MirrorSide

Sleepy Wings

Kristina yawned, resting her head on her propped up arm. High School was such a bore. Usually she was a much more studious learner, but today was different. The lecture seems to drag on and on. So instead her eyes wandered out the window watching the rain poor. At least she could escape here, a sanctuary of daydreams in the rain. Her mind often wandered on days like these. A respite from high school life. The abrasive nature of the students, the cold cutting comments, the armed walls between hearts. She heard the whispers that followed her in the hallway, she was not oblivious to them.

She sighed, casting all these aside to escape again out the window and into the rain. Her eyes tracing circles in the sky, imagining what it would be like to fly in the cool shower, what it felt like to not be bound by the earth's pull. It was then she noticed something, or rather a lack of something. She could make out the outline of something moving. An empty space in the rain. It glided in the air, like a bird flying circles over the school grounds. Her eyes squinted, trying to make out what it was. Large body, long tail, great wings. it must have been wishful thinking but that didn't stop her heart from standing still. She could not help but rise abruptly, slamming both her palms on the desk.

The noise brought her back to the classroom, she turned towards the teacher half afraid of getting reprimanded. yet he did not notice her, nor did the rest of her classmates. In fact his voice was rather distanced, like a subtle hum. The whole classroom distant like a dream. She looked around dazed, confused as to what to do. She recalled the apparition and again turned to the window, approaching it and almost pressing her face against the glass. her heart in her throat as she scanned the skies for the creature.

There it was, much closer than before. The outline of a dragon in the pouring rain. It swooped out of the sky, apparently taking notice of its human observer. She felt its invisible gaze upon her and backed away from the glass. Its path came to a hover before the pane, outstretching its claw and pressing its palm against the window. Kris was unsure. Was this just a dream? subconsciously she reached out. placing her hand flat out on the flimsy clear that separated them. In awe of its size, her hand minuscule in comparison to its large talon. somehow, she could tell it was smiling. Her own lips curled into the biggest grin.

The dragon, then took off, flying a couple loops as if to say "come play with me"

Half filled with fear half with excitement, she turned and blasted out of the classroom. Not even bothering to check with the teacher first. He and the rest of their classmates might as well have been on another planet at this point. Her form flew through the halls pleading to any god that would listen "Please PLEASE still be there, Please did not be a dream" Her pace was desperate, almost tripping and killing herself down the stairs. Each step was lighter and lighter. her heart aflutter with hope and at the same time fear. Kristina busted through the double doors and out into the rain. Breathless her head turned desperately searching for something, ANYTHING that proved what she saw was real.

Fear crept into her heart and she began to wonder about her sanity. In silence she stood, only the sound of the rain and her breath. her body beginning to slump, soon it was indistinguishable what was rain running down her face, and what was tears.

"Why.. Why would you do this to me" she spoke allowed, having no clue who she was asking. The apparition or herself.

Kristina turned, devastated and tired of the rain, wanting to trudge back inside and collapse on the floor.

There it was, standing between her and the door, that invisible space in the rain. She suddenly felt vulnerable, exposed, wiping tears from her face she dare not make any sudden movements. The thing was much larger than she thought, and she felt so small with nothing between them. The situation was almost unfathomable to her, yet there it was before her. She could feel its hot breath on her face, feel the presence of its large claws on the ground. Her legs shivered partially because of the rain and also fear. Yet fighting the instinct to run, she reached out her hand, searching for the invisible creature with her fingers.

IT was coarse, scaly and wet. It snorted on her, blowing back her hair a little. Nervously she giggled as she caressed its snout. There was a certain familiarity there, like she had known this creature her whole life, or perhaps in a past life. The fear slowly left her body. The draconic rose to its hind claws, giving a slight bow before offering its claw. She knew exactly what it wanted, giving a short little curtsy, then taking the claw tip in her hand. Her fingertips barely able to wrap around it entirely.

The rain seemed to quiet as they danced, the dragon led while Kristina followed. Giggling as she was spun this was and that. To anyone watching, this probably looked insane, but she did not care. The was the most alive she had ever felt. Everything up to this moment had to simply be a dream.

Their dance came to an end, kris out of breath but grinning ear to ear, clothes soaked and sticking to her body. Her wet hair lifted as she felt the dragon take flight. its mighty wings almost knocking her down upon takeoff. Something about watching it fly called to kris. She almost heard an audible voice urging her to follow.

For the first time in her life, her wings unfurled. Though she could not see them, she could feel them flexing in the rain. Powerful muscles extending and reveling at each cool raindrop that fell upon them. She did not question this, but was instead overjoyed. Her heart almost bursting from her chest. She gave them a good stretch, flapping them a few times, each powerful motion making her feel lighter. How long had she wished to take to the sky? how long had she waited for this day? She was finally going to free herself from the ground.

Yet just as she began to take off, a hand caught her wrist, holding her like an anchor. Her head turned and she was rather frightened by what she saw.

She knew this person from another life, she knew this face, this hair those eyes. Yet she had no name. His figure both frightened and angered her. Appearing exactly how she pictured he would with a sad cold look on his face

"You cannot go, you have to stay here"

Those words seemed to ignite a whole new slew of questions and fears, none of which she understood. how dare he exist though, how dare he deny her what her heart had yearned for all these years.

Yet these feelings began to waver, kris felt complacency creep into her mind like spiny fingers grasping her brain. her skin felt numb and her body heavy. A sudden wave of exhaustion swept over her. The Idea of lying down for a nap was starting to sound appealing.

"IT's time to go back to sleep Kristina"

His voice was so soothing, so comforting.

"Yes, I should just go back to bed"

Her words sounded, out of place but she was beginning to believe them her head lulled back, letting the rain caress her face

Something bugged her though, like she had forgotten something important. A name, a place, a loved one, maybe even herself. Kristina's eyes felt heavy, the last image she saw was a dragon flying off into the distance. without her..

"No" it was quiet at first, like a spark or someone calling your name from afar

"no.. No.... NO!!" Louder and louder it grew until it was a roaring flame within her soul. A torrent of rage and determination. It could not end like this, It will not end here.

Kristina broke from her trance, bashing her captor in the face. Immediately she was free from his grasp. Her wings stretched wide, with one mighty sweep she propelled herself skyward. Higher and higher she climbed. daring not look back towards the ground but rather towards the clouds. Breaking through the storm head and into the light...
The man left behind wiped blood from his nose. Though it was raining his red hair remained completely dry. Blue eyes watched as she sailed far beyond his reach, it was too late to stop her now. A devious grin curled up the corner of his mouth.

"Good Morning Dragoness.."