Devil's Paint; A Fairytale

Day (6)

     Around noon, the storm finally subsided.

     Lucy was the first to notice, urging her father to remove the metal sheet and look outside. Beyond the door frame, massive chunks of earth littered the ravaged street. Other families poked their heads outside. There were no animals to be seen. Darce sent Icarus to check the crops; they were all ruined, even the apple trees.

     The priest shook his head sadly. "My children, that was the work of the Devil." He proclaimed. If only he knew how true that was, thought Icarus. Nearly everyone in Hostel had gathered in the church-yard to assess damages. Icarus lingered at the edge of the large crowd, trying hard to disappear. "Icarus!" Someone called, "Hey! Over here!" It was Letitia, leaning out from behind a tower. Without thinking twice, he dashed to join her.

     "Have you seen my harp?" She asked worriedly, "I can't find it anywhere!"

     Suddenly, a strange paralysis overcame Icarus. It was exactly like the first day; He couldn't move at all. He was no longer in control.

     "Do you think I care?" The words dripped from Icarus' mouth like poison. He couldn't stem the flow. "I hate you! Don't pretend I was ever friends with you!" Then his hand was in the air, moving all on its own, striking Letitia across the face.

     He could move again. He ran.

    As soon as Icarus was far enough from the church, he collapsed against a wall, tears threatening to streak down his cheeks. "What did you do that for?" He shouted, "She's my only friend!" Nuri was silent. It was a long time before he answered. "Was your only friend. This is my destiny. I was born for this, Pretty-boy."

     He wanted so badly to curl up in the grass and never move again, but after an eon, Icarus picked himself up and walked home.

     Only Lucy waited there for him, playing a game of doll's picnic. She smiled brightly when she saw him. "Everyone else is out in the field, will you play with me?" She asked, her eyes shining. Icarus took a deep breath. "Sure Lucy, what do you want to do?" The little girl thought. "I think I'd like to watch you draw."

      Taking out his sketch-book and pencil, Icarus sat down on the braided grass. Lucy curled up next to him. "Go on," She said, "Draw something!" That was easier said than done. The only thoughts in Icarus' mind were his ruined friendship and the demon that lived there. He started off with a single line, which became his mother. Then his father next to her, holding her hand. "Wow!" Lucy exclaimed, "That looks just like them! You're so cool, Icarus, I wanna be just like you when I grow up!"

     Icarus smiled at his sister, feeling a pang of sadness. "That's a nice thought. But why not try being yourself? Maybe Lucy will grow up to be even better than Icarus." Lucy giggled and hugged him. "There's no way! You'll always be the best!"