming and peaceful. He would have wanted to listen to it forever. If he had listened more carefully, he would have noticed her little cough here and there. But alas after a few minutes, she stopped. Tom opened his eyes and looked at the girl, then at the doll. he quietly got up and walked towards her.
"E-Excuse me miss? I think-"
"You heard me yesterday too didn't you?" the little girl asked him without turning around. Her voice was soft and smooth. It was like like a song itself.
"How did you know it was me?" Tom stood next to behind her.
"That is why you have my doll no?" She turned around to face him. A delicate smile came on her face and her adorable cute eyes looked up at Tom. Her fair skin shined in the moonlight and not a teeth out of place. She was truly a little angel.
"Oh, yes." Tom handed her the doll and she brought a hand from under an object.
Taking it she said, "This is my brother, Alex. He turned two years old last month." The girl sadly smiles at the baby. But Tom couldn't see the baby's face or the body. He was completely wrapped in a blanket. He watched the chest of the boy to find it not rising and falling. He panicked.
"You shouldn't do that, the baby will suffoc-"
"I know." the little girl gently rocked it in her arms. She tried her best to contain her coughs. Tears rolled down her face. "He died this afternoon." Tom's mouth fell open. "Alex died from sickness. Just like this, in my arms. And he was finally able to say my name for the first time." The girl clutched her past brother in her arms. She rocked back and forth letting out quiet sobs and coughs.
Tom knelt down next to the girl and held her close. "Dear, that's terrible. I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope he is happy up in heaven." Tom stroked her hair to calm her down. After a moment of silence to pray for her brother, he asked the little girl.
"Where are your parents? And where is your home? They must be worried for their children, especially at this time of night."
She shook her head. "I don't have a home. I never knew my father and my mother died giving birth to my brother. And ever since I could remember, we've been homeless." Tom stared at her in disbelief. To be able to hold up on her own with a baby brother without a mother or father for so long was astonishing.
"You should come with me. So you are not alone anymore. I'll be your new father and everyone in the cast can be your family." He wanted desperately to help this girl. It would pain him to just walk away on her in this condition. She needs a proper home and a normal childhood. Not one where she could nearly starve to death or die of illness, alone, helpless, with no one to support her. Tom knew that it would be a huge task but if he could save her life, he would be able to sleep better.
"No it's okay." the little girl denied him. "I am most gracious that you offer me that extraordinary decision but I can not. I'm sorry." Tom was surprised by the was she spoke. It was almost mature for her age.
"But you can't just stay out here alone can you? It's the middle of the winter and you might freeze." Tom became worried.
"No please don't. I don't want to give you the burden of having to raise me."
"But-"
"Please, just stay here the night instead." the girl held onto his sleeve. Tom sighed and agreed. The girl brought them over to the trees to a pile of leaves. She layer down and patted the ground next to her as a signal for Tom to sit next to her. Before lying down, Tom took off his jacket and wrapped it around the girl. She made a smile and held onto her past brother. She smile even more when Tom pulled her into a hug. The little girl began to quietly sing her lullaby.
"You know," Tom whispered. "You have a very wonderful gift in singing. You could become famous if you're found about. Did you mother teach you this lullaby?" Tom yawned.
"Yes, this is sadly the only thing I know how to sing. And it's funny, my mother said the same thing when I first sang her song."
"Well I wouldn't be surprised. You have the voice of an angel." Tom's eyelid began to droop.
"You should sleep mister, you have to work tomorrow right?" the little girl questioned.
"Yes but I'll come back to spend the night with you again. Don't worry." Tom kissed the little girl on the head and stoked her hair.
"Thanks mister. Maybe I'll tell you more about Mother, or maybe I could teach you her song." The girl waited for a response but received none. She turned around and looked at Tom. He was fast asleep. She faced forward and smiled to herself. She sang her lullaby once more before drifting off to sleep.
-------
The next morning, Tom woke up with an incredible back ache. He heard the birds chirping and sat up straight. He looked around confused but when he laid his eyes on the sleeping girl, his expression turned into happiness and sadness. He remembered promising to return at night. Stretching out, he takes a look at his watch.
