A New Life Up In The Air

Lyla looked around from their little hiding spot, and saw so many humans walking everywhere. There was music coming from somewhere and Lyla and Poppin smiled at each other... this was an exciting colorful world that they had ended up in, and they were enjoying the smells as much as the bustling sidewalk right outside their little hideaway. Day turned into evening as the sun slipped below the horizon, and the two new adventurers peeked out to see if it was safe to explore, now that they were hidden by the darkness. They scurried across the now empty sidewalk to the area across the street, and as they drank water from a faucet, Lyla said, " hey Poppin, I think they make food there where we're staying!" Poppin looked back over his shoulder and said, "yeah, look at the food the people are bringing out of there. I think those are doggie bags- I've heard the people in the building we lived in say that they have doggie bags for later. I've always wondered about that, because I never saw a dog anywhere."

They ate the remnants of a delicious sandwich that someone had left on a paper plate near the water faucet, and then they laid side by side holding hands and looking up at the sky. The stars twinkled at them and they felt so brave and scared all at the same time. After a while, they headed back to their cozy little hideaway, and just as they stepped toward the entrance, still holding hands, a large well-groomed rat walked out and smiled as he waved at them.

"" Hey guys, how are you doing, are you new here?" as he leaned up against the wall. Poppin and Lyla looked at each other, excited that they were already making a new friend, and Lyla said, " yes, we just got here today, as a matter of fact. I'm Lyla and this is my Poppin. And what's your name?" The rat held out his hand and said, " my name's Remy."

" I work with Alfredo Linguini over here at the restaurant."

They both shook his hand and Lyla's and Poppin's eyes got big as Remy told them how he ended up becoming a chef ( of sorts) there, and how the people who worked there became his biggest fans, making sure he and his friends always have food to eat and clean water. He nodded his head towards their little hideaway and said, " that was my first place when I got here, and I hope it's comfortable enough for you ." He winked, "For now, at least."

With that, he smiled, turned around and walked back into the building. The two little mice stared at each other with big grins, gave each other a big hug and sashayed into their new hideaway. They snuggled together in the soft nest they had made with full bellies and a new friend, and after a soft goodnight kiss, they drifted off to sleep, where the brightest colors filled their little heads. And they saw the world that's waiting up for them.

They woke in the morning just as the sun peeked in to greet them, and they saw a familiar figure just outside their hideaway. They yawned and stretched, gave each other a kiss and a smile, and stepped out to say hello. " Good morning, Remy!" Lyla and Poppin said in unintended unison, and they smiled at each other quickly. Remy laughed at how cute they were together, and replied, " Hey Lyla, hey Poppin! How'd you sleep last night?"

Before they could answer, he motioned then to follow him into the restaurant. " Come on, you two. I want you to meet Alfredo and then we'll introduce you to Guido, the restaurant owner." He glanced back to gauge their reactions, and added " But don't worry, he's cool AND he may have some work for you two." Lyla squeezed Poppin's hand and he winked at her with a wee swagger.

Remy smiled to himself as he led the way to the restaurant office door. He was going to take these two under his " wing" and show them the world that he knew was waiting for them, by mentoring them. He would show Poppin how to give that world of the brightest colors to Lyla as they embarked on an incredible journey.

So where will Remy lead them, or will they lead Remy?

Check out Rowan Finley for Part One of "A New Life Up In The Air"

And so it continues... The first person to comment to "AGREE" to write the next chapter will continue this journey with Chapter Three:)

And our writer for Part Three is Sibley Shamra! I can't wait to see what these two do next!!