Him

I couldn't understand why she didn't trust me. I may have looked menacing, but it's not my fault. I wanted to find out what causes her to fear me! It was driving me crazy. It made me shudder every time her eyes grew large and round with genuine fear. I told her there is nothing to be afraid of, but she wouldn't listen. Why?

She looked at me before sliding back up a branch. "Sorry, you just frustrate me. I don't know why you are afraid of me, but I do want you to trust me. I am not a bad person."

She says nothing for a moment. "I must leave. I am needed elsewhere."

She stood, suddenly alert. "Someone comes. I must go. Do not follow me." She leaped of the tree landing lightly on her feet. Then she took off flying and disappeared over the trees. I shook my head sadly. No matter how hard I tried she wouldn't give in, she wouldn't trust me.

Three Days Later

I sat and rubbed my temples. The summer heat wasn't that bad inside the forest, but I had just come from gathering herbs and the sun had been beating down on me. When I got back to the hut I shared with Yaffa I collapsed onto my bed. My face was burning and what I needed at that moment was a cool glass of water from the well. I stood and grabbed a glass from a shelf in the main room. I stepped back outside and walked to the well. My heart almost stopped. Amir was there with a little boy. He carried two pails and the little boy carried one. I started to turn around, but he spotted me and waved me over. I walked slowly, hoping I could find a way to disappear, but I didn't. "Hi," I whispered, I was only being polite. The little boy giggled.

"Hi," Amir said back. "So, um, here," he stepped away from the well so I could raise the bucket and fill my clay cup. I filled it to the brim with cool water. Just as I put the cup to my lips and took a long and satisfying dink, the little boy raced around me and crashed into my legs. I fell forward, my chest landing on the hard rock edge of the well. "Oh god, um, are you okay?" I felt his hands on my arm, pulling me up. "Sorry about that. Devon's a lot stronger than he looks. Um, do you need anything?"

I laughed, a shaky, nervous laugh. "I am fine." I picked up the cup from the ground– luckily it hadn't broken. It was my favorite cup.

"Sorry. Again. Well, I should go."

I nodded and turned away. I heard his deep voice talking sternly to the little boy and I couldn't help but smile. I returned to the hut and sat on the porch. A few moments later I saw Amir coming down the path to the hut. He had a cup in his hand, a small pink daisy in the other and a book tucked under one arm.

"Hello," he started. "Here, Devon wanted me to bring you another cup of water since he spilled the other one." he paused to hand me the cup. I stood (feeling safer on my feet) and took it from his hand. "I also brought you a flower from my father and a book I thought you might enjoy." I took the book and opened the cover. A warm, dusty smell hit me head-on and I smiled lightly. But when I looked at the first page I looked away in embarrassment. "You can't read, can you?" I nodded my head. " Well, then I will have to read to you. You don't mind do you? I'll leave if you want me to."

"Um," I began, but his soft, patient look stopped me. I smiled shyly. Wow. He noticed.

"See, I told you." he sat on the top step and opened the book. He started reading, but I payed more attention to his voice and how smooth it was, than I did to the story. It was something about life before the downfall. I think it was then that I fell asleep.

When I woke, I was still on the porch. Amir was dozing, still on the step, the book open across his lap. I picked it up and closed the cover, placing it next to him on the wood. Then I went inside and sat at the table. After what seemed like hours, Amir opened the screen door and stepped inside. Now I was afraid again. That door was the only way out. What if he attacked me? He sighed. "Please, do not be afraid of me."

I jumped up and stepped back. "Maybe I should go," he said. His voice was hard, but I detected sadness in his voice. "I know you won't always be afraid of me, Rose or Gaia or whoever you are! I have the gift of the Sight and I know you will get over your fear, you just need to trust me!" Without another word he turned and left. Yaffa came out of the back room, a smug smile on her face.

"You like him."she stated.

"No, I don't. He's a Gypsy."

"I think you like him. By the way, how are you doing? I heard you've been having some problems lately. Anything you want to talk about?"

