by Sariah Skye
"The hell you are," I uttered aloud. I inhaled deeply and concentrated on the energy. I thought of it dispersing, spinning up and away, the clouds parting and leaving behind the sunshine.
My entire body was shaking now. I inhaled deeply, as if taking all the negative storm’s energy inside me. It was so strong and so frightening I wanted to cry. But instead I exhaled deeply, blowing into the wind like the Big Bad Wolf blowing down the brick house. Only I would be successful. I would knock this tornado down.
I did this for as long as I could until I nearly collapsed from exhaustion; the expelled magic draining all my energy reserves.
The thunder went quiet. The wind stopped. There was no more shaking, no more rattling. I opened my eyes. It was not sunny but it was no longer green with the hue of danger. The last remnants of the funnel struggled to hold together, to put itself back together. I exhaled again, releasing my sparkly mist into the air. The twisting wind sucked up my energy, twisting it around and finally it burst, causing the sparkly mist to rain down on the ground like snow.
It was gone.
Feeling weak and listless, I slid down the counter, still smiling to myself. Either it was a miracle or, I did it.
"Whoa, there," the man from behind the counter said, just in time to grab my shoulders and slowly assist me to the ground. "Be careful. You’re losing a lot of blood now; I don’t know what you were thinking staying out here like that."
"Look!" The female trucker with the dog pointed out the glass-blown window. The black sky was parting, the sun’s rays struggling to stab through them and warm the storm-weary land below. A sliver of a rainbow descended from the clouds over the field where the tornado stopped short of blowing this building to bits.
The other truckers stood in awe at the sight. We all heard how strong it had been, we saw the straight strip of land it had cut through the field just hundreds of yards before us. Besides the broken glass and the wall hangings now laying on the ground, the truckstop had been totally spared.
"It just…stopped," said another trucker, taking off his blue fishing hat and scratching his bald scalp and shaking his head. "Crazy!"
"It’s like, magic," I said woozily.
The man behind the counter barked at someone to grab something behind the desk—I didn’t understand what. Another trucker, a young heavy set man but handsome in the face darted off behind the counter and produced a large box and handed it to the man.
He rummaged through it but I could barely tell what he was doing, my skin tingled from energy loss, my eyes were feeling heavy.
"Whoa now, stay with me now. My name is Ben Needles, what is yours?" He produced a clean towel from inside the box and started dabbing at my cheek. I winced, and hissed through my teeth at the pain.
"I know I know. Just be thankful a few inches higher and that glass would have gotten you in your eye," he said.
"Glass?" I reached up to touch the area he was dabbing at but he pushed my hand aside. "No, don’t. Don’t want to push that glass in any further. We should get you to the hospital, have them remove that. And get you stitched up. I know head wounds bleed fast but you should get that checked out."
I shook my head. Through the daze of energy loss, I could remember that as a dragon showing up at a hospital would be a bad idea. On the surface I looked human but my blood would come across as somewhat of a freakshow cocktail; complete with two full DNA sequences and genetic forms that scientists hadn’t even begun to think up. What I wouldn’t do for grandfather’s healing silver magic right about now…but I knew even in my human form I would heal quickly. It would be very uncomfortable though if I began healing around the shard of glass lodged into my cheek.
"Honey, this needs to get checked out, it looks pretty deep."
I shook my head again. "No, no. It’s okay, it doesn’t hurt. Just take it out. I’ll be okay."
He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?"
I nodded. "Yes. Please it’ll feel much better once it’s out. I hate hospitals, and I don’t have insurance. Please just take it out…if it keeps bleeding after you bandage it up, I’ll go, I promise. But just get the glass out."
"Okay," he said reluctantly. He rummaged through the box and produced a large pair of tweezers. "I’m sorry, this will probably hurt a bit."
