Dawn

Shallow optimism

The laughter of children ringed in the air as they played around,
Singing songs and kicking balls, she adored.
The young girl watched and listened with envy. The ball rolled to her feet, picking it up with both of her hands "sorry u-um...can i watch?" The petite girl said stuttering. The bandages rapped around her eyes to the back of her head gave away instantly who she was. The kids watched in horror as they ran away stumbling out of fear. The slender child sighed staring at the balls in her hands.
"Dragon eyes!" An older man called out from behind, snapping her out of her trance.
"Jaeha"
"Come" the man said grabbing her wrist, walking her to their small hut, a 4mx4m square pit house adorned with grey rock walls.
People stared as they walked out of the father and daughter's way while their murmuring ringed in the child's ear.

Dragging her into the small hut, pushing her inside "I told you not to go outside unless it's necessarily needed" he said with a stern tone, grabbing a wooden cup of water, drinking it "why don't you listen to me?"
"I'm sorry jeaha" the girl murmured " but... I wanted to make friends" she said gripping her clothes, looking down.
"So.."placing his cup down "you think you'll make any friends ?!" He said, grabbing the top of her shirt bringing her face to his, this time anger filling the rock walls.
"You can't!, get that into your head and stay inside!" He yelled pushing her aside making her fall on the cold concrete floor.
"I swear you're such a handful" he said sitting down, his voice filled with annoyance
"Jaeha" the girl called out "you're the previous dragon blood aren't you ?, why does everyone in the village run from us?" She asked with innocence.
The older man frowned.
"Is my power cursed?" she asked again looking down.
"Those who see the dragon eyes turn into stone" Jaeha said with a calm yet annoyed tone.
"Huh?" The petit female looked at her father stunned.
"It's a made-up rumour the villagers believe, you won't turn into stone but the dragon eyes paralyzes their hearts. Either way it's a creepy power" he stated
Stunned the young child whimpered at the verge of tears.
"Don't cry it's annoying!" Jaeha yelled slamming the wall above her. "But I'm really cursed" she yelled letting her tears flood her eyes "yeah that's right!, you're cursed by that damn dragon!" He yelled at the petite frame infront of him "D-damn it, who gives a damn if it's some legendary power , why does it cling to this village ?, even if the dragon blood dies a new one is born in this village! And the villagers do nothing but spread stupid rumours" he yelled with frustration.

As days passed by, Jaeha grew more blind everyday but his daughter's eyes could see clearer and farther as tough they were absorbing power from Jaeha's eyes.
Jaeha was strong even though he was getting blinder by every passing day. He taught his daughter different ways to protect herself, he taught her to control her eyes but never use them, he warned her that the curse would turn on her, paralyzing her enemies would paralyze herself, it was a double edged sword, and even if it wasn't, people's greediness for the dragon's power would one day come for her.
Jaeha taught her to use a sword.
Jaeha taught her about the power of her eyes.
As stern as he was, the young girl could see the small but noticeable love he had for her, or was it pity?

"That's it for today" Jaeha yelled, standing up.
"W-wait" she yelled tripping on her short legs "don't leave me behind"
He kept walking towards the village as he slightly pulled out his hand
The young girl smiled, the sun setting beaming light towards her direction, her hair shimmered the darkest tint of brown as the wind blew. She grasped her fathers fingers, feeling sparks of joy inside her. She walked alongside him as they headed to the village, leaving the forest.

Arriving, when she looked up to the sky with such a shallow optimism, there shone a crimson far brighter than the horizon.
The young girl stared as the village burnt down. She could hear the screams of children, hundreds of men fighting each other as the elderly seeked shelter, arrows flew from every direction, swords clashed in puddles of blood and dead bodies, horses galloped and ran. Her body froze in place as if her blood had stopped flowing properly yet her heart rate increased. Jaeha instantly grabbed her wrist and made a run to their hut.