The abduction of a betta fish

From my perch amongst my peers, I watched the stale horizon. Harsh, inorganic lighting came from above, and brightly colored, unmoving objects made up my terrain. Though the scenery rarely boasted change, the creatures that migrated past me came in all colors, shapes, and sizes.

I dreaded the small ones with fat, red-faces. They possess a boldness that is unflattering for their kind. They reach out to me and smack my glass. I don’t particularly care for the tall ones, either. They have hideous flat beaks that protruded from the shelf created by their heads. They were like a stupid, hideous bird. But, it was my burden to bear. You see, these giants, awkward creatures, adored me. Who could blame them? I have always been painfully aware of my beauty. 

Yes, I was a favorite, but never removed from my perch like Lidiya with her glimmering yellow scales and thin veil-like fins. Thomas, the glorious fool, who made so many bubble nests for me, and beckoned to me daily, was taken by a giant just yesterday. He knew, they all knew, I only had eyes for Sten. 

Every morning at feeding time, a glimmer of his iridescent armor shimmered up to me. The incredible crimson of his long tail flowed through the current like a soft leaf. I hadn't seen a leaf since my childhood. His tail reminded me of those carefree times. As fate would have it, Sten, my savior and comfort, was three rows below me. We were always present, but never together.  

On the note of fate, when I woke up from my slumber, I had no idea that today would be my day. Time passed, the harsh lights danced upon the terrain, and few creatures migrated through, like any other day. As I was hatching my fifty-seventh plan on how to intertwine my destiny with Sten’s, a giant with earthy-colored features and reflective dark eyes took an interest in me. I flared my fins at it as I slowly swam by the front of my enclosure. It didn't falter. 

That was when the darkness came. My world began to shake and before I knew it I stared at dozens of bubbles filled with my friends and neighbors. I looked to Sten, my love, for help, but he was too busy making bubbles at Delilah. My lip dropped open and my fins lost all fight. Fate was much more cruel than I ever imagined. 

The scenery changed rapidly from darkness to a blinding, warm bright light I had never seen before. New noises berated my flimsy walls. But I couldn’t bring myself to care. Images of Sten’s shimmering blue scales danced across my mind. The tail of that traitor, oh, I would never see it again. He didn't deserve my attention and dedication. 

With my head hung low, I floated aimlessly. What was the point? I was without leaves, without love, and no place in the world. My only company was the earthy-toned giant who admired me every few moments. A bright light came from beneath me and I could feel the water around me warming. It could be as beautiful a day as it wanted to be, my world was shattered. Nothing would mend this wound in my heart. Once again, I turned away from the light. 

It was like a foreign creature, one with soft hands cradled me out of my warm home, and out into the forbidden world where there was no water, no way for me to breathe. If today was my day to go, then so be it! My body convulsed in protest of the unyielding environment, but my mind was silent. 

Let death take me.

As the cloak of my most certain end lifted from around me, I found myself able to breathe. My body moved without permission from my mind. Was that the sound of water? A waterfall? I lifted my head to see the perpetual churning of water from above.

“How lovely.” I halfheartedly mused. 

“Yeah, it’s alright.” A tiny voice startled me and I jumped back. There was nothing but beautiful bright green, large foliage that welcomed me to sleep on it. A leaf! “Up here.” 

I tilted my body up to get a better view and across the aquatic skyline, a funny little thing floated along through the canopy of green. It clumsily bumped and turned with each new leafy top. I paused to examine the odd animal as it zipped along the quick current. 

“Woohoo!” It turned upright and descended from the sky in a well-calculated path. I couldn’t figure it out, even as it approached so I bumped it with my nose. 

“Hey! Don’t harsh my vibe, man!” 

This being was like some sort of worm that hid inside of a pretty, spiraling rock. Clumsily and rudely it slid across the top of my future bed as it continued its surf down towards the rocky ground below. 

What an odd little… I turned my nose up to it and continued my inspection of this bizarre world around me. That thing wasn't worth my time or effort. It was too small to even fight a minor tide.

“Yahoo!” Oh goodness, it wasn’t alone. 

“Nice one, Tweedle!” 

I hurried back behind a downed log covered by massive leaves. I needed to get away from the nonsense, the distractions, and the noise! Beneath the leaves, a cozy den awaited me. There I could adjust to my new surroundings. From what I could tell, there was no Lidiya, no Sten, no Delilah. I scoffed at even the thought of that name.

Delilah, Delilah, Delilah. I snarled. Stupid name for a stupid fish. 

Throughout the rest of the day, I hid amongst the leaves. Thankfully, the weird, loud neighbors left me alone. Their energy seemed to come and go in short bursts. The rest of the time they were slow-moving gluttons, but incredible housekeepers. I had to admit it, this space was immaculate. 

The lights went out and all that was left that evening was the gentle babbling of a continuous waterfall. After the long day, I fell asleep against a delightfully soft leaf. 

“‘Scuse me, ma’am.” The world came to me as I lifted my head from the leaf. The lights were still out. “Just here to clean around you.” 

The voice made me run from my wonderful hiding place. When I looked back a flat yellow and black striped rock-worm chugged along and cleaned the rocks around the base of the fallen log. I could have been mad, but that attention to detail was admirable. 

I suppose I should wake up now anyway. With a wiggle of my spine and a stretch of my fins, the new world would have to be ready for me and my fierce beauty. For even in an alien world, I was too glamorous to not be the most beautiful lady that ever lived.  

My first morning constitutional was most pleasant, but I had worked up an appetite. The rock worms spent their time eating along the gravel while I inspected the forest created by the robust plant life. I had never seen anything like it! The enchanting land amused me until the light came on. The leaves tickled when they brushed against me or created fantastic resting areas.  

The moment the light graced us with its presence, there was the giant from the day before. The one who took me from my home. If it was anything like my previous keepers, little tasty flakes of dried food would soon follow. 

Deep, rumbly noises left this giant as it went up to the canopy. A small clearing formed and beyond it, a warm, bright light shone down upon me. It wasn’t harsh like the lights of my homeland. This light made me feel happy and alive.

From beyond the light, something speckled the surface of the water. It didn't look flat like my flakes. 

Food? Cautiously, curiously, I approached. 

The incredible smell of delicious, fresh food trailed along the current and drew me in like a fly to the web. A softening pebble entered my mouth. It was like I had never truly tasted food before. It was soft, sweet, tangy, and lean. The flavors were so vibrant. I had to have another. 

Deep, rhythmic sounds left the giant. Was it pleased? Was this a warning sound? Did I steal its food!? 

I didn’t care, all I wanted was more. If this was how I went, let it be. My stomach expanded, and my body grew sluggish, but I still searched for more. The clearing in the canopy stopped providing and the giant had left me. Finally, I could relax with my full belly in peace. Nestled in against the soft, broad leaves, I let my full tummy relax.

“Go for it, Tipper!” A familiar voice called from above. 

“Wahoo!” 

I let out a sigh, unimpressed by the interruption to my rest. 

Tipper, the rock worm, landed on the end of my leaf. How dare he! I began to fluff my frills when the most incredible thing left its lips. 

“Good morning, beautiful!” It called to me before it slipped from my leaf and went down into the depths. 

Flustered by the unexpected compliment, I felt my little heart flutter with excitement. 

Well, maybe I was a bit quick to judge. I relaxed back into place. 

“Come on down, Tweedle. Look out for the pretty lady.”

“Wooh!” Tweedle descended. It completely missed my leaf as it passed by. “Hi, pretty lady!”

“Hello,” I called back just as it slipped away. 

No Delilah, good food, comfortable leaves, and gentle light. This new land was different, but I could get used to it.