I shrugged and just shut my eyes. I could feel the blood now, the charge of energy that was making me feel woozy was starting to fade and the injury was starting to throb. I knew that wasn’t the only one either but I could feel the skin starting to close up around the glass, it would hurt worse if it didn’t come out and I had to get a piece of glass ripped out from a healed area. Not to mention if Ben Needles saw me heal quickly he’d probably get freaked out. Once bandaged I could pretend that I was feeling off because of the blood loss and not because of the energy I expelled in attempting to disperse the storm.
I felt a tug on my cheek and a sharp, shooting pain shoot down my face; up my forehead. I tried to control a scream and gritted my teeth, biting down on my bottom lip as Ben Needles slowly and carefully pulled the shard of glass out that was lodged in my flesh.
I did yelp as I felt the last tug and my skin was free of the foreign object, followed by a hot sensation surrounding it. I knew I was going to heal fast, even though it was still bleeding pretty hard. I felt the blood gush out, and down my neck pooling on my chest permanently staining my favorite hoodie. I tried not to swear out loud at the thought of the stain removing I was going to have to do over the next couple days to salvage it. I smelled an acrid-scent as Ben leaned over me and swabbed at the area with an alcohol pad to clean it. I winced, more at the smell than the sting of the antiseptic, and Ben assumed I was hurting and, attempted to comfort me with a soothing voice.
"You never did tell me your name. Are you feeling okay?" Ben asked with a concerned look on his earnest face, as he taped some butterfly bandages over the wound area. He worked fast and for that I was thankful.
"Leo," I replied, trying to force a groggy smile.
"Leo. Well it’s nice to meet you, Leo," he said, with a polite nod. "What on Earth were you doing out here?"
"I ah—" just trying to save the world from the evil magic tornado, no big deal. "I thought I heard someone outside screaming. By the time I noticed I was hearing things it was already right on top of us. The glass shattered then and I guess I went into a bit of shock." I hoped that sounded believable.
He nodded. "Yeah, crazy weather been messing with all of us lately. Noble thing to do, trying to rescue someone in need. You’re lucky though this was all that hit you," he said.
I felt a burning sensation as the blood started to cauterize, I was healing faster now that it was sealed up. "Um, do you have a big band aid in there? I kind of can’t stand the sight of blood," I said with a chuckle.
He smiled. "Sure thing, Leo," he said, producing a medium sized gauze pad and some paper tape. "This do?"
I nodded, and he taped the gauze carefully over the wound.
"Thanks," I said, trying slowly to compose myself. I slowly started to stand, felt my legs turn to gelatin and quickly fell to my feet again. Ben caught me before I landed, softening the blow.
"Whoa slow down there. You need to get some sugar in you. Blood loss will make you woozy. Want some pop? Another doughnut? On the house," he said.
I nodded.
"What’s your favorite?"
"Mountain Dew."
"All right. Hey, one of you—can you get Leo here a big cup of pop? Some Dew? And grab a doughnut from the case there? All of you can help yourselves too."
The younger gentleman scurried to the pop machine next to the pastry case—surprisingly untouched—moved a large framed poster to the side that had fallen off in front of the counter and returned with a glazed raised doughnut and a large pop with a straw. The other truckers chatting up a storm, joined him in grabbing their own snacks.
I gave him a thankful smile as I took the pop from him and took a large sip. I sighed as the cool liquid quelled my nerves.
"Better?" he asked.
I nodded. "Thank you. And thank you," I said nodding towards Ben.
He waved me off. "Ah no worries. That’s what we do here, this is Minnesota."
I grinned. Yes, yes it was.
It was a couple of hours before Ben would allow me to drive home. He still insisted I go to the hospital but if I wouldn’t, he insisted on pumping me full of sugar and hot dogs and pastries until I felt right as rain and could walk solidly without stumbling. In the meantime, I texted both Kit and Gabriel to let them know I was back in town and I would see them soon. Kit was going to meet me at my apartment with Sona, saying she was missing me like crazy and ready to go home. Gabriel didn’t get back to me, even after I told him about the storm.
The weather had completely cleared, not a cloud in the sky as I drove home that early evening. The land alongside the highway was beaten and battered—limbs from trees torn and tossed to the ground, fields of crops bent all in one direction….it had been a nasty couple of days’ weather wise, and I felt kind of guilty that I hadn’t been here to even notice.
