Wingless [Complete]

Chapter 21: Water-Creature

Having a murderous water-dragon who was dead-set on eating some faerie meat hunt us was not a good start to the trip. Neither was it something I had taken into account when this trip was planned. It generally was not something that I encounter often. Not to mention, while it could kill us and eat us with ease, none of us could kill it. Not even the Princess of Wasser. Oh no. Kaylie was downright terrified of it.

So that's how I ended up suspended in mid-air, dangling from Lucas's arms, with Kaylie beside me desperately trying to hold the creature at bay below us. I hung there like a limp rag-doll, trying not to think about the high possibility of being eaten in the next little while. In case you were wondering, I was failing miserably.

"Any last thoughts?" Lina asks jokingly from my other side.

I could hear the little tremor in her voice clearly. Even as she laughed and joked about the situation, my best friend was scared out of her mind. Who wouldn't be? Even Lina could not be unafraid when staring death in the eye. But I didn't want to point out the obvious tension and played along.

"I don't, no. But I have to tell you something and I hate to rat you out, Lucas, but I have to tell Lina that you were the one who ripped her dress last month." I say, twisting around to see his reaction.

I laugh when I see his mouth twitch. I had told him I wouldn't tell, but I could not pass up the opportunity for some last-minute drama. It as just too fun. When I saw Lina's expression, I knew it was worth it.

"What?" She practically shrieked.

"I'm . . . I'm sorry." Lucas apologises.

I try not laugh with slightly hysterical glee. The only time Lucas is nervous is when facing Lina's wrath. After living with her for most of his life, he fully understands the problem with getting Lina angry. One tip: just don't.

"You are sorry?" She shrieks in indignation. "Just . . . sorry?"

"Yes?" Lucas asked, seemingly unsure if that was the correct answer.

It was not.

"You tore my favourite dress and you are just sorry?" Lina's voice went up an octave.

"You both of you just stop?" Isabella cut through their bickering. "We are about to die and you are arguing?"

"They are siblings." I offer.

Isabella just rolled her eyes in response. "Corrin and I are siblings and we are not fighting right now."

"Right now," Lina muttered under her breath.

"Oh, so you finally accepted me as your sibling!" Corrin said brightly.

Isabella glared at him. "Shut up."

"Awww, why?" Corrin whines.

"Because I told you so." She snaps back.

"That's not fair."

"Look who's bickering now." Lina gloated.

I was just quietly watching this scene unfold before my eyes, not saying anything. My mind finally quieted down as I watched the argument like watching a play for amusement. It seems silly and petty but I wanted to do anything to get my mind off the imminent doom below us. I was desperate, not wanting to think about death. Normally I would do anything to avoid arguing.

Then my heart suddenly leapt into my throat as a scream of pure terror cut through the air. My mind instantly kicked into action and I instinctively looked down to see the water-dragon rushing up to us while Kaylie tumbled through the air.

Everyone talked about your last moment being in slow motion. I believed that to be cliche and a silly notion, but as I watched the snapping jaws of the terrifying water-monster come towards us, my mind started to take in everything. It memorised every little detail of the moment. It was not quite slow-motion, but it was close.