work in progress.

The light shone in one bright arc threw the drawn drapes, casting eerie shadows against the wall that Shipo watched from her bed. She imagined things in that light, things that danced and laughed and played tricks all for the joy of light and life. She called the creatures Shennan, the light people. No one could see them but her and that was fine by her. They were her secret that no one else took the time to notice.

Shipo was ten, though a very tall ten indeed. She had dark black hair and eyes, brownish skin and a almost constant smile in her eyes. She lay on a dark Palsomer wood bed, with Tili drapes and Gooshaba blankets. On her right arm she had numerous needle scars, from all the medicines the doctors gave her. Most were fading, only one or two new ones added. Shipo was glad, she hated getting shots and the doctors hadn't been giving her near as many the last month or so.

Over on the other side of the room Mozi, the cat, slept on her self. Mozi refused to sleep with her now a days, what with it being summer. He seemed to feel Shipo was too warm a bed mate. It made Shipo a little sad, because petting Mozi was one of her favourite things to do, and one of the only ones she could do still while lying in bed. She called to him,

"Tsh, tsh, here mozi, come here kitty, sheza Mozi, sheza!" But Mozi just lay where he was, not even raising an ear to her cries.

The door slowly opened and Shipo's mother Nira came into the room.

"What was that you say Shipo? You need something?" Nira asked, standing over her daughter, a worried expression on her face.

"I want Sheza Mozi momma." Shipo answered, "But Mozi just sitsies there and doesn't even look at me."

"Mozi is a cat little one. They are like the Gods, you can not order them around and if you try all you get is hurt. Let Mozi were he is, think of something else you want to have and Nira will get it for you."

"Don't WANTSIT other things, wantsit Sheza Mozi!"

"Can't have Mozi, forget Mozi and think of something else Shipo. Do not ask again for what you have been told you can not have."