It was nearly 8pm as I pulled into my parking spot. The complex looked to of escaped excessive damage, the only thing out of place was a couple of siding panels had been ripped off the walls and some planters of mine and my neighbor’s plants had been turned over.
I scooped up my hibiscus plant from its side and grabbed handfuls of dirt that had fallen out and tucked it back around the plant, setting it by the door where it had been.
I twisted the knob and opened the door and was met with a loud "MEOW!" as my cat jumped into my arms, nuzzling my face.
From the couch Kit laughed. "I told you she missed you," she said with a laugh.
"I see," I said with a laugh, scratching her head and setting her down at her food dish in the kitchen which Kit must have already filled. Sona let out a little mew and started eating heartily.
"There’s something for you on the counter," Kit said with a wink, motioning her head towards the center island that served as a bar table as well.
"Oh?" On the counter sat a single pink rose and a folded in half sheet of yellow tablet paper with my name printed on the front. How did that get in here?
I tried to hide my smile as I lifted the rose to my nose and inhaled its fragrance. I opened the paper and read the contents.
Leorah,
I’m sorry I freaked out a bit. It’s not an excuse, I just kind of crumbled under the pressure. But that’s not your fault, it’s mine and mine alone. Please forgive me and I hope you’ll give me the time to adjust to our new relationship whatever it turns out to be.
You are an amazing ‘person’, both your sides…regardless of what happens, don’t forget that. I spoke to my brother today. He saw you—described you perfectly—and said you did some great things. He couldn’t tell me specifics but he is looking forward to meeting you someday. He made me promise to at the least be your friend and ‘protector’ though I know you don’t need protecting but you certainly could use a friend. I’m ready to do my ‘duty’, and I’m ready to start as friends.
As for the kiss, I’m sorry if that offended you. The magic, the situation…. everything fogged my brain and I was caught in the moment. It was very nice if you don’t mind me saying so but I will understand if you don’t know what you feel yet. I don’t know what I feel yet. Regardless I will always be here for you, as a Knight and as a friend. Whatever else happens is entirely up to you.
I hope you come back soon and you get things sorted out.
With love,
Gabriel
"What’s that?" Kit questioned in a sing-song voice, wiggling her eyebrows hintingly. "Is that from that cute nerdy guy who keeps coming into the shop?"
Despite myself I felt my cheeks flushing. "Maybe."
She grinned. "I knew that when you took off you were freaking out. I know how hard it is for you to get close to people, Leo. I hope you dealt with your…stuff at home."
I waved her off. "Oh, just some family drama. My brother is getting married, it’s kind of sudden and just very…weird."
"How so?"
I shrugged. "She was…odd. Not really his type. And where we come from tradition is big and they’re kind of…not traditional."
Kit laughed. "Not traditional? Where are you from? 1930?"
I forced a laugh. Little did she know how right on she was. Well, more like 1830 actually but…. hey. What’s 100 or so years?
"Nah it’s just our family. They’re just kind of stuck in their ways," I explained.
"Well, that’s what the young people do, shake stuff up a bit. I hope everything is okay though?"
I nodded. "Yeah. Most of the time I just sat around with my grandfather signing him up for Facebook and teaching him to play World of Warcraft."
Kit’s mouth fell open. "You’re kidding me?"
I shook my head. "Nope, I’m not. It’s hilarious. He’s terrible but…he was having fun when I left."
Kit exploded in uproarious laughter. "Oh my Goddess that’s hysterical! How old is he again?"
"Umm…old. Really old. Like…eighty-eight or so," I said trying to quickly equivocate the dragon years to human ones.
She laughed even harder. "Oh gosh that’s good!"
I nodded, glancing at the digital clock behind me on the oven. Almost 6pm. As much as I wanted to visit with Kit I was tired and kind of wanted to go to sleep. Okay…play an hour or so of World of Warcraft with my grandfather and then go to sleep. Or watch some TVLand. "So, crazy weather?"
