Ch 8: Night Flight

But when the day is done/ and the sun goes down/ and the moonlight's shining through/ then like a sinner before the gates of heaven/ I'll come crawling on back to you.

-"Bat out of Hell" Meatloaf

Once again, thank you so much, Shireheart.

Evenings after dinner and before bed are usually quiet and peaceful. Children retreat to their rooms to do some quiet activity before getting ready for bed. James was no exception.

Lying flat on his carpeted bedroom floor, James stared at his new collection of crayons with a critical eye before finally selecting the perfect shade of blue. Yes, that one would do. Ricky's older brother had been reading a book called Eragon, a story about a boy and a dragon. Ricky had been quick to pass on the information about the blue dragon and everyone in the group, James included, agreed that having a dragon like Saphira would be the best kind of pet in the world. And since dragon eggs weren't being sold, drawing a dragon was the next best thing.

"What have you there, dear?" Mrs. Ladybug stepped into James's room and knelt down beside him.

"Ricky's brother was reading a book about a dragon," James explained. "Her name's Saphira."

"She's lovely," Mrs. Ladybug told him. "Well, I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

"I am," James assured her."

"Good. I'll be downstairs if you need anything. 7:30, right?"

"Right." Mrs. Ladybug kissed the top of his head.

"Good boy." She left, closing the door behind her.

James went back to his drawing. Where should he draw Saphira? Should be in the park right outside his house or flying in the sky with Eragon on her back? James paused before deciding on the later; Ricky had said Saphira had been fond of flying.

The sound of flapping wings jerked James out of his thoughts and he looked up to see something zip by his window. Curious, the little boy stood up and approached the open window just as the form approached for the second time.

"Good evening," Rin greeted James, balancing expertly on his window sill.

"Rin!" James was both surprised and pleased to see the strange girl again. "What are you doing here?"

"It's such a nice warm night," the young half-demon replied. "I wanted to see if you'd like to come fly with me."

"Fly?" James's eyes widened. "But I can't fly." Rin laughed.

"I'd carry you on my back."

James glanced at his closed bedroom door. Shouldn't he ask his family's permission before he-

"Don't worry, I'd have you home in plenty of time. And we don't have to go all that far. Of course, I can also fly quite fast; we could circle the entire city in a few minutes if we wanted to."

"Really?" Rin nodded and James had to admit that a few minutes of flying with his friend couldn't hurt.

"Okay, I'll go. But I have to get ready for bed at 7:30."

"Then I'll have you home by 7." Rin turned around, baring her back. "Shall we?"

James reached up and slid his arms around Rin's neck, hoisting himself onto her back.

"I'm ready."

"Hold on now," Rin said softly. She jumped and James barely had time to register the ground rushing up to meet them before Rin's wings gave a powerful flap and the two went hurtling into the pink-hued sky. Within seconds, Rin had flown higher than most of the skyscrapers and James could only stare in wonder at the sight of the lit-up city spread out below him like a twinkling carpet.

"Wow," he breathed. The view was even better than the one he and his family had seen from the peach.

"Quiet the sight, isn't it?" Rin asked and James saw the corner of her mouth had turned upwards in a grin.

"It's amazing," the small boy breathed. Rin held her wings out flat, gliding on currents of air. James clutched at Rin's shoulders, loving the light free feeling of this nighttime flight. He realized that this was the closest he would ever come to truly flying and he wanted to savor every moment of it.

"Can you fly faster?" he asked the half-demon.

"You want speed? I'll give you speed!" Rin folded her wings slightly and the pair shot forward like a jet. The wind whistled in James's ears and he laughed in sheer delight.

"I love this!"

"I knew you would!" Rin sounded just as happy as her young companion. Effortlessly, she darted around buildings, too swift for anyone to catch a glimpse of her or James. "Anywhere you want to go?"

James looked around, thinking how much fun it would be to fly to any of the buildings in New York City, but his eye was caught by one of the bridges connecting the city to Long Island.

"Over there," he said, pointing to the very top of the structure.

"As you wish." Rin banked to her left and glided toward the lit-up bridge. Looking down, James watched the numerous cars trundle across the overpass and wondered if anyone saw them. Probably not, he realized. They were too high up and Rin was too fast. Having spent the past few days being singled out by entire population of New York, James felt oddly at ease knowing he was unseen by all the people below him.

"Here we are." Rin touched down on the top of the bridge and let James slide down from her back. Both of them sat down on the ledge, watching as the crimson sun dipped lower into the sky.

"This is great," James said, looking up at Rin. The half-demon gazed back at him, smiling and nodding.

"Many times have I flown through the skies, but I think this flight has been my favorite so far."

"Really?"

"Yes." James cocked his head at Rin.

"What about your brother, Rin? Are you going to fly with him?" Rin's eyes shone.

"I have. I met him today and I took him flying. He loved it just as much as you did."

"You saw your brother? Did he remember you?"

"No, but he was glad to see me anyway."

"See? I told you he would be!" Rin laughed.

"Hai. You were right, James."

Feeling happy for his new friend, James glanced back at the city. More stars were dotting the skies now and James knew he'd have to be home soon. He suddenly realized that he hadn't mentioned Rin to his family; after the game of hide-and-seek (in which James was indeed the last person found), the kids' attention had been captured by a large pile of branches near another cluster of rocks and they had spent the rest of the afternoon constructing a flimsy, but original fort.

"Rin?"

"Hmm?"

"Is your brother a half-demon too?" Rin shook her head.

"My father died when I was even younger than you are. My mother remarried a human when I was eight."

"Oh." James glanced back at the city. "I haven't really thought about my mum and dad much since they died. I want to, but…"

"It gets easier," the half-demon replied, turning her golden eyes upon the small boy. "The best thing to do now is let yourself grieve. And soon, you'll be able to remember your parents without crying."

James smiled sadly at his friend; somehow, he already felt better. Maybe it was just being in the presence of some one who understood his sadness over his lost parents, but it was more than that. Something about Rin seemed oddly familiar, but James had no idea what it was.

"Tell me, James, what do you think of Chief Michael Beatcom?" James frowned in confusion.

"Chief Beatcom?"

"Hai, him."

"Well, he's nice."

"Is he now? I've heard rumors that he didn't help you when your aunts tried to hurt you. Is that true?" Rin was staring at the sky, but James could see her watching him intently out of the corner of her eye. The small boy nodded slowly.

"He didn't really help me. But eh didn't know what my aunts were going to do."

"No, I imagine he didn't." Rin didn't sound particularly surprised at this news.

"But he's sorry about that. Every time he looks at me, he looks sad."

"Sad, or guilty, I wonder," Rin mused softly.

"What?"

"Never mind. But you feel no ill will towards the police chief?"

"Not really."

"Very well." Rin stood up and crouched down. "It's getting late. I should get you home before your family finds you missing."

James climbed back onto Rin's back and within seconds, the pair was soaring through the sky again.

"Rin, where are you going to sleep tonight?"

"Most likely in a tree deep in Central Park," came the reply. "I prefer to sleep sitting up."

"Why?"

"I feel too vulnerable when I lie down. Never know when some one could get the jump on you."

"But why would anyone try and hurt you, Rin?"

"They have their reasons," Rin replied darkly. James was confused, but before he could ask Rin to elaborate on the subject, the half-demon had flown him to his bedroom window. James slid off her back and grabbed her hand, mindful of her claws.

"Will you come back?"

"Don't worry, James, you'll me again. I promise." James smiled.

"Good. Maybe you can meet my family next time too."

"Perhaps. In the meantime, be well, James."

And once again, the half-demon vanished into the skies.

She had business to do tonight.