Dusty Echos

Dusty Echos

Creeeeeaaak tap tap, groan creak, aaaaaaaaaahhhhhh, creak, scrape, whhhhhoooooooo, whhhhhhooooo.

“Hello? Am I still alone?”whup, whup, whup, whup, tsp tsp, tsp tsp, whup whup, whup.

“Everything is going a little foggy, please tell me I’m not alone In this dark cold place ?”

Sniff sniff , scrape, tap tap ,tap, tap, scuttle, sniff.

“Hahaha that tickles, now I know someone is here with me, who is it?” Squeak squeak, sniff sniff. Tsp tsp tsp. “Whoah whoah, helllllp whoah, oh Thank you for catching me, I hope you don’t mind me spinning my silk near you? This corner seems like the warmest, at least that’s what the rats tell me”

“ That’s ok ma’am! I knew there were others in here with me, and you’re welcome on the catch. I’m always happy to reach out and help where I can.  

I must also say, I really do admire your art work, especially when it glistens from the streaks of sunlight flowing through those little cracks of the roof up there. It makes your frosty webs sparkle like diamonds, in amongst the millions of dust particles, floating around in here like a tornado, scattering itself everywhere, with its own little glints of light. I think you’re very talented indeed.”  

“Thank you so much for noticing my hard work. I really enjoy knitting and weaving beautiful circular patterns with my silk. Not only is it pretty, but it’s also strong, and has a lovely sticky texture, enabling me to eat like a queen. I managed to catch me a big, fat juicy fly the other day”.

“Ahhh, I was wondering why that buzzing sound stopped a few days ago. I figured the fly had managed to escape through the open door, when the human poked his friendly face in to grab a few items and leave again. I’m guessing it’s not time for me to take a vacation from here yet.”

“Oh no! not just yet, but I believe your time will come soon. When he popped his head in, I saw him grab the broomstick, dressing up costumes, and orange and purple decorations out. 

Now if I remember rightly, once they return home, it’s your turn for a trip away from here”

“Oh yes indeed, I have noticed that pattern myself. Once I’m brought back, a little while after his friendly face pops in again, to take the bunny, carrots and chicks out for a while, and if I think back that was quite a while ago now. Though I have seen his head bob in and out of the door a few other times.

There were some things taken away that I haven’t seen return, and those books over there: He popped them in and hasn’t been back for them. I think he said something about them being stored for the kids when they get older.

I do get so excited, once I figure I don’t have long before I’ll be the belle of the ball, dressed up all flashy and fancy again. It’s also a much warmer, brighter and more cheerful place I go to. Lots of music, bright colours, flashy lights, plenty to eat, especially the sweet things, those funny looking pies, creams, cakes, chocolates. 

People come in and out to visit the humans. Then there’s a day filled with lots of laughter and excitement, and huge plates filled with food, the children opening up brightly coloured gifts and family games. You couldn’t recreate that atmosphere up here in this dingy dusty room. If it was up to me I’d go and be there permanently. 

But it’s always the same, once I’ve been away a few weeks enjoying all the partying and celebrations. I then get brought back through that door there, and stuck here in this corner, for months on end reminiscing over all those happy ghostly echos, of the times I do get to shine and I do enjoy the celebrations”

“Yes, I suppose it is rather grim up here, in the cold damp darkness. I only like it here myself, because it’s very quiet and nobody bothers to disturb all my beautiful artwork! Oh and the rats seam to love it here too don’t you guys?”

Squeak squeak “oh yes it’s so much safer up here. We do venture out to get our food supplies, when the cat leaves. There are of course times we misjudge, and have to scurry back up to safety. Like the time we thought we heard the cat leave, I was on my way down through the hole over there, above their restaurant area. 

Well I managed to get down, and scuffy here was a bit slow on my command to go back up. Having seen the cat, we had a split second to reverse, he was still coming down while I was scurrying to get back in, just as scuffy realised and was moving backwards. Well I had this violently sharp pain near my rear end, and well even though mi life flashed before mi eyes, I got back to find I was bleeding, and half mi tale was missing! Here take a look, it’s all healed now but it won’t grow back. Not like the lizards tails do, they’re magicians they are, should have been called Wizards’

‘ yeah! that’s why he’s called stumpy, and ol scuffy here now has to go hunting dontcha? Though it’s usually muggins here (myself) who ends up doing most of the work, even though I’m meant to be home looking after the pups’

‘Alright Marge, you don’t have to embarrass me! Talking of the pups I think we need to go check on em, see you all later, stumpy you coming with?’

‘Nah, I wanna go see if I can win tricksy over with this nut I found in smiley guys pocket, the other day’

‘Good look stumpy! He’s going to need it, she’s called tricksy for a reason tee hee. Ohhh I do hate to be rude! But there’s a tugging on my silky rope, and I do much prefer my catch freshly prepared, and still warm and juicy. I’ll bungee on down for a chat later on if you like?”

“Of course you swing off and enjoy your catch ms spider. I’d hate to keep you from your dinner! I’m sure I’ll be here later for a chat, who knows maybe the other rats will want to chat a while, while I wait for your return”.

Tsp tsp tsp, whup, whup, whup. Scuttle scuttle, Sniff sniff, crunch, crunch, cruuuunncchh, sniff. Whhhhhhoooo, whhhhooooo.

‘Back to the broken silence I guess. 

I wonder what I should wear for the celebrations this year? Last year I was dazzling in my silver and blue dress. Hmm! Let’s see there’s purple and pink, browns, greens, whites, but maybe I’m in the mood for a nice red and gold dress this year. I really hope it’s red and gold this year, please please. Oh wait! that’s a new noise again’

Rattle rattle, scrape.

‘ooo it sounds like the door, could it be my turn, could it? Ohh there he is with his smiley face, and oh one of the little ones are popping in too. He’s putting the broomstick, dressing up, purples and orange decorations back away, this is exiting!

ohhhh there she is, little Betsy! She only ever comes in here when it’s my turn. And, here she comes, embracing me in her little arms. oh my! Betsy, you can almost get your arms around me fully this time. You must be growing up, Just like little Timmy there, who’s looking like he’s catching you up!’

“Daddy Daddy, look my hands are nearly touching.”

“Oh wow! Betsy, if you carry on growing up this quickly you won’t need me to come up here with you next time. But, just this time, how about you help Timmy take those silver and blue decorations in that box there.” 

“Daddy? Don’t you think we should have these ones instead this year? we had silver and blue last year: I think I’d much rather we had the red and gold this time pleeessseee Daddy?”

‘Oh Betsy! this is why I love you soo much. It’s like you read my mind, (well if I had one), please smiley Daddy, let me wear the red and gold, it’ll make me and little Betsy so happy’.

“Hmm! ok why not. Ok, Betsy you grab the Red and gold ones, Timmy pass the reindeer and elves down to mummy, and when you two are down with Mummy, I’ll bring Santa, the hanging decs and the tree.” 

‘This is it, he’s got me in his arms! It’s finally time for that vacation. Fair well ms spider and all the little rats, I’m sure I’ll be seeing you all again soon. 

But for now: I’m off to get ready for the Christmas celebrations, I can’t wait for little Betsy to dress me in red and gold, and to sparkle and dazzle, in that warm bright colourful room, with my humans once more!

‘Merry Christmas everyone from me, your beautifully decorated Christmas Tree.’

The End.