Short Stories

Strangers in a Strange Place

Salem's POV:
        I do my best to carry Flame, it's been hours. I'm still uncertain of our location, all I've seen are ruins of what I assume of old and forgotten villages. The brush is thick, grass overgrown with vines seeping through the bricks, wildflowers surround the ruins in an untamed beauty, and red toadstools circle the buildings.
        From what light shines through the treetops it's easy to see nightfall is nearing. 
"Not the best place, but it's better than nothing." I whisper, hoping Flame can hear me.

???:
     I watch the two enter the ruins, I can barely recognize one, but I'm unsure. I follow silently, a few others join me, most likely for the same reason. The moving one has an odd presence, the fallen boy has a presence from our land. I quietly fly around the two, since I'm small, it takes a moment for the odd one to notice me, the others watch me from afar. The odd one grabs a knife from the other's suit pocket and points it at me.
"Stay back. I will not hesitate to kill." His voice is a bit shaken, but forceful. I laugh, the group joining me.
"You enter our home and threaten us?" I smile flying around him, " Not one of manners, I see." I approach the fallen boy, growing to a more human size. As I get a better look , I gain a bittersweet smile.
"It's Flame! He's back!" I shout, motioning for the others, "Get ma, we'll celebrate once he's back on his feet!" My voice echos, causing more fairies to approach the building. A few men pick up Flame and shrink him, carrying him to my mother. The odd one, watching us all closely, trying to hide a face of worry.
"Well you brought my brother home, guess I can forgive your poor manners." I look back to the boy. "What do you call yourself?"
"That is not your concern." He speaks, his words laced with venom. I just grin, and offer a hand out.
"I'll get it out of you or Flame. Your choice boy. Now grab my hand, you aren't going to fit in any of our homes at your size."
As much as I hate people with attitudes, he brought home my brother, though not safely. He grabs my hand, obviously unsure. "My name is a Fiana." I say, shrinking us both down and flying us into a tall tree. Many other fairies are flying around and laughing, some are setting up for tonight's festivities.

Salem's POV:
       The creature, now known as Fiana, seems to be a fairy. She's been calling Flame her brother, but Flame never mentioned any family. Though, I never did ask, maybe I could've. I shake my head, I don't care about a low life's family. She guides me through the bright town, how did I not see this when I came in? Small or not it's so bright, too bright to be missed. People are dancing and playing, music fills the air, the smell of flowers is suddenly overpowering. How could Flame leave this place? It seems up his alley. Fiana stops suddenly and I bump into her, snapping out of my thoughts, in front of us is a a small hut made of wood and flowers. She knocks on the door then opens it. 
"Ma, I've brought the other boy." Her voice is a lot less tenss, much more welcoming.
"As expected, I'm in the back, my dear." A quiet voice responds, it is sweet yet precise. She drags me to a back room, Flame is laying on a bed, his skin back to its soft tan, his veins still a bit too blue. I feel a soft pang in my heart, I would have healed him, but it didn't work. Looking back on it, since we got to this realm, none of my magic has. 

Fiana's POV:
       Who is this guy? He's rude and constantly zoned out. Much more, why did he bring an injuried  Flame home? If this guy caused it, I'll have his head. I look back to my brother and ma. Whoever he is, nothing gets between my family.