Alone - Judy Albietz

“How can you stand being alone so much?” Lily asked Sam after he described what life was like for him—with all the time traveling back and forth to the past and the future. Lily and Sam were walking up the hot dry path to the volcano cinder cone, where the Elders lived.

Sam’s collar was glowing a soft gold hue as he responded, “Lily, before I met you, I didn’t even know what it was like to have a friend for more than a day.

Lily knew if she tried to say something, she would burst into tears, so she threw her arms around Sam’s neck and hugged him tight. She thought how Sam totally accepted her for who she was. He would do anything for her, even give his life. Because of Sam, being the single only human on the island hadn’t been that scary. Lily felt as close to him as any person in her life. It was hard not to think of being separated from him—what would happen after they met with the Elders at the volcano and retrieved the Amulet.

Sam continued, “I have time-traveled, living apart from the other dogs for so long I can’t even remember what it was like to play with my brothers and sisters. Before my mother and father died, I tried to get to know them, but our visits between travel were too short. I have a feeling that in some form I will meet them again. Their stories are not lost to me forever.”

“After I leave with the Amulet and the Time Portal is fixed, will you go back to constant time traveling?” asked Lily.

“I thought I had gotten used to the loneliness, but now I am not so sure—so sure I want to go back to that life of isolation. Nobody will force me. It is my choice. But I feel the weight of responsibility. There are only a few of us who can travel so much and still remain young and strong. This teenage body is older than you think.”

“Hmmm…About that….maybe I don’t want to know how old you are…I like thinking of you as a teenager, as my friend…” Lily said.

Sam smiled and said softly, Lily, you are the best friend in the whole world.”