The Life of Jezebel Firetongue

32

Jake was startled. "What? Jez, I'm just coughing..."

"Jake, you're coughing up smoke and blood. Every time I kiss you, I'm putting smoke into your lungs."

"Jez..." Jake reached for my hand and I pulled back.

"I'm a monster," I whispered, backing up to the edge of the cliff. Tears prickled in my eyes and I started to shake. "I'm a terrible, terrible monster."

Before Jake could stop me, I flung my jacket at him and jumped off the cliff, extending my dragon wings and flapping slowly into the distance. Birds flew away at the sight of me, squawking for their lives. I wasn't even accepted amongst them. Tears built up in my eyes and I rubbed them off. Why can't I be normal? This relationship with Jake was giving me hope for once that I could be normal. Yet even now, my hopes had to be crushed, and the monster unveiled once more.

When I found a nice hidden alcove in a few intersecting cliffs, I landed and turned to face the sky. Now that I was alone, I freely screamed curse words that were aimed at Dr. Davis. A hazy fog veiled my eyes and I sobbed and screamed until I ran out of steam. Then I just leaned against a cliff wall and stared into the distance, letting my wings curl around me. The one great thing about having wings is that they were always there for you. Whether you need a hug or a blanket, they always provided. No matter what they're made of.

"Hello?"

I spun around and saw a man. My wings tucked into my back and I hit the ground, swinging my leg out to knock his leg out from underneath him before rolling on top of him. "You came at the wrong time, buddy. Tell me your name and what you want, quickly, or I'll kill you. I don't care who you are, I'll do it. Now talk."

"My name is Plant. I noticed the problem you were having, about your boyfriend. I can help," he gasped. Apparently, I'd knocked the breath out of him too.

I narrowed my eyes and reached into my pocket. There was some string and a paperclip. I tied the guy's hands like a regular boy scout and then pulled the guy to his feet. "Talk," I spat.

"Dr. Davis sent me to spy on you. I came when Jake started coughing. Look, I had this same problem. Dr. Davis designed me to be able to grow plants from my skin and from things just by touching them. He had to create a filter for me to help with the plants feeding off of the carbon dioxide in my blood system, since I needed some for myself. He could make a filter for you too, since you generate fire in your lungs. Just come with me and-"

"No," I growled. I'll admit, it sounded interesting. I mean, it wasn't just kissing that was the problem. The fire burned my lungs a little bit too, and it made it harder for me to sleep, breathe, or eat. But there wasn't anything that could make me join the person who caused this. "I don't want to be anywhere near that man again. Get out of my face, and tell him to drop dead."

"Alright, alright. I understand. You see, we're taught about you, the first successful mutant human. I know you've had some rough times. We just would like to make it better. You'd be happier if you joined us. And think of how happy Jake would be..."

"Don't you dare bring Jake into this. He knows that it would kill me to join you."

Plant sighed and nodded, giving up. I knew that in another world, he probably would have been a really cool dude who I would have liked. Poor guy.

Sadly, we were living in a twisted world that made him my enemy.

I yanked the paperclip out of the string and the knot loosened. Then I pulled on one end of the string and it untied completely. "Leave. Now," I hissed.

Plant turned on heel then, adding the message that he was probably required to add. "This is not the end, Jezebel Firetongue. Dr. Davis wants you to join him. And the good doctor always gets what he wants."

As Plant walked away, I found myself regretting the fact I hadn't snapped his neck.

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