The True Meaning of Human
Disclaimer: Earthborn is my creation…everyone else? Just playing in Stephenie Meyer's sandbox.
Rating: PG
Characters: Earthborn (OFC), Burns Living Flowers
Description: Through a twist of fate, Burns meets a Healer named Earthborn. What followed was something neither expected, but it forever changed how he defined himself.
A/N: I absolutely HATED that Stephenie Meyer ended the book the way she did! It left so many unanswered questions to me…how did Burns end up with his group of humans? Why did he sympathize with them the same way Wanderer did? What's his story? Well, this is my attempt to answer those questions. Hope you guys like it, it's been a long time in the making!
Chapter One
I awoke in a strange room; my mind was disoriented. The last thing I remembered was the crunch of metal, the breaking of glass, the pain shooting through my body…
As I bolted upright, my head spun horribly; what in the world had happened? I was only backing out of my driveway! A hand rested gently but firmly on my shoulder, restraining me from getting up completely.
"It's all right, you're at a Healing facility," a female voice said soothingly. I looked up and found the source of both the voice and the hand. The Healer was bent over, but she looked to be average height for a female. Soft, pale skin, dark brown hair pulled back, and green eyes with the subtle shimmer of the soul inside were the first things I noticed.
"What happened? Why am I here?" I asked, allowing her to gently push me back into a laying position. She released her grip and I noticed deeper; she looked to be in her late twenties, with subtle curves to show her maturity. Her face was timeless, as if she could be much older or younger than her host's age.
"There was an accident; the other Soul was a Seeker who fell asleep at the wheel while driving home from the night shift. He's perfect now, but what about you? I could only heal what damage I saw, but does anywhere else hurt? Do you feel dizzy or nauseous at all?"
I considered that for a moment; the momentary dizziness from changing positions had passed, and now I felt completely normal again.
"I'm perfect, thank you. I was a little dizzy when I first sat up, but that's gone now. Thank you, Healer." She smiled at me, and I noticed her straight, even, white teeth. A strange sensation shot through me as our eyes met, and I noticed her bite her lower lip slightly.
"It was my pleasure to heal you. What's your name?"
"Burns Living Flowers," I replied, then held my tongue. I wished to ask her name, but I didn't want to sound too interested.
"Well, Burns Living Flowers, I'm Healer Earthborn," she replied, still smiling slightly as she blushed. "I guess the name says it all. Where were you before Earth?"
"The Fire World," I answered readily. I couldn't believe she was actually interested in where I had been, but that strange sensation was growing steadily stronger. I realized I was physically attracted to her, and I wondered if she felt the same way, if she could see that I was interested in her.
"Did you like it there?" She seemed more animated; apparently I was the first Soul from the Fire World she had met. I shrugged.
"I was only there one life term. I felt it…cruel to destroy the Walking Flowers, even though it was necessary for survival. I was unable to make myself wait for the Spiders to arrive with an answer, so I chose to come to Earth when my host was nearing the end of its life."
She nodded in understanding as she stared into my eyes; I started feeling a little dizzy again, and I closed my eyes to try to will it away.
"Are you in pain, Burns Living Flowers?" she immediately asked, worry coloring her voice. I shook my head, but that only made it worse.
"Just dizzy, Earthborn," I replied, trying to relieve her concern. I heard her open a bottle and then replace the lid a moment later.
"Open your mouth so I can lay this on your tongue, please," Earthborn ordered gently. I didn't bother opening my eyes as I obeyed, and she laid something on my tongue that dissolved almost instantly. I swallowed and immediately felt better, and I opened my eyes again to see her smiling. I couldn't help but smile back.
"So what were my injuries?" I asked, only to see her face fall slightly.
"You had a hairline skull fracture, and several of your ribs and your left arm and leg were broken," she replied quietly. "I gave you some more No Pain, but from the symptoms you just demonstrated, you may have a concussion as well. I know you feel well enough to run a marathon with the No Pain, but please lie still for awhile, all right?"
"All right," I replied easily, which made her smile again. A knock on the door made us both jump, and we turned to see another Healer peeking around the frame.
"Healer Earthborn, Summer Wind is requesting to see your patient," he told her. She nodded and turned back to me.
"Summer Wind was the other Soul in the accident. He's perfectly fine now, but would you like to see him? He's been pleading to see you since we healed him…I'm sure he wishes to apologize, but if you wished to rest first, that would be understandable," Earthborn informed me gently. I nodded.
"I'll make it a short visit…I'm rather tired," I said as I yawned. She turned back to the other healer and nodded.
"Let him come, Healer Frank, but please tell him to be brief, Burns Living Flowers needs to rest." Healer Frank nodded and disappeared from view, and I heard the footsteps retreating down the hall as Earthborn turned back to me. "I will let you get your rest now…you can stay here as long as you like until you feel ready to leave. Please call me if you have any discomfort."
"How do I call you?" I asked, feeling rather pleased. She walked over and pointed out a button on the railing of my bed, and I felt rather stupid for having to ask.
"Just press that button and I'll be here immediately," she said gently, the small smile on her face making my heart beat faster. After that she left the room and a tall man in a rather disheveled suit nearly ran into the room, but I hardly heard a word he said. I was entranced with the green-eyed Earthborn.