Frantic footsteps thumped across the forest floor as trees seemed to pass in blurs. Harsh breaths came from the one fleeing as they struggled to see under the moonlight. Everything ached from the scratches they'd received from low branches and shrubbery. A few bullets had grazed their arms and legs but the runner pushed on.
Wondering if their pursuers were finally gone, they quickly glanced over their shoulder, regretting it when their glowing silver eyes gave them away.
Cursing as the sound of guns being loaded reached their ears, the runner tried to move faster. Unfortunately, a poisoned bullet found its home in their leg. They yelped from the sudden impact as they tripped over a tree root. They cursed again, silently whispering a concealment spell under their breath.
A small flicker of silver appeared in the corner of the lead tracker's eye. He quietly motioned for his party to follow him and they cocked their handguns, slowly stalking forward to investigate. Calming down as best they could, the hooded witch watched in silence, waiting and listening for her pursuers to pass by.
For many tense minutes, all the young witch could hear was the near unbearably fast beating of her heart as it echoed in her ears. Finally, the hunting party gave up their search. It wasn't until they were long out of earshot that she finally released her spell. She struggled to her feet, hissing in pain as the poison worked through her system and the bullet wound throbbed and bled. She leaned on the nearest tree, ignoring the brown curls dancing in her vision as she limped forward.
Tree to tree, the brunette limped through the forest until she found a clearing. It was wide enough to allow moonlight in. Sighing in relief, she stumbled over to the silver rays and settled on the ground there. She turned over so the moonlight would hit her wound and hissed through her teeth at the movement. Clasping her now glowing silver palms together, the young witch prayed to her Lunar Mother to heal her and offer protection while she rested.
Slowly but surely, the moonlight gained a magickal quality to it. It swirled in sorrow at its child's pain and worked to heal her. First, the poison was drained, disappearing on the wind in a sinister green mist. Then the bullet came out, blood finally coagulating and the hole scarring over. The bullet disappeared as well, leaving no trace of its existence behind.
Thanking the moon, the runaway witch made her way to the nearest tree and leaned against it. She allowed her eyes to flutter closed and took a deep breath. Now that she was safe, the brunette could process what had just happened.
They're gone. Tears pooled in her eyes. They're really gone.
Her entire family. All her friends. Dead or lost because of a madman twisting religion to his will. For generations, witches and warlocks lived peacefully with the other people who lived there. It wasn't until recently when a radical bishop had come to power, that things began to turn for the worst.
Suddenly, anyone who practiced magic couldn't buy anything from people of other religions. Then they were denied the right of public practices and meetings because "the public felt unsafe." Dehumanization of witches and warlocks started a few months ago. At first, they just disappeared with no trace of where they had gone. Next, came the public being armed. Finally, everyone else rioted.
Many of the higher status magickal families were targeted first, getting slaughtered in their sleep or at their dining table; only for the house to be pillaged later. Then, as the magickal community began to panic and start to evacuate, they were hunted like cattle. The young witch had watched in horror as her brother was shot and killed trying to save her. Then her grandparents were beaten and shot in the head. Her father and mother had only just lured the larger portion of their hunters away when she'd heard a flurry of gunshots and screams before nothing.
The young witch sobbed as she realized all her loved ones were dead. She hoped some had gotten away in groups. At least then, they could rely on each other for safety.
But she was alone.
And there was no one to save her.
As she slept, the moon's light swirled into being once more. Where it touched the grass, the apparition of a beautiful woman appeared. Her short, wavy brown hair just barely touched her shoulders. A graceful, white toga-style dress billowed around her, silver Roman sandals gently wrapping around her feet and ankles. The thorny leaf crown on her head matched the vine curling around the silver staff in her left hand.
She smiled sadly at the roughed child before her, blue eyes crying silently as she tucked a stray curl behind the girl's ear. She motherly kissed the girl's forehead, allowing her own magick to surface. It gently flowed around the two as she closed her eyes and focused on the future of her young practitioner.
"With this power, you shall live and find the happiness you wish for." When the woman saw the red and gold strings of fate a bit tangled, she forced them free. However, the threat of golden intervention stayed on both. Her eyes snapped open as they flashed silver with her power. "Not even Fate shall stand your way."
When the spell finished, she slowly pulled away. "Be safe, little one." And with that, she disappeared in a burst of light, a gentle, sparkling white mist hovering like fog until it settled a few minutes later.
It was on a gut feeling that J'onn flew out into the forest. Something seemed to be crying out for help. The Martian was weary with it being so late. Dawn was only a few short hours away.
As he walked, a flash of silver caught his eye in the distance. Curious, he carefully approached the source, only to still in shock at the sight he found. It was a young girl, no older than nine, leaning against a tree. Her brown curls were a bit wild and her tanned skin was covered in scratched and various signs of bullets grazing her.
If not for the shaky rise and fall of her chest, he would've believed her dead. Angry red tear tracks from her eyes to her chin marred her cheeks. Fearing the worst, he opened his mind to find the reason for her injuries. The strength of her memories reflected a tragedy, not unlike the one he survived. Then, as if in response to his sudden presence in her mind, the girl twitched. Her eyes fluttered open to reveal ocean blue eyes. They were sorrowful and tired. However, when they registered his presence, they shone fiercely with defiance as silver began to swirl and consume her seas of emotion.
'I am not here to hurt you, little one.'
She was startled by his voice in her head, but her gaze burned brighter. "Why should I trust you?"
For the first time in many years, J'onn J'onzz shared the memories of that day. And he was surprised by the silver warmth that followed. Red eyes met glowing silver in silent conversation. 'How did you get through it?'
J'onn reached a helping hand out to the young girl. "I had others to help me."
Silver eyes faded into ocean blue as her gaze moved between his hand and his eyes. The gentle understanding in his eyes gave her hope. Tentatively, the young girl reached out to grab his.
The Martian smiled and carefully lifted her into his arms. 'Let us take care of those injuries.' She smiled up at him before cuddling closer to fall asleep.
It was the start to a little family; a family that all three of them really needed.
