The air seemed to twist around her cradling her in its arms. For the first time in her life, Artemis had completely defied all laws of physicality. Nothing could touch her, and in a few moments, nothing ever could again.
Oh, it wasn't as if she didn't know what was coming next.
It was that she had accepted it. Beneath her, people screamed and ran in panic. Now they chose to notice. Now they called for help and now she would be plastered across news shows. Too late for that now.
A sharp pain flared across her forehead as Artemis smacked into the rail of the fire escape. No more pain, that was all she wanted, and soon she would have it. She closed her eyes and waited for oblivion, for the world to fade away.
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The first thing that Artemis was aware of was warmth surrounding her. Was this heaven? After Mom was taken, her religious habits had somewhat lessoned. But when her Dad had taken over her 'education', she hardly remembered one night spent without praying for Jade to come home, Mom to get out of prison, anything to change her lot in life.
But no, never had God answered. So now what? Was he just going to pay attention to her now that she had actually taken some initiative like the rest of the world? Hey kid, looks like you've already been through hell, take this as a consolation prize.
Just when Artemis was about to find out just how hard it would be to remove the pearly gates (if only to smack God over the head with), she felt a dull ache from between her eyes. Wasn't there something about there being no tears or pain in heaven?
Slowly, she managed to crack open her lids. Tall buildings washed in dingy greys and tainted brick towered over her. Unless paradise had slums, this wasn't it.
Her eyes searched the sky for meaning. All Artemis had ever wanted was to fly, to do something no one expected, to catch fate off its guard. She had been ready to go, ready to soar into the clouds of eternity. But after leving reality behind and rejecting boundaries, was still anchored to this world of pain.
Artemis felt tears collecting in the corners of her eyes, salty and bitter with sorrow. She let them fall silently. Nothing good was left in this world, and it had taken away her final escape. Hot tears came faster as the years of pain swirled within her like a storm. Anger at her father, sorrow for her sister, and longing for her mother, everything bubbled out of her in a strangled sob.
She felt arms wrap around her shoulders. On instinct, she dove into the hug, burying her face in a shoulder. Artemis hadn't been held for so long; she clung with ferocity to the warm body and just cried. Soothing hands rubbed her trembling back. Her world shrank into that tiny place, thar fragile moment. Within that embrace, she felt safe. A heart was beating within the chest pressed against hers. Between her ragged, broken sobs, she heard even breaths harmonizing. When was the last time she had been held? That someone had shown any type of affection to her?
Artemis didn't know, nor did she care. It felt good, like the slight swelling of her eyes still pressed against a shoulder. The hands on her back felt as if they were easing the muscles of a traveler who had carried a great burden.
She raised her face, tears blurring her vision. The world was beginning to fade again, growing fuzzy at the edges. Through the haze, she could see a mouth, forming faint words that barely reached her, as oblivion loomed over her mind.
Hold on.