The Fairies Song

Chapter Eleven: Hada

I heard angry shouts. The colour drained from Imara's face. She darted around the library anxiously, searching for somewhere to hide. Alyssa looked out the window and saw the two men barreling down the road. She glanced at Imara.

"Quick," she hissed, "hide here." She motioned to underneath her desk.

Imara dove under the desk right before the two men walked in. Their boots echoed in the library. Imara and I held our breath.

"The girl," one of the men demanded in a gruff voice.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Alyssa's voice suddenly changed. It was sweet and soft. Suddenly, I struggled to remember why the men were even chasing us. I shook my head and called upon the Fairy magic. I cast it over Imara and I. She shook her head as well and crouched lower.

"You know, that girl," his voice was turning sluggish.

"There is no girl here," Alyssa's voice was sweet and calming.

"No girl," the man repeated.

"You have to leave now."

"I will leave now," he chanted. I listened as his footsteps the door slammed behind him.

"It's all clear," she helped Imara up from under the desk. Imara's eyes looked unfocused. She shook her head and thanked Alyssa.

"How did you do that?" she questioned.

"Some things are best left unexplained," she said cryptically. I could've sworn I saw her canine teeth sharpen and her eyes glow red for a split second.

"We have to leave, they'll be back soon," Imara started towards the door.

"We?" Alyssa asked.

Imara's face turned red.

"I mean, me, I don't need you to come with me, I uh," Imara stammered.

"It's okay. Take care of her," her voice was sweet and kind, but not in the same way it was before. She locked eyes with me and winked. Imara opened the door and walked out. The crisp evening air filled my lungs and cleared my mind.

Somthing slammed into Imara. I was thrown from her jacket. I flew up and hid on the library sign. Imara landed sprawled on the sidewalk. There was no cars or pedestrians. No one to see, or call help as Imara was dragged by her hair into an ally. I followed, hiding in the shadows.

I watched in horror as she was kicked in the stomach. She curled up. I looked down to see the person kicking her. He wore a beanie, torn jeans and a vomit green hoodie. His nose reminded me of a pig, and his beady eyes stared at Imara, filled with hatred. He kicked her agian and she groaned.

"Didn't think you'd come back here punk," he sneered.

"I'm sorry, what? I don't speak idiot," Imara retorted. He glared daggers at her before grabbing Imara's bag and yanking it roughly from her shoulders. He started to rumaged through it, tossing things onto the street. Imara groaned and stood up. She doubled over in pain. The man didn't notice her, or he didn't care.

Imara started to quietly back away, but was intercepted by another, just as ugly looking man. He shoved her forward and she landed on her face. She grunted and tried to push herself up, but the second man put his foot on her back.

"S'that all you got?" Imara sputtered through a mouth full of dirt.

"Feisty little one," the man pushed his foot harder into her back. Imara grit her teeth to prevent from crying out.

I looked around. I couldn't sit here while these men beat her to death. I saw an old swinging sign hanging by one hinge above the attackers. If I could angle it just right...

But I didn't want to hit Imara. If I dropped the sign and flew down to protect Imara, I might bit reach her in time. The sign could crush her. She wouldn't die, but...

I noticed a busted windowpane. I flew over and tilted it so the sun was shining directly onto the remaining rusting hinge. I focased and called upon the magic. I released it into the sunlight and bolted down to Imara. I called upon the magic to protect us.

It worked. Just as the sign came swinging down, the magic sparkled around Imara and I, blocking us from harm.

The sun was dipping low on the horizon. Imara stood up with some difficulty and limped to the street. She scooped up her bag, and I helped her gather her belongings. The money was taken, but neither of us wanted to rummage through the pockets of the two men that were sprawled in the ally, a large sign on top of them.

Imara hobbled along on the sidewalk, the sun slowly vanishing from the sky, dipping below the buildings. A cab slowed to stop on front of Imara. A voice yelled from inside.

"Hop in."

Imara hopped in and slammed the door.

"Where to?" a woman asked. She wore a pastel shirt with a floral design. She had short chestnut hair. Her face was splashed with freckles. She smiled at Imara, revealing a dimple on her pale cheek. The name tag on the wall read, Morgan.

"Ladybug cafe, East end, Morgan," Imara replied. Morgan smiled agian. Imara smiled back. She started the car and the engine revved to life. She drove along the road, periodically checking back on Imara.

"I don't have any money," Imara said as they bounced along.

The cab lurched to a stop.

"It's all right sweetie, the ride is on me," Morgan offered.

"Thank you so much," Imara said.

"It's the least I could do," she smiled once more as Imara exited the cab. She sped off as soon as Imara closed the door.

I looked up and saw a two story building standing in front of us. Above the door was a swinging sign that read "Ladybug Cafe." Imara opened the door. A bell tinkled as she closed it behind her.

Along one wall sat a granite counter. Round tables filled the space. Inspirational posters and murals covered the walls. A ladybug plush sat on a couch in the corner. It was a lovely place. Very cozy.

A girl only a few years older then Imara walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a rag. She wore combat boots, ripped jeans, and a yellow "Nirvana" shirt. She had a freckled face framed with short brown hair.

"Imara!" she threw the rag over her shoulder and raced to Imara's side.