Hyper short stories. SOMEWHERE DIFFERENT, BETTER
Downtown, a celebration. Hundreds of spectators cheered along a street. Xuex'L stood in the road, wearing a large knapsack. He waved at the boisterous crowds. His father, Kaspa'T, and his mother, S’Rio, stood with him. Xuex’L extended his arms toward his parents. The audience cheered even louder. The mother hugged her son.
"Good luck," S'Rio said.
"Thank you."
Kaspa’T shook hands with his son. "Proud of you," the father said steadily.
"Honoured."
"Ready to begin your thousandth journey?"
"Yes."
Xuex’L turned and walked. The road traversed reached straight through downtown, past the horizon. Cannons lining the sidewalks shot colourful confetti into the sky.
Xuex'L travelled the road further. At his back, civilization appeared less abundant. He stopped and looked back.
He said to his home, to those he knew, to all unknown, "Love you."
Xuex’L resumed his retreat.
Xuex’L continued along the road.
"This time, arrive somewhere different."
Xuex’L sat in the road. An electric lantern was beside him and shone light potently. His hands held otherworldly fruit and bread. He bit into the food, chewed, and swallowed. He looked his meal over.
"Oh, what a luxury food is! Deserve to feast while others go on, hungry? Hope somewhere different, nobody starves."
Rain struck the tiny tent set on the road. Within it lay Xuex’L. He watched the rain pummel onto the roof.
"An abode, humble or not, is useful. Comfort and freedom from harsh elements. Should not all be entitled to shelter? Somewhere different offers homes to all citizens."
Xuex’L paused at the edge of the road and watched a grassy plain. An animal chased another. The two animals fought. One killed the other and ate them. Xuex’L stared curiously.
"Some animals must kill to survive. The same cannot be said of my species. We advanced to the point violence is undue. Why, then, some of my kind lie, steal, murder, and abuse?"
Xuex’L ignored the violence and journeyed on.
"Somewhere different, morals guide individuals. Their goodness, they never abandon. No neighbour suffers. None resort to harmful behaviour."
Xuex’L walked nearly the entire road. He stared, disappointed, at the end of the city opposite where he departed from.
"Next time, will reach somewhere different."
Xuex’L reached the edge of the city. Hundreds were gathered. His parents were among the flocks, brimming with joy.
Xuex'L said to the collective loudly, "A surprise."
The mayor, Maqmo’X, clutched a scroll. He and Xuex’L’s parents stepped onto the road.
Maqmo'X solemnly said, "Xuex’L, you walked the road one thousand times. One other accomplished, Mayor P'Ritz, nearly one century ago. Thus earning her the right to be mayor. You earned the same."
"Welcome this honour?" the mayor asked.
Tears dropped from Xuex’L’s eyes.
"Yes."
Maqmo’X strode forward. So did Xuex’L. The mayor handed the scroll off, his designation. The crowds erupted with cheers. Claps, whistles, and shouts. Xuex’L hurried to his parents. They hugged.
Xuex'L stated for his forebears, "Promise to make our city better."