Don't Go

"Don't go down there."

"Why not?"

"You won't like it, they're horrible down there, stay here, it's much nicer."

Tilly wasn't sure, after all she thought she was expected to go down there, surely that was the whole point.

Tilly watched as Gregory curled the silver yo-yo back to his hand, as soon as it was safe in his palm he unfurled it once more, sending it cascading through the air, spinning and dancing and showing off just as much as Gregory.

"We can't just stay here Gregory, there's nothing to do, we have to go down there at some point."

"I don't want anything to do, I'm perfectly content just to sit up here and perfect my leisure skills."

Tilly gasped, she'd heard the rumours about Gregory, the others had said he was lazy and if push came to shove you couldn't rely on him, but now she was witnessing it first hand, she wondered if perhaps there wasn’t more to it.

"How many times have you been down there Greg?"

The yo-yo shot back into his hand and he looked her straight in the eye.

"Once was enough."

"Once? But that's nothing, even if you have a bad experience you're supposed to go back, that's what they taught us, the odds are on our side, you must believe that."

Gregory's mouth tightened and he looked like he might cry.

"That my dear Tilly is propaganda, PR gone mad, the odds are most definitely against us and what’s more the gap is widening every day."

"I don't care, I'm going."

"Suit yourself." then just as she was sure he didn't care he added, "When?"

"Now, I've had breakfast and I feel ready to go now, so are you going to wish me luck?"

"It's not luck you need - it's strength and wisdom and the ability to distance yourself at all times, can you do that Tills, can you?"

Tilly nodded, stoical, as she reached out to shake her comrades hand he pulled her toward him and held her in a tight embrace.

"What ever you do, don't go anywhere near those that used to love you, no matter how tempting, don't seek them out, don't stand silent and watch them as they go about their business, don't ever be privy to their grief, for it will tarnish you, they say the pain diminishes but it doesn't Tilly, if you linger they will get to you, reach deep inside your soul and leave their indelible fingerprints forever - go now, and if you remember bring me back a sherbet dip."

Tilly bade farewell took a deep breath and leapt.

And so it was, another little angel came down to earth to try and make things right.