The Wishing Deer

"They say there's a bunch of Wishing Deer in here" Clara mentions as her feet crunch along the leaves of the forest.

"Wishing Deer, are you serious? That's an urban legend" Samantha responds in a hoarse tone, biting her lip as she keeps close to Clara.

"Maybe so but I want to see those deer"

"What would compel you to do something so foolish that you're risking breakfast for the next week?"

"I just.... need to see them" Clara sighs keeping her lantern close as she ventures ahead, determination abound.

Samantha... would never understand.

Samantha would never understand that the concept of a mythical creature gave her her first friend.

Samantha did not understand what it was like to make a promise to a friend on his deathbed that she would find Wishing Deer.

Samantha did not understand that until she found these Wishing Deer part of Alfred's soul could not rest. Clara would be damned if she trudged him on through this miserable world any longer.

"So what are these Wishing Deer anyway?" Samantha questions, nervously looking around.

"They're said to be phantoms that help wandering souls afraid of death, face death." Clara responds, watching carefully of the scenery around her.

".....so this is an Alfred thing isn't it?"

"Yes. If I can find them, Alfred will move on from his attachment to me. On to a better place than this"

"I still don't understand how his soul is latched to yours, how do you even recognize something like that?"

Clara shrugs "You just do."

Out in the distance Clara notices a rush of color burst by, whisping through the trees and seemingly inviting her to follow.

"Look there!"

Clara follows the splash of color eagerly out into a clearing with a small pond.

At the edge of the pond stands a majestic being with the form of a deer. It's body turns different colors each moment; mixing blacks and blues.

In the space between it's antlers there are stars floating.

Clara gazes upon the creature with utmost amazement, her heart racing.

So they are real.

Clara carefully approaches the creature, careful not to spook it but the creature looks expectant.

The nearer Clara gets to the majestic being the more she starts to feel.... cold, like something is leaving her.

A phantasmal form slowly comes to fruition in front of her. It's familiar. Bittersweetly familiar.

"Alfred...."

"Thank you Clara... thank you.... for everything..."

"Yeah.... no problem.... be safe Alfie..."

The form smiles and with a nod from the celestial being at the waterside it slowly disappeared.

Carried off with the wind to a better place.

The promise was fulfilled.