ineffable memories / / bucky barnes

[thirty-one]

TIMESTAMP: PAST, 1822

Kai thought the threats were just in her head, but they were real—she was being chased. In a world of creatures, news spread fast, and now everyone was after her: some seeking revenge for Lady Whispers, while others wanted her training and guidance.

"Who's there?" She asked low, knowing that if it was a supernatural creature, they'd be able to hear.

"I was wondering how long it would take for you to realize you weren't alone, " a soft female voice said before she landed on the ground. The tree branches aren't that comfortable."

"If you can fly why would you just stay on the branches?" Kai asked, evaluating the woman - the child - before her.

"I don't like to waste unnecessary magic." With a smile, Luna reached out to Kai. "I'm Luna."

"You're a child."

"Yet I know all about you." Luna grinned, wandering around Kai. "I'm not here to hunt you down. However, I did hear what you did. Is it true what they say? About Lady Whispers?"

"You know a lot for a child." Kai mumbled, facing the other girl. "Who are you?"

"I told you who I was." Luna shrugged and then sighed. "I'm way older than you, trust me. I'm just trapped in this body."

"What do you want?" Kai sighed, wanting to keep going with her runaway.

"I knew your mother. Your family."

"Then you certainly know more than me."

"Did you ever ask your mother why everyone called your family "the broken angels"? Luna tilted her head, noticing how she got Kai's attention. When the other didn't answer, Luna went on. "Every family of witches has a special superpower and there's always one member of the family who has an even bigger one."

"How does that correlate to..."

"It was written in the Book of Death that some people were meant to be like angels for other people: without knowing, you'd even give your life for them"

"Isn't that a bit suicidal?" Kai frowned.

"Depending on the point of view." Luna shrugged. "Your name was there, Katherine. You were meant to be your mother's angel and when the time comes you'll be someone else's."

"My mother was..." Kai started, unable to finish. "How do I know if what you're telling me is the truth?"

"Your mother betrayed, abused, and tried to sell you." Luna paused to create tension. "And yet you were ready to destroy the whole world for her. To keep her safe."

"She was all I have, that doesn't prove anything." Kai mumbled, feeling suddenly like a lonely kid.

"I searched for you day and night after your mother passed away." Luna said, revealing some of her wrinkles below her eyes.

"For what?"

"To tell you that there are people like you out there. People who don't want you dead." Luna smiled a bit as Kai tried to explain the unexplainable connection she felt with the young/old lady.
"How will I know who I have to protect?"

"You'll know. When you see him, you'll know." Luna scrunched her nose. "I can only tell you that it's gonna take a few years until you feel it in your heart."

"Is my family's prophecy true? Will I die by the hands of who I love?"

"Death isn't the ending, sweetheart." Luna whispered, blinking slowly. "Only some people were chosen as actual angels of someone, Katherine. No one in your family has ever been chosen."

"Why are you here, Luna?" Her tone of voice was between desperate and exhausted.

"Your mother was my apprentice. Way before she met Lady Whispers. When she was still good." Luna said softly, looking away. "I vowed to protect you if anything happened to her."

"You couldn't have protected me when she was alive? When I was being abused by her and her men?" Kai's voice broke.

"She cast me out of your life. I couldn't interfere even if I tried, and I did try. That's how I got stuck in this body."

"Why was I chosen? I was a mere child. I didn't ask for this. There isn't a single special bone on my fragile body." Katherine narrowed her eyes, fighting back the tears.

"Fragile? Oh sweetheart, you defeated the witch of the witches out of anger. You made the whole world of witches know your name. Some want you dead, some want to thank you but either way, you made your way to be considered more than just fragile." Luna laughed, twirling her hair like she was a teenager. Between the feeling of defeat, Katherine felt a bit proud of herself but it was quickly snapped away from her. "But you're not special either."

"You're neither an innocent child nor a beloved old lady." Katherine said, flinching a bit when Luna got closer to her. "I don't care about your prophecies or rules, or anything. I'm done. If there's a way to spare me from eternal living, I beg you for it."

"Talk about some suicidal behavior." Tilting her head, Luna wondered. "What about the person you'll meet and want to protect?"

"If I'm dead I won't have to do anything for them. Haven't I given enough of my soul to protect someone who didn't deserve it? Why bother to go through all of that again? What is the point of an endless suffering life? To protect a man I know nothing about?" Katherine's emotions swirled around between anger and desperation but in reality, she just wanted everything to be over.

"He might be your salvation, Katherine."