Chapter nine
Aerion smiled with his mouth open as Halcyon tackled him into the ground and laughed.
"Finally I have you!" he screamed in Aerion's ears. Aerion catapulted Halcyon over him with his feet and grinned. He sat up and rubbed his head. Then he gave a sudden silent yawn. He stretched his arms far and burped. Above them the sky was filled with stars. A crescent moon floated high in the sky far away in the sea of nebulas and galaxies. A slow spring breezed passed over the two, Making Aerion's silver hair wave in the wind. Suddenly a silent tear escaped Aerion's fiery eye. Halcyon put a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey Aerion, you still awake?" he asked suddenly.
Aerion wiped away the tear and smiled at Halcyon. A look of perplexity came over Halcyon.
"Aerion…you're crying. Why?" he asked as he took a seat beside Aerion. Aerion wasted no time trying to tell Halcyon what he was feeling. He put a hand on Halcyon's chest beside his heart. Halcyon smiled, and interpreted it.
"My Heart…" he said smiling. Aerion then took his other hand and did the same on his chest.
"Your heart…" said Halcyon.
Then he grabbed Halcyon's hand shook it.
"Together." Said Halcyon grinning. It suddenly came to him. "Friends!" exclaimed Halcyon excitedly. Aerion shook his head up and down confirming Halcyon's answer. Then he looked up at the stars and pointed.
"In the sky…" said Halcyon. There was a brief silence. "Heaven…" said Halcyon with a frown. "Your friends are in heaven…"
Aerion nodded turning to Halcyon. "You miss them don't you…I know how you feel…My parents are up there." Said halcyon with a morbid tone. There was a silence as Halcyon turned away and looked up at the sky.
"You don't have to cry Aerion…there looking down at you right now, through these stars." Said halcyon. "My mother told me once that every time there's a shooting star it's a spirit's tear crying for his or her family and friends..." Halcyon stopped short as he caught a tear that was forming in his eye. "She said that they give us wishes in order to pay us back, for them making us put up with their loss."
Aerion put a hand on Halcyon's shoulder. Halcyon refused to look back at him. Only the sound of owls hooting and crickets chirping filled the air. Before halcyon abruptly stood up and spoke.
"Let's get going…it's getting late."
As Halcyon walked down the Alleyways of the city, Aerion suddenly froze.
"What is it, Aerion?" asked Halcyon. Aerion's fiery eyes looked around frantically. He turned around and took off down the alleyway. Halcyon took off behind him shouting for him to stop, but Aerion did not. Suddenly Aerion stopped at a corner before an alleyway and stopped pointing to the shadows. Suddenly a name flew into Halcyon's head, Charity. He jolted past Aerion into the alleyway to where Charity lay leaning against the brick wall.
"Charity!" screamed Halcyon. She did not move but only whimpered in agony. Her white skin had become very yellow and several patches of purple covered her legs and arms. Her body appeared so frail; it looked like she was having trouble breathing. She appeared like a fallen angel. Halcyon placed his hand on her shoulder and she gave out a tremendous cry. Tears once again poured out of her eyes. Aerion hurried over and kneeled beside her.
"Charity what happened! What's wrong!" screamed Halcyon. When she didn't respond, Halcyon looked around frantically. He then looked at Aerion. There was a deep sorrow in his eyes mixed with worry.
"Aerion please help me." He asked gently. "Please…"
Aerion smiled faintly and nodded. Halcyon shuffled a bit before positioning himself beside Charity's shoulder.
"Just put your arm around that shoulder Aerion, we'll take her back to my place." Ordered Halcyon. Aerion did so.
"On the count of three we pick her up. Ready, One" he said tightening his muscles. "Two" Aerion blinked preparing himself. He appeared as if he were about to take flight.
"Three." Grunted Halcyon. At that instant they lifted Charity to her feet. She was amazingly light. She screamed so loud in pain and agony that Aerion nearly fell over as if he were being struck by a siren's scream. Eventually her voice gave out and faded to a low sob. Together the two friends dragged Charity back to Halcyon's house.