"Holy-! I'm going to be late!" he jumped to his feet still careful not to disturb the girl. Tom had to leave but he didn't want the girl to think that he abandoned her. He found card board and a marker above her head along with other various objects and near rotting food. He picked up the board and uncapped the marker. Tom noticed the writing on the board, "HELP PLEASE. SICK BABY BROTHER WITH NO MEDICINE." It nearly brought a tear to his eye, he felt so sad for the child. Having to fend for herself and a little brother. Quickly, Tom scribbled down, "Be back soon. I promise." and he signed it underneath the message. He got up and looked at the little sleeping girl. "I promise." Then he ran back into the woods.
A little while later, the little girl threw a terrible coughing fit and was awaken from her sleep. "It seems as though I have caught my brother's illness." She looked to her past brother and held him in her arms.
Another tiring day of filming goes by and it was nearly ten o' clock. Tom rushed back to the cabin to get an extra jacket and some food he sneaked during hid lunch break. He opened the door and tip toed to the woods before making a run. All was well until he got to the trees.
"Hey! It's Tom!" Chris swung his arm around Tom's shoulder. Tom quickly hid the food.
"Oh hello Chris." Tom nervously eyed his watch. Ten ten.
"I finally found you! The cast and crew are just grabbing a little something to drink and talking around the campfire. Why don't you join us?" Chris said with a smile.
Tom politely pushed off his arm. "Sorry, I...um, I would rather be alone right now."
"What? That's not we Tom we know! Aren't you always up for a few jokes and stories?"
"Sorry, not today. I just want to be alone, to think you know?" Tom inched towards the woods. "Please?"
"Fine." Chris backed away. "If you ever change tour mind you know where we'll be!" the Chris ran back to the campfire. Once Tom was out of his sight, he ran through the woods as fast as he can. He looked a his watch, ten thirty. 'Fu*k!' he picked up the pace and arrived at the edge of the woods. But he heard no singing and he saw no girl. Tom walked to where they slept the night before and found his jacket, the cardboard, the other belongings she had and her doll.
"She's got to be around here somewhere, she wouldn't leave her doll, would she?" Tom muttered to himself. He started to look around.
"I'm here." Tom heard behind him. He whirled around to find the girl still clutching her past brother.
"Where've you been?" Realieved, Tom sat down in the pile of leaves.
"I saw the fire and wanted to see what it was." she sat down next to him. A sudden pain occurred in her chest but she did her best to limit her reaction. She placed a hand over her chest and slowly breathed in and out.
"Oh those are just my friends in the cast and crew. Having a few drinks and telling stories." Tom laughed. She smiled and leaned against his shoulder. He was a bit surprised at first but didn't move. Then he saw a shine on her dress. "What's that?"
"This," she held up a chain necklace with a small glass snowflake in the center, "Is my mother's gift to me when she died. She said it was her mother's and her mother's mother's and she wanted me to give it to my daughter if I ever had one. I guess you could call it a family treasure." she took it off and placed it in Tom's hand. He held it up to the moonlight and when he looked inside he glass, it was a kaleidoscope of colors.
"Whoa, this is amazing." Tom examined it in awe.
"Mother said that the family used to be rich. But then it went bankrupt and then they lost everything and ended up on the street." she said. Tom glanced at her.
"What happened to your father?" he handed back he necklace. "If you don't mind me asking." he quickly added.
"It's fine," she puts it back on. Then Tom heard her stomach growl.
"Oh! Here, I have food for you, it's not much but it was all I could sneak from the staff." He took out three rolls of bread and handed it the her. She looked at him and he put it in her hands. "Don't worry about it, think of it as a gift from a friend." He gave the girl a big smile and she returned the same. She took one roll and placed the other two on her borrowed jacket. "Keep that too, it must be freezing out here." He shivered a bit. The girls smile grew even wider.
"Thank you mister Hiddleston." she leaned on him again and slowly ate her bread. "So my father, I never got to know him. He fled Mother before I was born."
"That's absurd! Why would a father leave his own child and wife?" Tom became filled with anger.
"No, Mother said that she was never married. She was raped." Tom's eyes widened in anger as the little girl's body shivered. He clenched his fist and couldn't believe how cruel the world could be. To leave someone pregnant and on the streets was absolutely horrendous. The little girl noticed his anger and calmly wrapped are arms around him. "But Mother was glad she could have a child. And she claims she saw an angel when I was born. Mother said that the angel knew that I was going to be something great. That I was meant to do something. And later on when I learned how to sing, she said that this must be it. My voice was what was going to safe us. My voice was our hope. Mother would also say how I was like a saint. No matter what people said to us and no matter what they did, I would tell mother that I forgive them. I would always be smiling and put other people in front of me. When Mother had Alex, I would give her my food and any extra I had. I still ate but she needed it more than me. When she was sick, I never left her side. Mother said it was okay to be selfish a bit form time to time but I simply said that I like to help others. It make me happy when others are happy." Tom sadly smiled at her. It was a tragically beautiful story.
