Head in the Clouds

Chapter 2: The Girl With the Sunshine Tattoo

"Crap!" 

Allioni's cry preceded a drop. His back hit the ground as he wheezed in pain, and Ko looked on in confusion. 

"Well... that's impressive," mumbled Ko.

His shock didn't come from seeing this boy thump on the ground of an empty barn free of animals and tools. It didn't come from seeing the boy wheezing in pain. It came from seeing that same boy, just moments ago suspended in the air like a pinata. 

"How long have you been able to do that?" Ko asked. He entered the room but left the doors open for a quick escape, "Since the night of the merge I'd bet."

Allioni climbed to his feet. He was rather thin compared to Ko, but not so much to think he was going hungry. He had long hair- unusually long hair that fell to his shoulders in a bunch of reckless curls. He stood in an open cotton button-up and loose cotton pants with his long arms folded over each other. 

"I have no idea what you're talking about," argued Allioni. His voice wavered a lot making him clear his throat and shift the weight between his feet, "I was just jumping."

"Jumping?" Repeated Ko. 

"Yes... jumping," Allioni confirmed, "That's my story, and I'm sticking with it."

Ko narrowed his eyes, "You know I saw you flying, right?"

"What? Flying? You're crazy, man," Allioni scoffed nervously. He paused for a moment, "Wait. I don't have to explain anything to you! What are you even doing here? Wait, who even are you?"

"Okay, settle down," Ko chided. He planted himself on a haystack right at the door remaining a reasonable distance from Allioni, "I'm Ko Suo, of the Suo Dynasty. I was with you and the girls the night of the Merge."

"Oh... wait that means-"

"Let's not get caught up on semantics," Ko interrupted before he could piece it all together, "Do you remember the warrior lady?"

Allioni narrowed his eyes, "And what if I did?"

He almost seemed like a child. Everything he said was so contrarian, and the light from the sun's rays made his light brown skin reveal the dirt and hay clung to it. 

"Then, I'd have a message for you," Ko stated unamused by his antics. His eyes scanned Allioni.

"From her?" 

"Correct."

"Wow," marveled the farm boy. 

As pathetic as he knew it sounded, he did think about the woman with the tattoo since that night. He wondered where she was, or if she'd be back, or if she'd changed too. He imagined she'd gain super strength, or could fly like him. 

"Yeah, well she wanted to tell you to be safe. There are people like the royals who'd want you killed for the magic you possess especially since the fairies have resurrected," Ko informed him.

Allioni hooked his index finger and rested it on his short chin, "So it is true?"

"What is?" 

"That winged children- fairies as they call them, came from the earth and took over a part of Jericho?" Allioni questioned. 

"Yeah, something like that," Ko mumbled.

"Amazing," remarked Allioni, "I wonder if they can fly too."

He didn't quite realize it, much like all the other times it happened, but Allioni's feet could no longer feel the prickly hay scattered across the barn. His body ascended to the heavens as though beamed up. It wasn't until he looked down at his feet did he realize he was in the air again, and it wasn't until he was face down on the ground again did he realize it was better he didn't.