I. Introduction 

Together, we raced across the stars, leaping from one fiery ball to another, running solely for the joy of it. The stars dipped and swayed beneath our feet, but if any threatened to fall, we laughed, leaping to the next and turning back to watch the subsequent shooting star outpace us across the universe. 

When one of us stumbled or wearied from the journey, we offered them a shoulder to lean on and energy of our own. Slowing, we helped them along until they could once more run along beside us. 

We found our dreams sketched in constellations, pinpricks of light further ahead of us down the path we walked. 

For years we ran, fearless in our pursuit. Together, we ran. 

II. Deterioration 

Eventually, we came to a divide in the straight and true path, a narrow set of stars branching off precariously to the right. As we contemplated where to go, a comrade stepped forward and told us that he had to go. His dreams lay elsewhere, he explained, sadness breaking his voice. 

We refused him passage, telling him to run with us a little longer, but he only lowered his head, shaking it sadly and set off down the smaller path, alone. 

From there, we stopped running, confused, choosing instead to walk and pick our way slowly across the universe, struggling to explain the in-explainable. New paths sprinkled themselves throughout our journey, and more friends began to drift apart, setting down on new expeditions. Strangers joined us occasionally, and we grew lost. The path was no longer straight or true. 

So accustomed were we to leaving friends behind, that when our comrades fell weary or stumbled from a star, we left them where they fell, walking on heedless of their silent need for help. We claimed we would do better, yet barriers found themselves between us anyway. 

Childhood acquaintances fought, practically running down foreign roads, some losing themselves in quests for harmful dreams. Some friends choose to miss their destined path, trudging from star to star along with the rest of us, unwilling to be left behind. 

Tearful goodbyes became a thing of the past, and each new farewell left only an empty hole where the heart was supposed to be. We each claimed that we would never leave, yet again and again, friends stepped towards new paths. 

Too soon, the divide in the path came again, and I could see my dream, glimmering to the far left. The main road trudged on, and I turned to take my step away. 

My best friend stood beside me, and she allowed a single tear to slip down her face. “You will keep in touch, right?” she asked, voice shaking. 

I nodded, but we both knew that our paths had diverged. 

Fear of the unknown and despair of what I left behind filled me, and with shaky legs, I leapt to the next star. I walked for what seems like forever, glancing behind me until there was no-one there. 

Soon, I am alone. 

III. Meeting 

Nothing exists for miles around, and besides the next ball of floating fire, nothing but the sight of my dream ahead spurs me onward. I hesitate, wondering what the point of continuing on without my friends is. There is nothing here for me but an empty dream, and I swallow back the tears choking me, falling broken to my knees. 

I look downward, imagining what it would be like to fall through the crack between the stars, allowing the empty void to suck me into it. 

A voice divides my thoughts, and I glance up in hopelessness, tears streaming down my face. It takes me a minute to recognize the man who stands before me, but I still take his outstretched hand and mimic his smile. 

“You were the first to leave the path,” I whisper, awed. I throw myself into his arms, hugging the person I thought I would never see again. The star we stand on wobbles, but together we leap to the next one. 

“Remember when we raced across these fireballs?” he asks, laughing. I join in, delight at seeing an old friend distracting me from my misery. 

“We never got tired back then,” I say, glancing at the long road ahead. 

He shakes his head, correcting me without a word. “We had friends to carry us when we got tired.” 

I swallow back the lump in my throat, looking anywhere but his face. “I’ve changed since then,” I whisper in shame. “We all have.” 

He glances at me from the corner of his vision. “I don’t think you’ve changed as much as you think you have,” he says. 

“I used to be kind, but now I’m cruel and mean. My entire body and heart hurts so much. I feel so alone,” I confess. 

He looks away at the ground. “Would you like to play a game?” he eventually replies. 

His grin is infectious, and I slowly nod. 

“Tag! You’re it!” he cries, taking off across the stars. 

“Hey!” I laugh, but I chase after him regardless, racing and racing, covering more ground with every step. As I run, I feel as if a weight falls from my shoulders, crashing into the steps I run across. Each leap feels freer and more natural than the last. Soon, I catch up to him, panting, and he chuckles, offering me a hand. 

“You’re just out of shape,” he teases. 

I stick out my tongue at him, but I’m laughing anyway. 

The star that I stand on rocks beneath me, and he pulls me out of the way as it collapses. Together, we watch as it takes off across the galaxy, outpacing us in all its glory. “Thank you,” I say. 

“What are friends for?” he asks. 

I pause a moment, thinking over his answer, but I finally get what he is saying. “Helping each other along the path of life.” I look back, as if for verification, but I know I have the answer even before his smile meets mine. 

IV. Awe 

“Look down,” he whispers. 

I follow his gaze, surveying the endless darkness below us. “It’s nothing but darkness,” I say. 

“No, look closer,” he says. 

Straining my vision, I make out a burst of light and color, forming a green-blue ball below us. I look down into Earth, and I can make out each of my past or present friends, pursuing their dreams. I cry as I watch them. 

“Now look up,” my comrade says. 

The first thing I see is my constellation, and I glance back at my comrade. 

“The sky is not the limit,” he says. “Look closer.” I peer past my dream. 

The rest of the universe spreads itself before me, and I stare in awe of its glory. My fears and worries diminish to nothing, and the path of stars dances in my vision. 

“You’ll never see the world the same way again,” he says, and a corner of his lips twist upward as he looks at me. 

V. Goodbye 

We continue walking, catching up and reminiscing about old times. Sometimes we run, feet pounding the path that life has created. Each jump seems closer than the one before, and we help each other up when we stumble. 

Soon, a division appears in our paths again. I hesitate, not wanting to leave my comrade behind, but he laughs. 

“Don’t worry, we’ll meet again. Besides, our paths diverged a long time ago.” With a wink and a nod, the man sets off jogging down the right path, and instead of a tearful farewell, I salute him and nod, continuing on. 

VI. Epilogue 

A woman sits, slumped upon a star that wobbles beneath her. I run towards her, my energy pounding the path beneath my feet. I offer her my hand, and she looks up in weary confusion. 

“They left me behind,” she whispers, as if in disbelief. 

“Will you run with me?” I ask her. She looks at me, confused, but she takes my hand and I pull her to her feet. 

“I don’t have the energy to run,” she says. 

“Well then,” I say, smiling. “Let’s play a game.”