The World's Gone Crazy

Theme #43: Night

Word Count: 235

World: Canon Universe

Genre(s): Angst

Rating: K+

Warning(s): None

Even a year after Ted’s first visit, Once-ler still preferred nighttime to day.  His windows were no longer boarded up, and every day, he could see out them for miles around.  When the sun shined in a cloudless sky, it was unavoidable that he would see the barren fields that were only just starting to have life restored to them.  It was a constant reminder of his mistakes, and it made his heart hurt and his eyes water.

That‘s why night was always better for him.  The moon and the star shone brilliantly, but his weakening eyes could see nothing but darkness.  He could look out the window and imagine that nothing was wrong behind the pitch black; he had listened to the Lorax, the tress were still there.  Maybe it was cowardly of him to hide, but now that there was nothing left to hide him from reality, but it was the only time he would allow himself relative peace of mind.  

Usually.

On the night after Audrey’s visit, Once-ler laid in bed, the covers drawn up to his neck, and stared out the window into the blackness.  The voice in his head repeated her words to him endlessly, and in her voice no less.

‘There’s nothing to be afraid of.’

With a groan, Once-ler buried his head deeper into his pillow, closing eyes that weren’t even heavy.

He almost couldn’t wait for morning.