"Hey! It's Tom!" Chris swung his arm around Tom's shoulder. Tom quickly hid the food.
"Oh hello Chris." Tom nervously eyed his watch. Ten ten.
"I finally found you! The cast and crew are just grabbing a little something to drink and talking around the campfire. Why don't you join us?" Chris said with a smile.
Tom politely pushed off his arm. "Sorry, I...um, I would rather be alone right now."
"What? That's not we Tom we know! Aren't you always up for a few jokes and stories?"
"Sorry, not today. I just want to be alone, to think you know?" Tom inched towards the woods. "Please?"
"Fine." Chris backed away. "If you ever change tour mind you know where we'll be!" the Chris ran back to the campfire. Once Tom was out of his sight, he ran through the woods as fast as he can. He looked a his watch, ten thirty. 'Fu*k!' he picked up the pace and arrived at the edge of the woods. But he heard no singing and he saw no girl. Tom walked to where they slept the night before and found his jacket, the cardboard, the other belongings she had and her doll.
"She's got to be around here somewhere, she wouldn't leave her doll, would she?" Tom muttered to himself. He started to look around.
"I'm here." Tom heard behind him. He whirled around to find the girl still clutching her past brother.
"Where've you been?" Realieved, Tom sat down in the pile of leaves.
"I saw the fire and wanted to see what it was." she sat down next to him. A sudden pain occurred in her chest but she did her best to limit her reaction. She placed a hand over her chest and slowly breathed in and out.
"Oh those are just my friends in the cast and crew. Having a few drinks and telling stories." Tom laughed. She smiled and leaned against his shoulder. He was a bit surprised at first but didn't move. Then he saw a shine on her dress. "What's that?"
"This," she held up a chain necklace with a small glass snowflake in the center, "Is my mother's gift to me when she died. She said it was her mother's and her mother's mother's and she wanted me to give it to my daughter if I ever had one. I guess you could call it a family treasure." she took it off and placed it in Tom's hand. He held it up to the moonlight and when he looked inside he glass, it was a kaleidoscope of colors.
"Whoa, this is amazing." Tom examined it in awe.
"Mother said that the family used to be rich. But then it went bankrupt and then they lost everything and ended up on the street." she said. Tom glanced at her.
"What happened to your father?" he handed back he necklace. "If you don't mind me asking." he quickly added.
"It's fine," she puts it back on. Then Tom heard her stomach growl.
"Oh! Here, I have food for you, it's not much but it was all I could sneak from the staff." He took out three rolls of bread and handed it the her. She looked at him and he put it in her hands. "Don't worry about it, think of it as a gift from a friend." He gave the girl a big smile and she returned the same. She took one roll and placed the other two on her borrowed jacket. "Keep that too, it must be freezing out here." He shivered a bit. The girls smile grew even wider.
"Thank you mister Hiddleston." she leaned on him again and slowly ate her bread. "So my father, I never got to know him. He fled Mother before I was born."
"That's absurd! Why would a father leave his own child and wife?" Tom became filled with anger.
"No, Mother said that she was never married. She was raped." Tom's eyes widened in anger as the little girl's body shivered. He clenched his fist and couldn't believe how cruel the world could be. To leave someone pregnant and on the streets was absolutely horrendous. The little girl noticed his anger and calmly wrapped are arms around him. "But Mother was glad she could have a child. And she claims she saw an angel when I was born. Mother said that the angel knew that I was going to be something great. That I was meant to do something. And later on when I learned how to sing, she said that this must be it. My voice was what was going to safe us. My voice was our hope. Mother would also say how I was like a saint. No matter what people said to us and no matter what they did, I would tell mother that I forgive them. I would always be smiling and put other people in front of me. When Mother had Alex, I would give her my food and any extra I had. I still ate but she needed it more than me. When she was sick, I never left her side. Mother said it was okay to be selfish a bit form time to time but I simply said that I like to help others. It make me happy when others are happy." Tom sadly smiled at her. It was a tragically beautiful story.
