A Thousand Miles And Poles Apart

i'd give you my lungs so you could breathe

You shouldn't have done it, you knew that even as you jumped off the balcony. You didn't need the exposure. But you needed to get to Makkari fast, before she escaped. You knew it was unlikely you'd be able to find her again. You flew down to the ground and tried to run after her. But there were too many people in your way. You saw Eros to your right and grabbed him, pulling him away from the girl he was with. "Sorry, I need to borrow him for a moment," you said, pulling him away from the crowds.

"Hey, coitus interruptus much," he glared at you.

You rolled your eyes. "That's not what that means if you're just whispering in her ear. I need a portal, fast."

"Where to?" He asked.

"Outside," you said.

He nodded, thankfully without protest and drew you a portal. "Thanks. Get the others. We need to grab Makkari now or we'll lose her," you said before walking through.

The portal took you outside, where you saw Makkari running past you, a black bag in her hand. Even as a human, she was fast. You knew she could probably outrun you. You stuck your hand out and raised a stump in her path, causing her to trip and fall before running to her.

She glared at you, grabbing the black bag that had fallen.

"Please don't run," you signed to her. Her eyebrow rose as she saw you knew ASL and that she needed it. "I can help you."

"And why would you do that?" she signed back.

"You don't recognize me, but we've met before."

"I don't think so," she said before jumping up and kicking out at your stomach. You grunted in pain as she saluted you and started running away.

You tried to trip her again but this time she was ready for it, and jumped over the mysterious new hill that had appeared in front of her without even questioning it. You groaned. Why was she so fast?

Suddenly a portal opened in front of her, causing her to run into Druig and making them both fall to the ground. Phastos, Sersei and Eros stood in front of them.

"I believe that's mine," Phastos said, grabbing the bag as Makkari laid tangled with Druig. She finally untangled herself from his limbs and stood up as you made your way to them.

"Finders keepers," she signed.

"How did I understand that?" Druig questioned.

"Who are you people?" Makkari asked.

"I know you don't recognize us, but we're your family," Sersei signed.

"I don't have a family," she signed back.

"You do, you just don't remember," you told her. "Look, there's someone really bad after you, we need you to come with us. We can protect you."

"I'm not going anywhere with you crazy people," Makkari responded. "And I can protect myself."

Suddenly, the familiar light appeared in front of you. You sighed. "Really, come with us now. He's here," you told her.

"Get behind us," Phastos said. "Druig, don't let her run off."

"Okay," Druig agreed. He turned to Makkari and signed to her. "Looks like it's you and me."

You didn't miss the smile Makkari gave him. It made you feel weird, though you weren't sure what exactly this feeling was. But you didn't have time to dwell on it now. Phastos put his hands out, golden spheres appearing above his hands. Sersei and Eros stepped forward as well, all three falling in line with you. You smiled. This time, you weren't on your own. Sure, Eros had helped before. But it wasn't the same. This time, at least part of your family was here too, and you'd do this together.