Tiago walked through the city.In contrast with the rest of the people; his movements were unhurried, almost lethargic. It was like that all the time, he would focus all his might into wasting the least amount of energy possible, every job that could be avoided, would be avoided. And if not, it would be done with the minimum effort possible.

If you were to ask he would tell you that in our crazy over-speeded world, quietness and moderation was a luxury few understand but the truth was different. The truth was that Tiago was lazy, period. There was no other word for it. His favorites’ activities included sitting around, lie down on the sofa, lie down in his bed, lie down in the garden and sleeping. Of course his family was more than willing to help him to combat his faked narcolepsy by making him do all the chores in the house and more so Tiago had to find a new resting spot.

He found it at the cemetery. The north section was almost empty and people rarely visited so he could rest under a big oak for hours undisturbed.

One day he woke up only to discover it was past midnight. Tiago didn’t care though, it was a nice summer night and the stars were shining bright so he decided to stay there a little bit longer. That’s when a weirdo little kid found him. He thought he was weird because, what kind of kid stays at a cemetery after midnight? His case was different of course, because he was a senior at high school.

‘Whaccha u doin’?’ The kid asked

‘I’m trying to rest and you are interrupting me.’ Was Tiago’s sharp answer.

‘Nooooooo sleep borin’!’ the kid pouted ‘I wanna play!’

‘Leave me alone, weirdo. All I want is to rest.’

‘U tire’?’ the kid insisted.

‘Yes, very tired.’ <<And annoyed>> Tiago though.

‘U wanna stay?’

‘Uh? Oh! You mean if I want to stay here? Yes, I want to stay here. ’ <<Here and alone, thank you very much>>.

‘Fuever?’

‘Yes, forever. I want to stay here and lie down forever.’

‘Otay. Now u rest fuever.’

The kid pated Tiago’s head several times and left as abruptly as he’d come. Tiago fell asleep almost immediately.

***

The next time he woke up it was by another kid.

‘Mom! Mom!’ The little girl yelled ‘What is that? Is that a statue?’

‘I don’t know sweetie.’ The mom answered ‘I don’t understand modern art.’

Tiago tried to move to say a couple things to the mother and the daughter but he realized he couldn’t. His hands were stuck under his head and his feet were glued to the ground; one on top of the other. He tried to talk but it was like his jaw was made of iron and his teeth had melted with each other. He couldn’t even blink or cry. Desperation made prey of him while his mind tried to find a reason or a solution. Then, the kid’s words resonated in his head.

Now u rest fuever.

Fuever.

Forever.

Hi! If you liked my story you should give it a try to my friend Lars Laustsen's novel. :)