The Forgotten Sun

20250528

Prompt from DailyPrompt.com

Ack, these stairs! Pedro was bitterly regretting this idea. But Sasha was prattling so cheerfully, her loving grip on his elbow unwavering. Turning back would be disappointing for her. And would make all this effort and soreness for naught.
So when she asked “Are you alright, Grantie?”
Pedro replied “Just envying your youth, sweet pea. How far have we come?”
“Um…” Silence as they shuffled around another bend. Presumably to a point where she could see a sign. “Seventeen! We’re almost there.”
“Thank goodness…” Pedro could feel his grip on the banister growing shaky. “Wish they’d built these landings big enough to put a chair in one corner. Be nice to take a break.”
“I wish the lift still worked.”
“Ah, well, there’s that youthful optimism at play.” Pedro chuckled, a guttural wheezing that underscored Sasha’s airy giggle. “It’d be nice, for sure. But cables like those, well, they’re not easily found. Doubt it’ll ever work again.”
“There must be other buildings out there.” From Sasha’s stubborn tone he was sure she’s pouting. Her mother always pouted when using that tone. And they were so alike. “And some ought to have lifts. Right?”
“Who knows?” Pedro paused for a moment to wipe his hand dry on his shirt. “I hope there are. But even so, no telling their cables are in good shape. And if they are, well, who’d give them up?”
“Mm.” Sasha sighed. A stolen future packed into a simple exhale.
It made his heart ache. Or perhaps that was the prolonged exertion. It was a great relief to hear her sing out “Twenty! We’re finally here!”
She left him clutching the wall for a moment, then returned with a cheery “It’s safe! I see Rory.”
“Aye, and he’ll be glad to see you.” Pedro chuckled fondly. “You did remember the jerky, right?”
A lofty huff. “Of course I did!”
“Good lass.”
The clicking of each lock being disengaged. Handle creaking. A rush of fresh air, the shock of which set him coughing. Then Sasha’s hand slipped under his elbow again and helped him forward.
Four shuffling steps and he suddenly felt it. That once-familiar warmth. It was like the touch of an old friend.
Ahh.
He tilted his head back and drank it in. Far gentler than a heat pack, yet it sank deeper. His fingers instinctually reached for it and his back groaned at the usual cold which suddenly felt intolerable.
Friendly wuffing caressed his fingertips, and his groping found warm fur. Far warmer than mere body heat; Rory must have been sunbathing.
“Heh. Hello to you too.” Of course the gregarious pup would assume he was offering pets.
Sasha guided him to sit on one of the benches, and Rory was distracted by the jerky. Giving Pedro a moment to relax.
The smells. He always forgot how different smells were, under the sun. The soil, the stone, it all smelt so much more alive. And the flowers…
Well worth climbing 247 steps.

Prompt was “Write a descriptive scene about a character feeling the sunlight on their face for the first time in a very long while.”