Alexandria's Genesis

Stories in the Candlelight

Aleissia wouldn't leave until Avrel agreed to head back to the main road, which meant Avrel couldn't get a better look at the explosion site. Aleissia clung to Avrel like a bear trap. Um, that's something Aleissia showed them in a book. Once they got to Aleissia's home, they said their goodbyes.

"See ya tomorrow, Aleissia. Hope you feel better soon," Avrel says

"Yeah. But.... what if it saw us? What if it comes after us? I.... don't want to leave you," Aleissia whispers.

"They- it didn't see us. We'll be perfectly fine. And I'm only down the street," Avrel persuades.

"I know that, but.... I.... feel safe in your arms. I'm scared Avrel," she murmurs.

"We'll be ok. I promise no one will hurt you, ok? Now I gotta- wait, what did you say?" He stops himself.

Aleissia blushes and looks at the ground. There is a long silence, then she opens her mouth. Before she can say anything, Avrel juts in, "Never mind, just - keep silent about what happened. Something like what we experienced won't just be accepted if you tell people. I'll see you tomorrow." Avrel hugs her, extra tight, then turns and walks down the street.

"HEY!" Aleissia calls before he can get too far. "Could I, uh, stay with your family tonight? I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind saving a little food."

And so, Avrel and Aleissia walk to his house. Avrel's family greets her at the door and welcomes her in. His older sister was out for a few days, so they had a place for Aleissia at the table.

They have soup for dinner and talk about life. Aleissia eases up because of the company, especially Avrel's. Then after all the bowls and utensils are put away, Avrel asks his mother, "So how about a nice story. I love your stories."

"Oh sure. Is there any in particular you would like to hear? Any requests from the dear miss Aly?" Avrel's mother inquires.

"Yeah, actually. We want to hear that one about the Purple Girl," he says politely. Aleissia is a bit confused why he said 'we', but she went with it.

"But I just told you that one, recently. I've got a much better one about the Last Dragon."

"But we want to hear about the Purple Girl," he responds, a little agitated.

"Oh come on, the Last Dragon is more interesting than-"

"Tell us the story of the Purple Girl!" Avrel interrupts, slamming the table. His smile is gone and his eyes are very serious.

"Avrel, what's the big fuss about?" his mother asks.

Avrel keeps silent for a few seconds, thinking of what to say. He finally answers calmly with, "I tried to tell Aly about it, but I couldn't remember everything. I'd hate to leave her with only half the story. Would you mind finishing it off?"

"Alright then, where did you get to?"

"Just start from the beginning. It's not much of a story without the beginning."

"I suppose not. Well then, Aly, you're in for quite a treat."

Aleissia and Avrel huddle together as she starts her tale.

"Legend tells of a girl. A girl with purple hair, purple eyes, purple clothes, some even say purple skin," she pauses, "and purple magic. Quite obviously, she is known by the name of: Purple Girl. And she is the Purple Girl because she seems to never age. An ageless girl. Can you imagine?" And off she went, discussing the adventures and mysteries that happen around the girl. Avrel's sister and Aly may be listening for the entertainment, but Avrel listens only for details. Anything that could help him. In his selective hearing, he picks out phrases. "...never age..." "...throughout time..." "...always goes missing..." "...genesis..." "...hunts down evil..."

By the end of the story, Avrel had heard more than enough. Everyone has smiles on their faces, but Avrel was grim and stares at the edge of two walls and the floor.

"And that is the tale of the Purple Girl," Avrel's mother finishes.

"It was lovely," Aleissia responds.

"Thank you, Mom," Avrel states with a faked smile. He gets up and walks to his room. Aly follows him quickly. Avrel's mother just sits there, confused.

Avrel shuts the door after Aleissia, and then his face explodes with expression. Aly tries to comfort him.

"Hey, what's wrong? That story was amazing. Why are you getting all worked up?"

Avrel grabs Aleissia's wrists tightly and looks her straight in the eyes only a few inches away as he whispers intensely, "You don't know what I saw. You saw the cyborg, right? But then you closed your eyes and ran for cover. I stayed there, and I saw something incomprehensible. I saw the Purple Girl. I saw her. I.... I saw color. And this story told me what happens around her. And Aly.... please, just- please stay with me. I'm terrified that if we separate, you're going to get taken, or hurt. So please, don't get out of my sight." Avrel's expression consisted of a bunch of emotions, but Aleissia's expression was only that of fear. Fear of Avrel.

They stared at each other for a while, and then Aly smiles and laughs. Avrel looks at her, confused. "What?" he asks.

"Look, I know I saw the cyborg, but the Purple Girl? Come on! She's just a story! It's not very nice to try to scare someone, especially someone who, well, likes you." She hushed herself at 'well'.

Avrel just stares at her for a moment. Then abruptly says, "You're right. I'm sorry for trying to scare you. It wasn't nice. Goodnight." And at that, walks over to his bed and lays himself down, facing away from Aly.

Aly seems disappointed and responds, "Um, goodnight then."

She gets into Avrel's older sister's bed and blows out the candle.