“Did you get any sleep last night?” he asked, a question that I was not expecting. I recognized concern in his gaze. I frowned at him and wrenched my arm free, stepping backwards from him.
“Don’t forget what I said last night,” I reminded him urgently before turning and running, away from the crowds, cars, and cameras, and away from his pale gray eyes that felt like they burned to my very core. I felt as if, if I didn't get away from him I would suffocate under the intensity.
A week passed and one morning while Kristy left her apartment at her usual time I too followed. In the past week since the incident by the bridge there had been no more attempts on Kristy’s life, no hidden enemies in the shadows. But I knew better than to risk thinking she was safe. She stopped at a mom-and-pops breakfast café where she sat in a corner booth away from the bustling chatter of the younger crowd. She ordered a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, a side of bacon, and coffee. After realizing she meant to stay for a while I walked slowly into the café. I chose a seat on the opposite end and sat facing the window, with my back to Kristy. I could see her perfectly in the reflection, as well a everyone else around her.
After she finished eating her breakfast and pulled out her laptop, I wondered at her reason for staying. But I didn’t have to wonder long, as a familiar, unnerving presence, appeared.
“Detective,” I heard Kristy’s voice, “I’m surprised you called.” I felt a growl bubbling up inside me, that threatened to spill. If he didn’t get himself killed, I was half-tempted to kill him myself.
“Do you believe me?” Kristy asked, while I sipped at my coffee and milk, which was significantly more milk than coffee. A waitress came to ask for my order and I gave it to her quickly to be left alone again.
“I wanted to hear more of the stories I read on your blog,” his deep voice rumbled and vibrated and I felt a wary flip in my stomach. There was a hesitation from Kristy and I wondered if she would be silent, for once. But of course, I was wrong.
“My grandfather, used to tell me stories about the,”
“Lets hold off on using that word,” Nathan interrupted and I felt a flutter of admiration and respect, at least he heeded my warnings. In the window's reflection I saw Kristy’s confusion and then watched as she dramatically rolled her eyes; the waitress brought me my food and I ate as I listened.
“Alright, he used to tell me stories about them,” she said emphatically.
“Them? As in more than one?”
“Two,” she clarified while holding up two fingers, “he would tell me stories about two of them who would live in different parts of the world, their goal always to help the human race,”
“Help how?” Nathan asked, intrigue audible in his tone.
“Help, however it was needed. Farming, building, medicine, protecting, saving, anyone who needed help they would help. They’ve always been there, saving anyone who needed saving. But my grandfather said, that while the woman was loving, compassionate, loved humans and especially children, her counterpart cared only about power and strength. He said that there was one point where the tension between them especially straining and it was at that time where she was betrayed by the other. Whatever happened had torn such a hole in her heart that she disappeared for 6 years. My Grandfather said that was right before World War II started.” I felt a pang of guilt at this, this part of story was partly accurate, but missing many details. In the reflection of the window I saw a frown on Nathan’s face, confusion on his brow.
“So, now there’s only one?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“What happened to the other one?” I watched as Kristy opened her mouth, and then closed it.
“I never thought of that, Grandfather never mentioned him again…”
“Hmm.” Nathan murmured.
“Sorry detective, I hate to run but I really have to get to my part time job,” Kristy said hurriedly, gathering her things as she realized the time. I listened as she hurried out the door and rushed towards her job and I waited patiently for Nathan to exit after her. But instead found myself face to face with him as he slid fluidly into the seat across from me. A smile once again toying with his lips.
“Almost walked out when I didn’t see a dark black hoodie anywhere in sight,” he said with a teasing lilt to his voice. It was true I had chosen to wear a pale yellow shirt that hugged my body and blue jeans instead of my usual black. I studied him as I sipped my coffee gingerly.
“You didn’t care about the stories,” I said after a moment attempting to keep my voice level despite my surprise, “you just knew I’d be here.” The grin that had threatened his lips submerged and he had a roguish look about him.
“I am a detective you know,” he said, a bit smugly, “it isn’t difficult to piece together that wherever she is, you won’t be far behind.”
“Is that supposed to impress me?” I said slowly, watching him as he leaned back in the chair and openly studied me with amusement.
“Hmm, I thought most women were impressed by a man in uniform,” he said in a mock offended tone. I frowned and looked away, out the window towards the people milling out on the streets.
“I’ve seen too many ‘men in uniform’ die before their time, to find it much impressive anymore.” There was silence from the other side of the table so I glanced back over to him. His smile had disappeared and he gazed at me with eyes once again swimming with emotion. Some I recognized, curiosity, admiration, respect, and some still I didn’t understand. So many emotions in the human heart. It truly was a wonder.
“How old are you?” his next question surprised me as he leaned forward, elbows on the table. I narrowed my eyes slightly, he no longer had that teasing gaze but there was something in his eyes, that when he stared at me like he was, made me feel like I was burning inside.
