Above

8

Luca
My ankle hurts, and I can't really hear a load.
But I do hear Estelle scream.
I glance up to see her running toward me.
Erich follows closely behind her, his shirt over his mouth and nose.
Estelle on the other hand, no protection. I've always known she was suicidal.
She kneels in front of me. "Can you stand?"
"I hurt my ankle." I say, I think I also popped both of my eardrums.
Erich slides my arm over his neck, he softly instructs Estelle to do the same.
Estelle reaches over and pulls my shirt over my face before pulling up hers. Then, she slides my arm around her neck.
They both stand and walk to the mine-thing.
Estelle gives the people at the gate a little nod, and they slide it shut.
***
My mom's angry while she wraps my ankle.
It was twisted, not broken, lucky for me. 
Yet, still, my mom's lips were pursed and her hands shake with anger.
"Mom, I'm sorry." I start.
She glares at me. "Be quiet."
"Mom." I start. "Mom please--"
"Lucarth Graham Abernathy!" She snaps. "I've lost you once, I can't believe you would even risk this!"
"Mother!" I say. "I'm fine!"
"You're so lucky you're half lizard and you heal faster." She grumbles.
Ned walks up to ny mother. "Fran, Melissa needs your, um, help."
She sighs. "Okay." She turns to me. "Keep weight off that foot, don't need you more hurt."
***
"Luca's a nickname?" Estelle's voice asks from near me.
"Yeah." I say.
"Lucarth is an awesome name though, why don't you use it?" She asks.
"Too epic for my liking, and I've always liked the name Luca." I sit up.
She sits on the edge of the cot. "Lucarth the Lizard."
"Underground Girl." I tease.
She grins. "Any new advancements?"
"Nope." I pop the 'p' for special effect.
"How's the ankle?" She asks.
"Twisted, not broken." I answer.
"That's good news." She says.
I look up at the rustically carved ceiling. "How's your progress?"
"I dunno." She says. "About what?"
"Your superpower." I grin.
"Oura konnes, and good." She answers.
"How's September?" I ask.
She shrugs. "I'm hoping he's okay."
"I hope he is, too." I reply.
She nods, sitting quietly for a second. "I should go, before an angry Fran attacks me."
I close my eyes, hoping to get another nap. "Hey, Estelle?"
"Hmm?" She asks.
I smile softly. "Thanks for saving me."
"No problem Lucarth." She says, then I hear her departing footsteps.
***
Estelle
I sit against the cave wall, staring into the darkness.
As a physically well person, I was chosen to sleep on the floor.
September's head leans on ny shoulder, soft snore occasionally leaving his mouth.
Leeciy was next to me, laying on the floor. He clearly wasn't asleep, because of his tossing and turning.
"Leeciy?" I whisper.
He sits up and looks at me. "Hmm?"
"Can you not sleep?" I ask softly. 
He shakes his head.
The lighting was dim, but I could still see him.
I sigh. "What's wrong?"
"I'm worried." He admits.
"What are you worried about?" I ask.
"Everything." He answers. "I'm so worried I'm going to explode." He scoots against the wall on the other side of me.
"That would be tramatic." I joke.
"Sure would be." He says, playing with my fingers.
I turn my head so I can see him in my peripheral without waking September. "Well, I'm worried too, if that helps any."
"I mean, I guess." He pauses. "Why am I even telling you this?"
"Because Leeciy, I care." I answer, softly.
He stays quiet, his arms folded against his chest.
"Are you alright?" I whisper.
It takes a second for him to respond. "I am now, thanks."
"I'm not going to be able to sleep." I say.
"Neither will I." He agrees.
September stirs, tightening his hands into fists.
I reach up and stroke through his curls, lulling him back to sleep.
"You're going to be a good mom." Leeciy says, softly smiling at us.
"You'll be a good dad." I whisper.
He shakes his head. "I'm very sure that I'm going to die before Cirus reaches teenhood."
"I won't let you die." I answer.
He leans his head against the wall. "You can't promise anything."
"But I will." I say. "And I do."
He stays quiet. "Get some rest."
"I can't." I say softly.
"You can use me as a pillow again, just try, okay?"
I nod, leaning my head on his shoulder. "Can you sing?"
He stays silent for a minute before starting to sing Yura Pung, one of the most traditional Pangaean songs.
I close my eyes and just listen, falling into a deep sleep.
***
A week later we were above again, training like crazy.
I quickly rose ranks, starting to train with Annaliesee and Luca. Which means we have daily spars.
Annaliesee usually spars against both Luca and I, but today it's me against the both of them.
Luca swings past me, scratching my arm.
I turn, jumping backward.
My arm's bleeding, and my shirts destroyed.
Annaliesee hits me with a small line of fire.
I throw my foam-tipped axe.
It nails her in the chest, and she falls on the ground and fake-dies.
Luca places a sticky hand on my back, flipping me over his head.
I roll out of the impact, my head hurting slightly.
He shoots a foam tipped arrow, which hits me in the arm.
I push myself up, running at him. I pull a foam-tipped knife out of my pocket.
Luca loads another arrow, aiming.
I throw my knife at the same time he lets his arrow fly.
We both fake-die at the same time, falling dramatically on the ground.
"What do we do if we both die?" I ask.
"Well, you killed both of us, so I guess you win." Luca says.
"Heck yeah." I say, sitting up.
Annaliesee walks over to us. "Estelle, you may need stitches."
I look at my arm and gasp at thr blood.
Luca laughs. "Oops."