Dancing With The Devil

The Path Of Destruction: Part II

July 18th: Day Two

Something about the atmosphere surrounding me didn't seem right, so carefully opening one eye I quickly scanned the room.

Fear was setting in and there was nothing I could do to stop it, nothing reassuring came to mind. I ran my fingers through the warm blanket, hugging it tighter to my chest. 

"Hailey? Are you awake?" A voice crept from behind.

"I'm awake." My voice came out as a rasp. "What time is it? I literally just closed my eyes, please tell me I have five more minutes to sleep in."

"It's around 6." He giggled to himself, gently tracing my shoulder from behind. "You need to get up, we have a long day ahead of us."

The sun crept its way through the low bushes and the oak trees, hitting directly at my face.

"Great. The sun's up, and I'm sleeping on a tiny blanket in the middle of trees and plants and a path that might end up being the death of me." I shook my head, laughing as he pulled me up. "Best morning ever."

"Shut up." He laughed, covering his face from the sun. "I'm gonna pack the blankets and the sleeping bag and you, uh.. make us some breakfast with your powers or something."

"I can do that?" I felt my jaw drop down, staring at him like an idiot.

"Maybe, maybe not." He laughed, handing me a purple hair tie. Michael drew on a smile, and carefully placed it in my hand "Your hair tie fell while you were sleeping."

"Oh thanks." I smiled sarcastically, "you know, you could've told me that before I noticed I looked like an amoeba."

I grabbed the blankets and folded them, patting my clothes from all the dirt.

"You aren't- I mean you don't.." He sighed. His blue eyes shifted over to meet mine.

"You look beautiful."

The sound of his voice, the way he said it.. is beyond the point of no return. Beyond what I can take right now. He snaps his glance away, realizing his breathing was heavy.

"Sorry, I.. um." He shook his head, looking away. "I didn't really mean to say that.."

A humble smile grazes over my face, and I ruffle his blonde hair, placing a kiss on his forehead. "It's okay, at some point we're gonna have to accept the fact that we're not together anymore. We just need to learn how to be friends.. you know."

"I think I get it." He laughs.

Our morning drags along, with him making me laugh and us tripping down the rocks.

"I wanna eat." Michael whined. "Come on little one. Work your magic."

"Michael, I don't really have much control over this magic thing yet. I haven't even learned how to use my powers without my hair looking like I'm some kind of snow queen." I sighed, staring at the leaves blowing in the harsh wind.

"Just.. try to focus. Focus on something that makes you happy, think about unicorns." He smiled, shutting my eyes gently with his fingers. "Focus." He whispered into my ear. "That's all you need to do. Just focus. Magic is simply evoking supernatural powers using the balance of nature. So just focus, and everything will balance itself out."

I took a deep breath, my eyes sealed shut.

"Now." He breathed out, grabbing my wrist and moving it in front of me. "Let's start with something simple. Think oats, small little fruits on the side, cinnamon and toast. Anything."