"I can see it too. Your voice as hope" Tom said to her. He wrapped her in a tight hug. When he looked down, he saw her past brother on her lap. "Wait, what about your-"
"Again. Mother was raped again. I had to watch it, it looked really painful." Her grip tightened around Tom. "There really aren't people that do that right mister?"
He would be lying if he said there wasn't. "There are some really bad people out here in the world. You have to be careful to avoid them."
"You aren't one right mister?" she looked up at him with fearful eyes.
Tom shook his head. "Of course not." He gave her a kiss on the forehead. "I would never hurt an angel like you."
"Thank you." the little girl yawned.
He would be lying if he said there wasn't. "There are some really bad people out here in the world. You have to be careful to avoid them."
"You aren't one right mister?" she looked up at him with fearful eyes.
Tom shook his head. "Of course not." He gave her a kiss on the forehead. "I would never hurt an angel like you."
"Thank you." the little girl yawned.
"Go to sleep, you must be tired." Tom said. She nodded and instantly fell asleep. After lying her down, Tom spread the jacket over her and lied down next to her. He gazed up at the stars and put his arms behind his head. He couldn't even begin to imagine life homeless, cold and alone. It must of been terrible for this little girl. Even worse is that she lost her mother and little brother. She really is the last hope for her family. And Tom believed that with her voice, she could become what her mother wanted her to be. To have a good life, one better than her own. He looks at his little friend and fell asleep under the stary night sky.
------------
Tom wakes up with the sun rising, not alarmed like yesterday. Good thing it was just six o' clock. I leaned over the little girl and smile. She looked peaceful when she slept. He gently patted her head and left. Since it was Friday, they stopped earlier in the day, which means more time with the little girl. Tom liked that, he wanted to spend more time with her. He couldn't just leave her there knowing she was out there. He returned to the camp and quietly sneaked into his cabin. Throwing on some fresh clothes, he ran out the door and joined the rest of the cast to begin filming.
Five o' clock came around and Tom was already out of his costume. He bolted out of the dressing room and went straight for the woods grabbing another roll of bread. He arrived at the edge of the woods and Tom found her in the same spot singing the same lullaby. He walked to the edge of the water and sat down next to her giving her the bread. She took it, leaned on his shoulder and continued to sing. She felt herself grow weak and tired. For a long time, he sat there listening to her and before she started again, Tom took our his phone and recorded her singing. When her voice softened, he stopped to listen more closely. Before long, the sun was setting. She stopped and look up at her adult friend.
"Would you like to learn my mother's lullaby?" She asked while hiding a cough.
"It would be my pleasure." Tom responded. For the rest of the night until they slept, the little girl taught Tom her mother's song. Every word and every note, all the dynamics and the pace, every detail of the song not leaving one untouched.
------------
Tom woke up like every morning he had met the little girl, but today was different. Today he woke up to the sound of her coughing and vomiting. He snapped awake and hurried to her side.
"Are you okay?" He rubbed her back as she threw up some more. Tom put a hand to her forehead, his eyes widened in fear. "You're burning up! How long have you been sick?" She started to coughed up mucus that was tinted with blood. Tom hurriedly wrapped his two jackets around her and picked her up. When he got to the edge of the woods, the girl weakly tugged at Tom's arms.
"A-Alex." she pointed to where they lie. Tom didn't argue and gently put her down. He ran back and picked up her past brother. Coming back, the girl tightly held on to him as Tom dashed back to his cabin. She started to wheeze as he set her down on his bed. Tom dug through his bathroom to find a hand cloth and once he did, he damped it with cold water and placed it on her forehead. He removed the jackets around her and replaced them with blankets. Suddenly, the girl clutched her chest.
"What's the matter?" Tom was incredibly worried for her.
"It-it hurts. When...ever I breathe." he noticed that her breathing was faster than usual. The girl managed a smile. "But its okay, you don't have to worry about me. It's just a little cold. And you have work again don't you?" She started to cough again.
Tom pulled up a chair and stroked her hair. "It's okay darling. I'll take care of you for today until you get better, I'm sure it's okay to miss one day. Here drink some water." He sat her up and gave her a cup.
"But mister," she coughed after finishing her drink.
