Hey guys: When I wrote this chapter originally, it was twice as long, so i split it in half, but kept the chapter name. It is supposed to be called Zane, but i don't know how to change it, sorry about the confusion. The next chapter is called Fight, and it is MUCH better. I love your comments with all my heart, and i'm going to comment back, I swear! love you guys and i'm putting up chapter 2 now. comment and i love you good night!! :)))
Winged
Meredith Fulmer
Zane
The night was perfect, black except for the millions of twinkling stars I gazed at every night. Where was Zane? He had never been late before and it was already past eight. I wanted to fly until dawn. I wandered back to my open window and stuck my head out, peering out into the night for any sign of movement. The cool breeze caressed my face, and I closed my eyes. All of the sudden, Zane was there, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me closer to his body. I heard his wings rustle as he stepped through the window frame. It took me a couple seconds to remember I was still mad about him making me wait. I pulled away from him and grimaced. "You're late."
"Aw, by like a minute." He whined. I rolled my eyes, deciding I probably didn't want to know what he was doing. "Ash, I love you so much, more than anyone will ever love anyone else in the universe." He whispered into my ear. I blushed and giggled, my heart pounding as he kissed my hair.
"I know, I love you too Zane." I whispered back. He smiled, brushing his lips against the tip of my nose. I blushed again.
"Get dressed, the night is still young and I want to show you something before dawn." Zane declared. I hopped down from his lap, yanking down my shorts and sliding on an old pair of jeans. "It's cold, wear layers." he advised. I sighed, dropping the black t-shirt I was about to put on. I grabbed an old sweatshirt with two gaping holes in the back for my wings. Guys had it so easy; they didn't have to wear shirts. I sighed and yanked a brush through my thin, blonde hair and pulled it back into a ponytail. I walked back into the main room, turning around so Zane could help pull my yellow wings through the ragged holes.
I loved the color of my wings, loved the way they fluttered when I was excited or happy. Zane ran his fingers through my soft, shiny feathers. He turned and jumped through my open first story window. I followed, hopping excitedly through the rusty frame. Zane was standing there, wings spread out from his sides, as wide as they could go, which was far. Each wing was six feet long and three feet tall. Since I was nearly two feet shorter than Zane, mine were only about five and a half feet long. I was almost airborne; my wings were fluttering so hard. Zane stood completely still, his pale skin reacting beautifully with his jet black hair and glossy blue wings. I ran to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and laying my head on the hard muscles of his stomach. He lifted me from the ground, pressing his lips to my forehead. "Ready to fly?" he asked.
We soared high, twisting and flipping gracefully in the air. I loved flying, the freezing air against my face, the nerves I always got when I looked down to the earth, miles and miles below. I love watching Zane smile at me like I was the most beautiful thing he'd ever see. He reached out a hand and I kissed it, holding it against my face and breathing in his scent. Zane always smelled wonderful, not like strong cologne or stinky aftershave, he just smelled like Zane. He smelled like home.
We landed at the Grand Canyon at about two in the morning. It was beautiful, the layers of ancient rock all different shades and hues. Zane pulled ahead of me, leading the way. Then I saw the place, a flat plateau far above everything else. He landed, pulling his giant wings into the skin of his back. I did the same; my yellow wings were tired after the long flight. He stood on the far ledge from me, looking out over the vast expanse of rock. I ran to him, dancing along the ground. I leapt a few feet from him, my momentum carrying me onto his back. He grabbed my arms and flipped me over his head. I always felt like a child in his long arms, but Zane said he liked that I was small. It was pretty depressing when the top of my head only reached the very bottom of his chest when I was on my tippy toes, though. He cradled me against his bare chest, humming a soft melody. He sat down cross legged and laid my head against thigh. I hadn't realized I was tired until my eyes slipped closed and sleep overtook me.
I dreamed scary dreams, memories from long ago. I was flying through the night sky, having fun, and then I saw wings ahead of me. It was dark, and thinking it was Zane, I flew as fast as I could, my wings flapping crazily. When I reached the figure, I grabbed his foot and yanked playfully. The winged man whipped around, and I gasped. It wasn't Zane; it was the opposite. His wings were pitch black, his eyes bright red, like rubies. I was about to scream when he reached for me with inhuman speed, his long fingers wrapping around my throat. His fingers flexed and dark spots bloomed in front of my eyes and I felt as though I was drowning. I was sure I was a goner until I heard Zane. He sounded close, too close to these beasts. He was yelling for me, "Ash! Ash, hold on! I'm coming Ashley!" he called. I tried to tell him to fly far away before they got him too, but I couldn't speak, couldn't catch my breath.
I felt someone shaking my arm, and my eyes snapped open immediately. Zane was there, his face only an inch from mine. I was lying in bed, my head resting on Zane's arm. "Morning sleepy." He whispered. I yawned and asked him what time it was. "Six fifteen." He reported cheerfully. I groaned and realized that I fell asleep on the canyon.
"You carried me home?" I asked dizzily.
"Yeah, you were bushed." he said, running his fingers through my hair "Don't worry, it was your first long flight and you did great." I groaned and stretched, the joints in my elbows and all along my back cracking in unison. "Come on we're gonna be late for school!" he urged, yanking the covers off me.
"Yeesh, it's cold!" I yelled, burrowing into his chest.
"I got out clothes for you." He said, clearly proud of the fact.
"Aw Zane, you didn't have to." I moaned. "You baby me too much." And it was true; Zane always did everything for me.
"No, I picked these out specifically for my benefit." He exclaimed, gesturing toward a pile of clothes sitting on my dresser. I sighed and walked over to see what he had chosen for me.
"Zane you've got to be kidding, I'm gonna freeze!" I shouted, shaking my head incredulously at the white miniskirt and yellow tank top Zane had picked for me. "You'll be fine." He disagreed. "Ugh," I moaned, putting the skirt back into the dresser. Zane grabbed my hand and glared at me.
"I've never seen you in a skirt," He said, sliding his hand up my arm and down my back, pulling me closer to him. "and I bet you will look amazing." I hated it when he did this, he never fought fair.
"Fine!" I yelled as he kissed my neck. "Fine you win, but I'm going to turn into ice and become and Ash-sickle by the time we get to school." He pulled away from me and grinned.
"You know I always win." He said