“Isn’t it considered rude to ask a woman that question? How old are you?” I countered and I saw his lip twitch, the ghost of a smile ever present.
“I’m 32, but that doesn’t answer my question.” He said and I frowned. How quickly 32 years goes by.
“I’m significantly older.” I said, a smile threatening to break through my own façade, but I beat it down. He tilted an eyebrow.
“You don’t look it.” He said, unashamedly letting his gaze wander. I clenched my jaw at the man’s cheeky attitude.
“You must get slapped often,” I stated, and he sat back again with a chuckle.
“No. I don’t, I just haven’t found anyone as interesting as you before.” He stated.
“I’m interesting then?” I said, playing along with his curiosity. He nodded.
“A mystery.”
“Didn’t you just hear my life story from the reporter?” I countered.
“So it’s true?” he asked, eyes wide.
“I didn’t say that, did I?” I countered and he scowled.
“Is any of it true?” he asked and I clenched my jaw shut for fear of spilling everything to this man. I had never met someone I had been so inclined to speak with, to answer any and all of his questions, and I decided very quickly, that he was dangerous.
“And the walls are back up,” he said, a sad tone to his voice, “if only I had a wrecking ball.” I watched him as he sat back, studying me.
“Why did you call Kristy today?” I asked, surprising him.
“To speak to you.”
“Why?”
“Honestly?” he said quietly, “I don’t know. I just wanted to speak to you, I’ve wanted to speak to you more and more, every time I see you.” he smiled to himself and looked out the window at people passing by. We sat in silence for a few minutes and then he looked back at me,
“You’re right you know,” he said, his voice holding an uncertain edge as if he didn’t know if he wanted to continue or not.
“About?” I nudged gently.
“Too many people in uniform die before their time in order for it to be impressive anymore.” He had a haunted look in his eyes as if he wasn’t looking at me anymore. I wanted nothing more than to wipe that look from his eyes and even found myself reaching over the table towards him, my fingers inches from his face.
FIRE! The voice in my mind screamed so loudly it caused me to jump to my feet, it was Kristy’s voice. Nathan stood as well and stared at me with wide alarmed eyes. I turned and stared out the window and saw dark smoke billowing up towards the sky.
“No,” I hissed. I threw money on the table and bolted for the door, aware of the silent footsteps following me. I skidded to a halt in front of the burning library that Kristy worked in. Flames rose high in the sky, not surprisingly, after all, what would burn better than a building filled with dry paper?
“Alex what happened?” Nathan yelled over the screaming women and children to a fire fighter that was dishing out orders and helping with a hose that was already trained on the uncontrollable fire.
“Not now Nate, there’s still people inside.” He wasn’t wrong, I felt three heartbeats inside, one of which was Kristy’s.
Can you save them all? The vile voice broke through my concerned mind and I felt like I could scream. I recognized his fire right away. I broke for a run towards the library before feeling a pair of strong arms snake around my waist and lift me clear off the ground.
“What the hell are you doing?” Nathan hissed in my ear.
“Let me go detective,” I hissed right back but he instead tightened his grip around my waist. I heard a heartbeat flicker with fear and realized that two of the heartbeats belonged to children. I felt a whimper in my chest but I pushed it down and grabbed Nathan’s arm that was holding me tightly, I wrenched it free and spun him around until he landed on the hard concrete, on his back, with a woosh of air from his chest. He stared at me with incredulity and I glared back.
“Don’t get in my way.” I turned an sprinted for the burning doors, ignoring the screaming firemen behind me. I felt the fire licking my skin and arms, it didn’t burn, it didn’t hurt. Why would it? Fire was a part of me, it was who I am. If only the humans knew. I rushed through the burning building, smoke filling my lungs, which had no difficulty processing it, the pages of books curled, writhed, and wrinkled as flames deformed and destroyed them. I heard the heartbeats on the second floor, huddled together, I heard whimpering and crying too. I took the stairs two at a time and when I got to the second story they collapsed below, we would need a different exit route. I searched the second floor which had more smoke than fire. I heard coughing and followed it to a room that the fire had not reached. I tried the door but found it locked from the outside with a key so I kicked open the door, ignoring the scream of the two young children who were huddled in Kristy’s arms.
“We got locked in here,” Kristy choked back tears as she stared at me. I looked at the two huddled children then ran back out the room, at the end of the hall was a window, I ran to it and looked out, I wished I could get the attention of the firemen. As if hearing my thoughts Nathan looked up and saw me in the window. He called over the captain he had called Alex and then pointed in my direction. I ran back to the room with Kristy and the children fully intent on taking them to the window but as I stepped into the room the floor below me gave a lurch and I heard the sorrowful groaning of the wood that held us, I looked at Kristy who’s eyes widened in panic and understanding. As the wood finally surrendered I did the one thing I hadn’t done in years. I released my wings and launched myself at Kristy and the children. I wrapped my large white wings around us in a protective white feathered shield as the world crashed around us.
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