Liberi Reader

The setting sun seems to be the last customer of the small shop. The one behind the counter is no longer a familiar old man, but a coffee-colored creature.

It cranks a grinder handle, and the aroma of coffee wafts into the air with bits and pieces of finely ground beans.

A record spins slowly as a loudspeaker sings leisurely.

The sun inches down bit by bit as the streetlamps along the path light up like stars. Adele's vision is a little fuzzy, as if she has seen a sky like this somewhere, sometime before.

Was there a short street in that small town on Leithanien's southern border, or on the road back home from her school in her memories?

She can even remember the smell of the air then. Slightly moist, with a hint of sunshine and plants growing, exactly the same as now.

The fluffy creature shakes itself, and several soda bottle caps fall from her wool. They clink and tinkle into the merchant's pouch.

The fluffy critter shakes itself again, more caps falling out. The merchant opens its pouch, waiting for more.

The cuddly creature shakes itself, and a fluff of wool falls out.

There is yet another fluffy critter covering a window in front of him with photographs. He turns his head at the sound of footsteps.

His fluffy back fidgets repeatedly, covering the window full of photos.

Adele looks at the sky without a cloud in sight.

The solemn creature lowers his head.

The two creatures seem to have shrunk a little, and Adele looks just like one of them.

The petite critter follows them, skipping and hopping.

Along the street, the lights, the clouds and the stars, it tries its best to get higher and higher.

The fluffy critter doesn't answer, and she bites onto a corner of Adele's coat. Clink, clank, they step on the lights.

Adele feels as if she's flying. People are come and go on the street—no, it is sheep that are moving to and fro.

Little Black Sheep shuffle through the streets one after another, going in and out of shops. The streets at night have taken on a different look.

Adele turns her head to look for her two companions who were separated by the waves of Little Black Sheep. As soon as she turns, she is greeted by the sight of two fluffy creatures quietly standing right behind her.

It is as if they have been waiting here for countless years.

The two fluffy critters continue jumping upwards, towards the sky, seeming more distant than ever.

Adele stands in between, her hands outstretched holding onto their wool.

Adele hugs the creature by her side, and tries making a step—

She falls downwards, but it is slow and light, as if she is floating.

She sees her hair flying around her, the other Little Black Sheep lightly jumping around the lights of the shops.

The wool on her body holds her up, enveloping her. An experience already in the depths of her childhood memories, her parents hold her up, and throw her into the sky to catch the stars above.

She falls onto the wool, fluffy and soft beneath her. The stars fall into her eyes, and her eyes grow hot.

Shadows come and go on the street, and Adele tries to get on her feet, wanting to share this fantastic feeling with the two fluffy creatures by her side.

Adele's breathing quickens with her excitement.

The fluffy creatures fall silent, no longer replying.

The stars in the sky dim, and then light up as they open their mouths.

The remainder of Adele's words choke in her throat. She realizes the fluffy critters have stopped following her, the flowers and leaves from her staff fluttering around the two.

They take a few steps back, their figures melting into the night.