7 September 2012
A man sees two children. Two children whom have never seen much of the world. Two children, abandoned, alone in the cold winter night. Just as everybody else he walks past them. Carelessly. Coldheartedly.
Amie and John. That's what their mother used to call them. They are never uttered anymore. Left to be forgotten. Amie is only nine. John is twelve.
They just found some food. It's not anything fancy of course. But at least starvation won't be what kills them tonight. That's one thing less to worry about. One thing less out of hundreds.
A single blanket is what keeps them warm. It's what protects them from the world. Makes them feel safe. That is all they have. A single blanket.
They move from day to day. So long they have survived the cold winter.
One day a bird landed by their feet. Amie asked "John, do you think birds are happy?" He thought for a while, then he answered "Yes, I do. I mean, how could they not be? They get to fly. They get to view the world from above". Then she said "John, I want to be a bird. I want to see the world from above". He told her "If you believe in it, you can be whatever you want".
Just as the winter went on they continued to live on what they could find. Some nights were better than others. Once a woman gave them a loaf of bread. That was the last loaf of bread they ever ate.
And so the coldest night of winter had come. The streets were empty. Frozen. Warm light from the lampposts shone down onto the two children.
A shiver in the night. The only sound within miles. Amie and John sat close together under the blanket. Not so much protected anymore. She was so cold. Words, even syllables, were impossible to produce. Her heart wasn't as strong as Johns. The beat was slower. As if the heart itself no longer desired to live.
John thought to himself: This is not a life for a little girl. I wish I could have given her more. At least a piece of happiness. That was a feeling she never knew about.
John said in a quiet voice "Amie, you'll feel better soon. Sleep now" And so she did.
When he woke up he took his little sisters soft, cold hand in his. She was happier now.
John lived on by himself. It wasn't easy for him without anyone to fight for. Eventually he couldn't take it anymore.
Just as he took his last breaths a little bird landed by his feet. She looked happy.
Amie & John • Opuss № I