Note: Set of time is in Fall of Five at Nine's penthouse. Here, we get to witness a side of Eight only Marina gets to meet. The boy, who just got saved, knows he is going to die again. And he will die again.
As she hears the words, Marina's smile disappear.
I've made a mistake.
She shouldn't have been informed.
"But I saved you," she tells me desperately.
"You did." I smile ruefully. "And I am forever grateful."
Marina does not look the least convinced. These prophecies had always been reliable. From our arrival on Earth to the death of the first three Garde, and John's school attacked; how could the panel about me dying not come true? No one can escape it. I know the truth. What happened in New Mexico was just a mere coincidence; it was not the right time to die.
Marina's angry. I can tell: the way she is quiet, her eyes avoiding mine, her hands tensing and a cold aura emitting from her.
She is like me in many ways. Both our Cêpans neglected us and they both died by the Mogadorian's wrath. We both can't connect to the world's trend. And we have been alone. I can almost read her like an open book.
But like our similarities, Marina and I have our differences. I am ready to experience what she will never accept.
"The prophecy showed you get stabbed, not killed," she insists.
No one understands about this Sixth sense I claim as a Legacy. My gut feel is so strong, I had to be right. "Then why do I have a feeling I am still going to die?"
"I know we are still in danger, but why are you so pessimistic, Eight? You used to be..." She shakes her head and looks at me, her eyes bloodshot. "The prophecy is broken!" She screams. "That is what you said yesterday."
I was taken aback by her sudden outburst. Shocked that I never assume she could go verbal about her anger.
She must have been conscious about my reaction and her temper retreated quickly, exchanging with sadness. I felt sorry myself, too.
"Eight, I can't lose you."
"I don't even want to leave you, Marina."
Then I think my heart broke for a pain that was not even inflicted on me. Marina cries. Starting from a sob to a breakdown.
"I may have failed to save Adelina, Héctor, and Crayton. But I am not going to stop using my legacy. I'll do everything to keep you alive." Tears flowing from her eyes, anger still sparks in her voice. "You are not going to die, Eight. I don't know what'll happen if you do."
My eyes hurt. I am the one who needs comfort. Sure, death is inevitable, but mine is predictable. My life-ending scene is a countdown from a grave medical condition. Meanwhile, others can find ways to survive or prolong their mortality, but my life has already been foreseen. It is extremely unfair!
And yes, I am scared, terrified even. Scared to death might be my cause of death.
But how Ironic that Marina is the one who is really in need of comfort. She is going to live a long life, I am sure of it. How stupid of me to share this insight. She has saved my life. She kept me alive and this is what I repay her? Make her think her healing is an insult after the unsuccessful attempts of saving the people dear to her?
Because of confusion, I wanna scream internally at the world while Marina could just slap me across the face for being insensitive and selfish.
No, I am not selfish. I am a coward. A true coward for not noticing that someone before me considers I am an important being despite the few days just being together. A true coward for not even trying to…
Still sobbing, I touch her wrist, grabbing it. She feels heavy, like all the sadness, fear and confusion had weight. I pull her close, placing my free hand to guide her head to the crook of my neck. She does not resist.
As her body touches mine, I hug her and she relaxes. The heaviness lifted and it feels transcending that she hugs me back tightly, letting herself feel me close.
Marina. Marina is the closest person in my life that I can claim worthwhile. Running my fingers through her hair, I do it as gentle as possible, like a Goddess to be respected. However, she is also as wonderful like the sun rays that no matter how hot it is, as long as the brightness is there after a scary night, you embrace it. She is also like the timeless sea. The never-ending stretch of the glittering blue sheet meets the sky, you can gaze at it all day. Is it love that made me this close to Marina? Yes. But is it the love like John and Sarah? I don't know. Can I say nothing from the wise sayings I have learned can fathom what I feel now? Yes, of course.
"My Legacy is not a curse. I am going to protect you. I promise." After all, we have been through? For being the last species of our race remaining? For being caring, how could she not? Of course, Marina will still protect us, regardless. I know her.
But I know myself, too.
"Marina," I say, almost ending our conversation. She does not look up, but I know she's listening. "Let me protect you—all of you."
Her hands wrap me tighter, she buries her head deeper into me, and her tears are like the river's unending flow. She knows what I mean.
There we go. How is the one-shot, guys? Do you like it? Reviews, please :) XO
PS updated for minor grammar edits