Dreams

Six

A man emerges from one of the houses. The tall figure walks past me, headed right into the crowd attacking Geneos. He lifts up a glowing hand.

The creatures stop what they're doing and face him. They begin to convulse, their faces scrunching up. The light from his hand grows bigger and brighter. Cracks start to appear all over their skins. I watch as their bodies crumble up into dust. The mysterious man picks up a handful of their remains and blows them into the wind. The corners of his mouth are curled up into a smile.

Geneos caws weakly. His feathers and fur are marked with scratches, bite marks, and blood.

"Geneos!" I shout, running to him. I hold up his head and bring it atop my lap. "Oh god."

"He's dying," a deep voice says. It comes from the strange man. "I can save him."

As he steps closer, the griffin makes a violent sound. His eyes flash anger. With his weak leg, he makes an X in the sand again.

Geneos doesn't trust him.

"Silly beast," he remarks with a laugh, "I'm trying to help you."

He claps his hands, and the griffin begins to glow. I feel something cold about the magic. "What's happening?" I ask. In a few more seconds, Geneos vanishes, leaving nothing but a frosty chill in the air. "What did you do to him?"

"I brought him to a safe place to heal." He holds out his hand to me. I ignore it and stand up on my own.

I scan him from top to bottom. He looks to be somewhere around the age of eighteen. His hair is a very a light blonde, his eyes an unnatural green. He has a striking jaw that fits well with his other features. He stands tall, giving off a confident vibe. He wears a princely suit, light gray in color, with a dark scarlet rose on his breast pocket.

"You're hurt," he comments, making a move at my arm.

Instinct causes me to step backward, and hold my arm protectively. I feel pain at the touch. I see scratch marks. Must have happened when one of those creatures pushed me.

Geneos doesn't trust him.

"Are you afraid of me?" He steps closer, but does it slowly. "Don't be."

He waves his hand and a small fluttering light appears. It floats all the way and lands on my wound. The light shrivels up and dies upon the touch, but my wounds disappear. It is a cold feeling.

"Thank you."

The smile he gives me is strangely inviting, but I can't trust him yet. Everything about him seems too suspicious. His looks, his perfect timing, and the way Geneos acted upon seeing him.

"It's no problem." He holds out his hand. "I'm Damien."

I still don't take his hand. He doesn't look offended, but perhaps he's just not showing it. "I'm Lia."

"That's a pretty name." That's a cheesy line.

"You're a total stranger, why should I trust you?"

"Because I just saved you and your pet."

"He's not a pet, he's my friend," I say. "And why couldn't you just heal him like you did with me? Why did you have to take him away? How do I know you didn't send him somewhere to die?"

For a moment, he stays quiet. Like he's thinking on what to say. He steps closer, but this time I don't back away. I meet his stare. He's a few inches away from me. I begin to feel conscious of my height. He's a head or so taller than me. Curse you universe! Why did you make me stop growing at 5'3"! I try to keep my cool. If ever had to look confident for once in my life, this is it.