"No. Why does it hurt so much?"

She laughed bitterly. "I don't know why, but in a few years it will go away, stop hurting."

"A few Years!" I cried. "But–"

"Rose, there is nothing we can do about it. There is no medicine, no remedy, no potion to brew. It is just something we have to live with." she said quietly.

"Then why me? How am I any different from the others in town?"

"It runs in your blood. You can't ignore that."

I sighed.

That night I waited an hour after I trans-

formed to go the Gypsy camp which had been moved inside the forest. There were still men about, sitting on logs by fires, or smoking pipes. I saw empty bottles of wine and rum at their feet and knew that I wasn't exactly safe here. But before I could turn away one of the men called out to me.

"Where ya goin' sweetheart?" A ripple of drunk laughter found my ears. I took a step back. " Now, darlin' don be 'fraid." he called again. Another man shouted, "She's a sweet little thing. Come on over here, girl. We ain't gonna hurt ya."

I shook my head and took another step back. "Someone want her?" asked another man. His hoarse laugher floated to me easily. "I'll take her!" shouted an older man. I took another step back as one of the men stood. He walked over to me and leaned down. His breath smelled like stale rum. I winced and looked away. "Jus' one kiss, darlin'." I tried to run, but he grabbed my arm and pulled my face to his.

"Stop!" bellowed a voice from behind me. "What the 'ell do you think you are doing?" I heaved a sigh of relief. It was Amir. "Leave her alone, she's mine!"

"An what proof does ya have of that?" asked the man, still holding onto me.

"Let her go." he ordered. The man swung me around and shoved me at Amir. Just as I crashed into him, he brought his lips to mine and kissed me. I stiffened, smelling and tasting rum in his mouth, but I let him do his work. Then he pulled me away, into a more secluded area of the forest. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you– are you drunk as well?" I asked plucking up hidden courage. He shook his head.

"I had a few drinks, but no more than that. I can't afford to get drunk." he shrugged. "Not that it's fun, personally I don't like waking up with a large headache."

I laughed, but it was small and nervous, just like all my other laughs. "So, why did you want to see me?"

I looked at my feet. "Well? Come on, I won't laugh,"

"I didn't like you being mad at me, so I came to apologize." I mumbled. Despite his promise, he laughed. It was deep and loud and it scared the living daylights out of me, but I managed to stay where I was. He ruffled my hair gently. This time I did step back. Right into a large tree. I felt my wings crumple and tears came to my eyes. I bit my lip to stop from crying out, but that didn't work. I pulled away from the tree and tried to look over my shoulder, but I couldn't see them. "Oh God. Are you . . .?" he trailed off and spun me around so my back was to him and I felt his hands on my wings smoothing them out to their original shape. It hurt a lot, but I contained myself and only broke out crying once. "Is there anything you can take for the pain?"

"No, there is no medicine to help us." I murmured. "I will be fine, thank you." I bowed my head and stepped back (luckily I didn't hit the tree, again), touching my brow in thanks.

"What did you think of that kiss?" he asked. His eyes were playful and I knew he was just trying to put me on the spot, but I stepped back again. He sighed, playfulness gone. Instead his eyes became sad and he smiled grimly. "Go. I know you want to so go." But I didn't. I did the most rash thing I've ever done in my life.

"I liked it." I said quickly. He raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "I liked it." I repeated. He crossed his arms over his broad chest. I tried again. "I liked it." He stepped closer.

"Don't move." His voice was soft. He reached out with one hand and put his hand on my cheek. Surprising himself and myself, I leaned into the hand, liking the feeling of the roughness on my cheek. He pulled me to his chest and held me, his arms wrapped around me in a barrier even I couldn't break. I listened to him breath and felt his chest rise and fall. Then I couldn't stand it. I pulled away. I saw anger flash through his eyes, but it didn't stay there long. " I liked it, a lot." I repeated. Then I turned and ran.