"No really, it's fine. This is a favor from a friend." Tom smiled at her. But he knew that this was more than just a cold. Her breathing was unnaturally fast and she was sweating. "Why didn't you tell me you were sick?" Tom held her small hands.
"I didn't want you to worry, you have your job to worry about." She started to shiver. "I-I d-didn't want to add t-to your troubles." Her coughing started to worsen.
"You wouldn't be adding anything." Tom pat her back. "It wouldn't of been a problem to tak-" Tom was interrupted by knocking on his door. "Yes?"
Chris opens the door, "Why aren't you outside...who is she?"
"My new friend, she's sick so," Tom puts a hand on her forehead again, "I thought...Oh my god her fever's gotten higher. Chris get someone from the medical team." Without argument or question, Chris ran out of his cabin. Within a minute, a doctor named Amy arrived and quickly examined her. The little girl continued to cough.
"Does anything hurt?" Amy asked. The girl pointed to her chest. Amy nodded as she took her temperature and checked her heartbeat. Before Amy got up, the little girl started to vomit again. Reaching for the trash can, Amy cleaned her up. When she was done, she ushered Tom outside.
"This can't be good." Tom said following.
"She needs to be taken to the hospital. She has pneumonia and a dangerously high fever of 109 F."
"Then lets go!" Tom turned around.
Amy grabbed his hand. "That's not why I pulled you out, my point is why do you have a girl? Where are her parents."
Tom looked at the ground. "She has none, she's homeless."
"Tom! You don't just pick up sick children of the streets!" Amy partially yelled at him.
"Calm down, I didn't just pick her. I've known her for a few days now, four days to be exact. She was in the woods and I met her when we were filming." Tom explained.
"That is no reason to get near her! What if she has a disease!"
"Well she doesn't does she? You just did a check up on her." Tom walked back to his cabin. "And if she needs a hospital then that's where she should be."
"Tom, you're filming today."
"Well the film can hold off for a day can't it? It's her health or just one production day, what do you think is more important?" Tom picked up the girl as she was still clutching her brother.
"Fine," she grunted. "I'll go tell Mr. Taylor." Tom grabbed his car keys and ran out the door. He went to his car and lied her down in the back seat. He quickly got in the drivers seat and started the car.
"Don't worry, you'll get better. I know it." Then he drove off to the local hospital. After arriving and telling the nurses of her condition, they got her to a room. After giving her antibiotics, the doctors left them for the girl to rest. Tom was surprised no one came for him in the middle of the day. Lunch passed and the evening came as well. The girl slept through the whole day holding onto her past brother. Around eight o' clock, the little girl finally woke up.
"Hey, how ya feelin'?" Tom pat her head. "Your fever has definitely gone down, but you still feel a little hot."
"Better." She smiled, but her breathing still a little faster than normal. "Can you sing for me?" She weakly looked up at Tom. Tom chuckled at her request.
"Natsuhiboshi naze akai? Yuube kanashii yume wo miita." Tom sung. "Naite hanashita. Akai me yo. Natsuhiboshi naze mayou." He executed each note very well and even if he missed a note here and there, it was most pleasing for the little girl to listen to. "Kieta warashi wo sagashiteru. Dakara kanashii yume wo miru." He finished the song and the little girl clapped. "Thank you, you still sing it way better." Tom smiled. She returned a smile to him.
"Thank you, but practice make perfect right?" Her voice raised at the end of the question.
Tom couldn't help but find it adorable. He pulled her into a tight hug. "Right."
The little girl pushed away from Tom and looked him in the eye smiling. "I'm glad I could pass on Mother's song."
Tom looks at her confusingly, "What do you mean, don't you want to pass it onto your own children?"
She shook her head and gave him a sad chuckle. "I don't think I'll have any. I've always felt that my life would come to an end when I'm at a young age. I think I'm right, this is that time."
"What?" Tom held her small hands in his. "Don't think like that. This is an illness, you'll get over it."
She lied down and glanced out the window. "No, when I was asleep, I dreamt about Mother. That hasn't happened in a long time. She was calling me. But I couldn't reach her, no matter how much I ran, she kept getting farther away. But then, I started to fly and I finally got close to Mother. When she embraced me, I woke up. I think that was a sign that it's my time to go." Tom didn't know what to say. He tightened his grip on her hand. He didn't want her to die, she has a full life ahead of her. She has her mother's dreams to fulfill. Wasn't she the last hope for her family? The little girl continued. "That's why I did my best to help others," she shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe I wanted to make an impression that no matter my age, I can be just as helpful as anyone older. Maybe this was my purpose, to tell my tale and put it in your hands to tell again or not. I'm happy I was able to make at least one friend in my lifetime."
