Daughter of the Sky

Golden glow

Nyx woke up by the sudden lack of rambling of a machine under her and the harsh closing of the doors of a car. With a jolt she sat up struggling disorientedly against the heavy blankets around her. Suddenly a rough voice called out to her „Hey! What are you doing there?!"
Startled, she froze, her wide eyes locking onto the intimidating man who seemed to be the truck driver. Panic surged as he started towards her, reaching out. With a painful thud, she hit the concrete as she tumbled from the truck, her knees scraping against the harsh ground. Desperately, she staggered to her feet and bolted.
„Hey! Stay here!" the man shouted after her.
Nyx didnt stop. She didnt know where she was or where she was going, but her fear kept her going. As she ran, she realized she was in a big city, the ones her Mama would always get their supplies from. Her Mama had never let her visit one, though, and now Nyx understood why. The disoriented child stumbled upon a busy main road. A deafening honk caused her to whip around just in time to see the blinding headlights of a car closing in on her in worrying speed. A scream ripped from her throat and she jumped back, landing harshly on the sidewalk.
People sneered down at her as they passed and Nyx quickly scrambled to her feet again. Tears filled her innocent eyes as she looked around herself in this overwhelming chaos. Traffic roared, stone buildings loomed sky-high, and colourful billboards flashed brightly, assaulting her senses.
She tried to push through the crowd, but at her small height, she was jostled and shoved by countless people. Finally, she made it. Absolutely exhausted, Nyx slid down a grimy wall, collapsing into a dark and dirty corner. Sobs wracked her small frame, and her head throbbed. When she reached up, she found blood probably from her fall on the unforgiving concrete of this city.
It could have been minutes or hours that she crouched there, too overwhelmed to move, when a deep, bone-shaking growl pierced the air.
Nyx squeezed her eyes shut, her heart pounding as terrifying memories of the monsters from the dark space under her bed at home flashed her mind. She shivered, certain that the creatures of her nightmares had come to life. Then, another growl - louder, closer -  shattered the silence.
Opening her eyes she found herself face to face with a black, wolfish monster. It bared its yellow and very sharp teeth, its crazed eyes having focused in on her.
Nyx froze, terror rendering her breathless as she pressed herself against the cold wall behind her. This thing would rip her apart, that she was sure of, when the hound prepared to pounce. A whimper left her lips and Nyx closed her eyes once more when the beast lunged.
But instead of pain, there was a blinding, golden light that lit up behind her closed eyes. Silence enveloped her.
Cautiously, she cracked an eye open to find to her shock an older boy standing before her, his figure outlined by a faint golden glow. Behind him, scattered ashes drifted in the wind - the only proof of the monsters existence.
He turned around to Nyx and approached her slowly like one would with a frightened deer.
„Hi there, little Nyx.", he said gently. „You are safe now, I promise, okay?"
The girl backed up in her corner, strange of the weird boy. His blue eyes were kind and despite her better judgement, and mothers warnings she found herself strangely drawn to him. His golden aura was both otherworldly and comforting.
„W-who are you?", her voice came out small and scared.
The boy's expression softened, and he crouched to her level. „I am Apollo and I am here to bring you to a safe home, sweet girl."
Slowly, he extended a hand towards her patiently waiting for her to choose to trust him. Something about him made Nyx feel a warmth she hadnt felt since she had to leave her home. Carefully, she reached out and placed her small hand in his.
As soon as their hands met, the blinding light from before enveloped her. This time, though, she didnt fight it. Trusting Apollos words, she closed her eyes and let the light carry her away.