A Small World of a Moon Hedgehog

I guess not. And it makes sense.

Like when a song plays –

people sing the lyrics, hum the tune, dance to the beat,

but almost no one notices the faint electric keyboard at the back.

It happens in books too.

Readers follow the heroes, maybe the some sidekicks,

but never the nameless village girls who only crossed the street once.

⸻

Once upon a time

there was a girl.

She was ordinary, so ordinary.

Just another NPC in the world.

She was programmed to do her tasks –

day after day, night after night.

While others lived their brightest, loudest arcs,

she only moved in the background.

⸻

Once upon a time

there was another NPC who gave power-ups.

She cheered for the players,

boosted them when they were tired,

and with her frozen smile she carried on.

But when the night fell,

she could never cheer the one reflection in her mirror.

The one that kept crying.

⸻

Once upon a time

Another NPC with a crystal heart.

Too big for her small body,

so she covered it with thorns and spikes.

Day by day, people forgot the thorns

once hid something clear, something bright.

And in time, even she forgot too.

⸻

I know, these stories sound cliché.

After all, none of them were ever the protagonist.

But maybe, just once,

the NPCs wish someone would stop

and look a little closer.

And if they did…

they might wonder why all three girls wear the same face.

Little Moon Hedgehog