"No. When you get out of here, I'll take you in." Tom stroked her hair. "You'll be my daughter and we could share that fabulous voice of yours with the world." Tom smiled.
She removed Tom's hand from her head and held it in her own. "I don't think so. I've served my purpose."
Tom's face was filled with sadness. He looked into her eyes. "You'll survive this, I promise. And what about being the hope for your family. Don't you think your mother would want you to have a better life?'
The little girl gave him a tearful smile. "That's what I thought at first. But after that dream, I think she changed her mind. I think one person like you is worth a crowd."
Tom felt all his emotions swirl inside him. A tear came to his eye. "Don't worry."
"Can you sing to me again? I like your voice." The little girl raised her hand and swiped Tom's tear. He nodded and began to sing. At the end, she clapped again. Tom opened his mouth to talk but then quickly shuts it. He realized that he never asked for the most important thing.
"What's your name?"
Before answering, she looked at him then outside. It was beginning to rain. She glanced back at Tom and weakly smiled. Her voice softened to a whisper. "Hope. My name is Hope." There was a slight pause before she spoke again. "And thank you. For caring, about me." At that moment she closed her eyes and her arm went limp. Tom's eyes widened with fear.
"Hope? Hope," Tom shook her arm. No response. He put a shaky hand to her neck to check her pulse. Nothing. He slammed the button at the head of her bed. The rain became even heavier. The next moment, nurses and doctors filled the room. Tom backed up. He watch them check her pulse and then connected her to a heart monitor. They took out defibrillators and charged it up.
"Clear!" A doctor yelled. Tom watched them press the defibrillators to her chest and saw the small heart beats on the monitor. He prayed that she will be revived. He didn't want her life to end this way. He was willing to give up his time to watch her grow and he wanted to share her voice with the world. To show them also her great kindness. He closed his eyes and cupped his hands. He paced the length of the room. Multiple time, he heard the word clear. He prayed it would work. Once again, he listened to them say clear and the sound of electricity. But then, came the sound Tom dreaded to hear. The long flat beep of the heart monitor. Tom came to a halt, eyes wide opened, hands falling at his side. Thunder struck outside the windows. Doctors and nurses packed the machine and filed out, each saying "Sorry." when they pass by. Once he was alone, he moved to the side of her bed and knelt. He rubbed her head. When Tom looked at her face, he saw that she was still smiling, like she was happy. Tom rested his head on the sheets and covered his head with his arms. More lightning and thunder boomed outside.
"Hope." Tom muttered. He could feel the tears in his eyes. 'You were definitely hope.' he thought. He longed to hear Hope's voice again and to hear her sing. Tom remembered, his phone. He fumbled to take it out but once he did he found the recording. He thumb hovered over the button. Tom looked at Hope for a few second before pressing play. He rested his head on the bed again and grasped the sheets. "You were definitely my hope." He poured out all his emotions, letting his tears fall like the rains drops on the window.
AI art: background views
the default size is 512 to 1024, but all images are being resized.✅without deviantart_watermark+ upload verious size 2048/3072/4096+anything theme of view BG✅But please note that my initials are in it.
$8/month
Suggested Collections
Featured in Groups
This is one shot i thought of one night. Its ah...depressing. I don't know if I nailed Tom's personality correctly but I tried. And what I said they were filming for Thor 2 is most likely wrong. I made it up on the spot. And I did my best to portray the symptoms of pneumonia and if someone were to die from it. I'm not exactly sure if its correct but i imagine it to be accurate.
The lullaby Hope sings is a lullaby from Naruto. It's called "Natsuhiboshi lullaby" Here is the link to it ==> [link] I don't own it and credit goes to Masashi Kishimoto.
Thank you for reading and please comment your thoughts on this.
The lullaby Hope sings is a lullaby from Naruto. It's called "Natsuhiboshi lullaby" Here is the link to it ==> [link] I don't own it and credit goes to Masashi Kishimoto.
Thank you for reading and please comment your thoughts on this.
© 2012 - 2024 HiddnLeaf
Comments39
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
Dammit I can't stop crying (beautiful story by the way)