The Impossibilities of The Dark

The Silent Shores

I choke, my head over my knees as I kneel in the sodden mud. I grip the muddy dirt as my sore lungs emit water. I fight back the bile rising in my throat as I taste the aftermath. I didn't have much time for a break as more water litter the ground below me. 

As I catch my breath, I realize that I couldn't hear anything. No ringing, no sighing of the grasses billowing a good distance from me. Or as Gemi knelt before me, surely speaking to me as her mouth was moving. 

I stare blankly at her, willing my mouth to move. I tried to, my mouth forming the words, but my rebellious throat stopped me from uttering a sound. 

Or was it the deafening silence that stopped me from hearing my own voice?

Warmth floods me as she wraps her arms around my waist, her head leaning on my shoulder. 

I also didn't realize as the cold air bit me in the spots where Gemi wasn't holding me, the water clinging to my body like a thin suit.

I let her hold me as the last breaches of sunlight when out, wanting to pretend like nothing happened.

What did happen?

I look over her shoulder, and all around us. Searching for something that was missing. 

I stand up on my wobbly legs, my eyes roving over the hills around us.

I spot a figure in the distance, and instantly recognize the silhouette. Icel was staring out in the distance, longing in his eyes. 

Rina. What happened to her? I swear, if she didn't make it...no, I wouldn't even think of that conclusion. She was here. She's probably sitting alone, her wet shining hair trailing down one shoulder. 

I remember the moment she was ripped from me, my hands trying to keep a hold on hers. But it was too quick, too strong. As I felt the terror rise in me, not for me, but for her. I loved her. She was my star in a fallen world. 

Those tears that I let fall in front of her, the weakness I let show through.

I realized that I was scared, I had no idea what could've come of my life. What could come in the future. If Icel hadn't gone into those caves, I would probably be dead by now. My bones licked clean. I was scared for my friend, for the possibilities that she could be dead. I had no way to know then, my memories were still gone. 

As of right now, I still don't have them all. Of how I got here, why I ended up in those caves. Almost dead, stringing along to whatever life force I had left.

Rina and Icel had both been there for me, had got me through the worst part of my life. And there was nothing I could do to repay them for that. I couldn't ever repay that kindness. But, I could at least try.

And if Rina was really...gone...I blew any chances of making it up to her. To show her she means the world to me.

A tear escapes my eyes, and I rub it off. She told me I should be strong. 

I look towards Gemi, my face haunted. Foreign. 

I walk towards Icel, letting my feet carry me. Gemi falls in step beside me, her face calm. Like a soft breeze after a hurricane. I knew she was worried for me, she knew how much I cared for Rina.

As we approach Icel, he turns abruptly towards us. Letting out a hot puff of air, he turns back towards the mountains. 

I stroke a hand down his scaly warm flank, giving him some reassurance.

He turns, and flaps his wings only once before he lifts off into the sky. 

I watch him leave into the sunset, his figure leaving over the sun's horizon.

He arrived a little while later, and transformed into his human form.

I sigh in relief, and walk towards him. Stopping one foot away. His eyes start to water, his face reflecting pain. 

"I looked..." He mouthed.

I close the distance between us, and envelop him. However small I was compared to him.

I let him use me, for however long he needed to get it out.

He knew her longer than I did, but I still felt as if the whole world was falling apart without her.

I didn't realize any time had passed until someone touched my shoulder. I've felt that touch before, I wanted that touch. I wanted it to complete me. But she wasn't there.

I look up, and see that Icel's face was showing awe and happiness as he looked over my shoulder.

He let go of me, and walked around me. I look, to see if she wasn't just a figure of my imagination.

Rina.

Me and Icel crush into her, my tears of joy leaking off of my lips.

If she was human, she'd surely be a figure of broken limbs.

I crush my lips onto hers, my need for her overpowering me. I thought she was dead. Dead.

She wasn't though. She hadn't abandoned us, I hadn't let her die. She was alive and well.

A sound broke my thoughts, and I wept even more. I could hear, I could hear the sound of her voice. 

I stop smiling as I see Icel pushed up against a tree trunk, a sharp claw pointed at his throat.

~~~~~

Phew! That was a sad part to write, I couldn't just kill off one of the main characters. That would have be so mean of me, and I wouldn't have blamed you if you had come to murder me. But anyways, sorry for the depressing chapter. I'll make it up to you guys, I promise. Hang tight, it's going to be a fun ride. I have so many ideas, and I know you guys will love it!!! Or I hope so anyway...lol.