Days on the beach
Deneb found himself wandering again. There was no pattern to it - there never was. Just wander. He found it strangely relaxing, and while others would disagree, Deneb believed this was the perfect way to live life. Just to wander. Just to chill.
The vacation had been awesome so far. He had always dreamed of visiting these islands, and he loved the tropical seas, tropical forests, tropical everything. This place really was making him vibe.
Today really is going to be perfect, he thought as he headed through the dappled light of the coastal palm tree grove. Blue skies and white sand, with just the right temperatures so as to be satisfyingly warm, but not really overheating.
It came as only a small surprise to hear a loud rustle in the undergrowth. An even smaller surprise, after the initial shock, to see an odd little creature run out from under the leafy plants covering the ground. Of course, what did you expect on a tropical island? How could Deneb have known the creature was about to change his life...
Simply walking on without second thoughts, Deneb only really started to take any notice of it when it crashed into his leg suddenly, causing him to almost lose his balance, and look down in mild annoyance as well as curiosity. It was looking up at him with innocent green eyes, and it seemed like a fish-dinosaur mix. Teal and white scales covered most of its body, with black and orange splodges on its head and many fins.
It didn't seem bothered by the fact it had just run into Deneb, but instead made a little chirping sound and hopped up and down, with a smile on its face. The boy reached down and patted its head tentatively, in reaction to which it pressed its nose into his hand, then chirped some more. They both smiled, and Deneb picked the creature up and held it in his beach towel as he headed towards the beach.
They played on the beach for the rest of the day, then another; sunbathing, swimming, playing catch, and drinking fancy soda out of coconuts. Deneb had gotten to know the creature even better. It was energetic, that was for sure. Just a little mischievous too, but also curious and friendly. It felt good to have a beach buddy, and Deneb reckoned his new friend felt the same.
The time passed, and leaning down to scratch the creatures chin, Deneb realized the sun had begun to set. He started packing up, then stopped. He couldn't just leave the little raptor. But what else could he do with it? Surely he couldn't just take it home...
Deneb shook his head and sighed. The day had been fun, but it was over, and he had to accept that.
All good things must come to an end.
As he got up to leave, the creature chirped at him in a quizzical tone.
"Bye, little guy. I'll miss you."
He walked away before he could change his mind. He had made it a few meters back into the forest when he heard footsteps behind him. Turning back with a painful hopefulness in his chest, he saw the creature watching from just behind him with wide, sad eyes.
"I guess you're coming with me then..." Deneb looked back at the beach, and saw a lonely peculiar tree waiting at the edge of the forest path, " ...Mango. "