Collision

Burnt Out

🔥

The bitter, gloomy sky looms over my head and salty rain runs down the back of my wings.
It has been a week since we received the news... The news of my father passing in battle.
I stand in front of his casket as it's lowered into the grave, tears mixing with the rain running down my face.

Out of the corner of my eye I can see my mother turn her head to me, but I can't look back.
As the soldiers who carried the casket leave, my mother passes by me, briefly putting a hand on my shoulder, a gesture meant to give me comfort, and then leaves to go home.

I don't move. I just stand there, staring down at the gravestone.

A shadow casts over me and rain ceases it's depressing cascade down my body.
Looking up I notice a wing held over my head and I feel my eyes widen when I see "...Garrett?"

"What's up, firecracker?"
I notice small, physical changes from the last time we met. Tall, his brown hair finally got the signature blond streak that all Eagles sport, a lot more muscular too... but I can tell by the warmth in his eyes and the quirk of his lips that he's still the same ol' Garrett.

His arms are crossed and he looks over at me with his blue eyes, giving a pitiful half-smile, he needs a shave, there's scruff around his face.
I haven't seen him in years, not since his family sent him off to training camp when we were eleven.

Looking back down at the gravestone I swipe a tear from my face.
"I didn't expect you to come..." I say quietly.

The sound of rain hitting his wing fills the silence.
"He was like a second father to me, I wouldn't miss this for the world. He was a great man, Jae."

I feel a weight settle on my shoulders and the warmth of his skin settles at the back of my neck.
"I'm so sorry for your loss."

More tears drop and we fall into silence again, getting pelted by the rain.

"Would it be alright if I walked you home?" Garret offers.
After hesitating for a moment I nod gently.
I can feel a headache coming on, I hope I haven't caught a cold.

We head out of the cemetery, his right wing still over my head as a shield from the rain.
The wet soil sinks beneath our shoes and then clacks against stones of the path.

We walk slowly through the dimly lit town, the rain pouring on us.
The streets almost empty, a few locals speckled around corners.

"...So how's training camp doing? And you and your family?" I ask, curious about what he's been up to.

Garrett lifts his head, looking forward. "Camp's been... exhausting, to be honest," he chuckles softly, "and my family's doing okay, my mother's sick, though."

"Oh no, I hope your mother gets better soon, she's a wonderful woman... unlike my mom..."
Another pause in the conversation, heels click against cobblestone in hurried steps as a woman rushes past us covering her hair.

"What about you? How's training going?" Garret inquires.

"...Training's good. I'm just not sure if they'll let me train anymore now that the captain of the royal guard is gone," I add bitterly, "There are many people who would happily kick me from my rank."

"Hey, I'm sure they'll let you stay, you can fight better than any man there... as good as your father, maybe even better."
My eyes are on my feet, arms wrapped around myself, my lips press together in a tight line.

As we get to the door of my home Garrett steps back to take and looks me over.
"You haven’t changed a bit," he says softly. At my raised brow he quickly adds, "I-In a good way, though!" with a chuckle.

"Same for you," I respond, half smiling.

"It was great to see you again, firecracker. I need to head back home now, but I’ll see you around," Garret says, stretching his wings and hovering.

I wave goodbye as he flies away, unsure of when we'll next meet, but I did miss him... "Thank you, Garrett, for lifting my spirits on a dark day like this," I whisper to his fading figure, and with that I head inside feeling lighter than I have in a week.