A Talking Fish?

Chapter 2

As I stomped through the forest, winding around the thick trees, I was distracted by a strange, yet beautiful, sound begging me to come and find it. My small, unnoticeable ears let out a quiet beep sound. I slip past snails the size of mangoes, lush, green vegetation and long, brown, broken branches in search of the source of the noise.

At last, I come upon a narrow, babbling stream as clear as diamonds. There were rainbow little fish paddling around in the water, blowing bubbles and having fun.

I stare at the stream for a second before abruptly sitting down on a boulder close by.

Yes, there was a sense of freedom in the air. Yes, I could feel peace and quiet around myself. Yes, fresh, cold dewdrops were dripping into my mouth from the canopy of leaves above.

But the fact that so many things were happening at once overwhelmed me like a swarm of buzzing bees, or an ocean of ferocious waves. So much to see. So much to hear. So much to feel. So much life, and I had never known about it.

I sigh, and my cold, metallic shoulders slump, unveiling my downcast mood to the world.

It’s just… I… I didn’t really know what to do. I mean, I had made it this far… but what now?

“I wish I could find a place to belong,” I whisper to myself, staring at the gravelly soil below me. I blinked my eyes rapidly, but that didn’t stop them from burning. That didn’t stop a fresh, hot tear from trickling down my cheek either. Seriously, who had programmed me to have the ability to cry?

“What was that I just heard?” A tiny voice squeaked nearby. “Did I just hear the W-word? W… I… S… H?” The voice spelled out carefully.

I whipped my head around three hundred and sixty degrees, scanning the landscape around me, desperately trying to find a sign of life. Who had said that?

“Yoohoo!” The squeaky voice called again, and I whipped my head around once more to watch the stream. At last, I spotted the rainbow fish from before.

“Yup, you’re looking at the right fish,” it called, winking. “Don’t pay attention to Flipper and Fin over there—they don’t know how to have any fun. They also can’t help you, unlike me. The name’s Rainbow.”

“Hello, Rainbow,” I say, curiosity spiking through every gear of my body. “My name is HT2024… but you can call me Tori.”

“Oooh, interesting creature and interesting name too!” Rainbow sang in a sing-song voice. “You know, once, I was swimming through this very waterway when—”

“Wait,” I interrupt, and immediately regret it from the irritated and hurt expression on Rainbow’s face. “Sorry to butt in, but I’m not planning to stay here for long. Why don’t you get on with whatever information you wanted to tell me?”

“Oh. Oh right,” Rainbow said, scrunching up her fishy face. “Sure you’re not planning to stay around for long?”

“Yes, I’m certain.”

“Very well then,” Rainbow said, her face dulling. I feel a pang of guilt hit me, but listen on.

“I heard you mention the W-word. Continue along this golden pathway until you meet an old olive tree. Make sure to snap off a branch and whisper to it whatever you want to come true.”

My eyes bulge, and I stumble back, not sure whether to believe Rainbow or not.

“So—it’s that easy? Just find a tree, snap off a branch, and BOOM, wish granted?” I try really hard not to snort.

Rainbow frowned at me, and continued on.

“Of course it’s not that easy. There will be plenty of challenges along the way—and no, I’m not lying, so stop making that face at me.”

I try really hard to mush my robotic facial features around, but it didn’t really work.

“Well… thank you, Rainbow. I will take your word and venture out, seeking a majestic, old olive tree.”

Rainbow’s smile slipped back onto her fishy face, and she beamed at me.

“Good luck to you, Tori. Make sure to visit me some time!”

I bid farewell and make my way through the Dark Forest once again.