"Goodness yes!" She proceeded to tell me about the handful of tornadoes that struck the area, the days of rain, her flooded basement and the off and on hail that kept pouring down and damaged her car.
I shook my head. "Wow, that’s crazy!"
"Yeah it was even on the national news. Even the big internet headlines!"
"Really?" I grabbed my phone and pushed the internet browser icon and went straight to Yahoo. Sure enough one of the first headlines was Severe Weather and Tornadoes Slam Minnesota For Days. "Huh. How did I miss that?"
"You were busy," Kit said with a shrug. "It’s fine, I don’t even think anyone was killed. Lots of injuries but…thank the Goddess the weather service in this state is so good."
"Yeah…" I went on to read the article. Everything from EF4 tornadoes, straight line winds, baseball sized hail…. all around our neck of the woods.
"Severe weather plagues the small Minnesota town of Pineville for nearly 4 days, starting shortly after noon on Monday," I read aloud from the article.
"Wow…that was shortly after I left, huh?" I mused.
Kit nodded, with a sigh. "Yeah, it was crazy. The local storm chasers said they had never seen anything like it—just out of the blue, like it was conjured!"
I looked at her expectantly. "Conjured? Could that be your doing?" I said sarcastically. "Doing any spells to the Goddess of Weather lately?"
Kit chuckled. "Ha, I wish I had that kind of power. No I even missed Circle this week because of all the storms. The only thing I cast was a ‘Stop the Weather’ spell!" she said with a scoffed laugh. "Didn't work, of course."
I raised a brow slightly. "Of course not."
Kit ran her fingers through her long, tangled hair. I just now noticed how tired she looked. Dark circles under her brown eyes, her cheeks shallow, skin pale and her bright teal lock of hair had faded dramatically; could hardly tell it was there. She looked bedraggled and sullen; a far cry from her generally cheery demeanor. She crossed her legs under her long knit yellow skirt and leaned back into the couch with a sigh.
"Geez, Kit. You look tired. You wanna go grab a shower? Crash on the couch? Least I can do for having you take care of Sona for me, especially in all that chaos," I said.
Kit looked at me and smiled. "Oh, no…. I gotta get up early in the morning and meet with the insurance adjuster to have them look at the shop. You know how I am sleeping in places other than my own bed."
I nodded. "Are you
thirsty?"
Kit thought a moment. "Do you have any pop? Anything? I could really use the sugar rush until I get home. That whole five-minute drive you know…"
"Do I have pop…" It was rhetorical. I went to the fridge and produced a can of orange pop from the fridge from amongst the five different kinds I usually carried in there. Thankfully even though I was built a bit thicker than most dragons in their human form—about a size 10/12 or so—dragons had a hard time gaining weight. Good metabolism. It was a good thing because damn I just loved human junk food.
"This okay? I have more if you don’t like this," I said, crossing the room and handing it to her.
She grabbed it from me, popped the top and took a long swig. "Nope, this is fine." She let out a small burp and giggled. "Oops."
"You sure you’re feeling okay?" I asked. Kit rarely drank pop or ate anything junky or sugary…mostly vegetables from her garden or produce from the Farmers Market.
"Oh sure," she said. "I actually had a craving for a steak today— "
I let out a gasp. Kit was a strict vegetarian; I’d never seen her even touch a piece of meat before. "Did you have one?"
She shook her head. "No! No way but I wanted to for some reason. Then I saw that pop in the fridge as I was looking for Sona’s leftover food from the other day to give her—I wasn’t sure how long you’d be getting home—and it just sounded good for some reason. I figured at least that craving would be okay." She let out a small laugh, and took another long drink from the can, letting out a much louder and longer burp this time. She laughed. "I see why people like this so much—been so long since I had some."
"What’s with the sudden cravings?" I put on a mock face of horror. "Oh no! Are you pregnant?"
Kit howled. "No, definitely not. I can’t even tell you the last time I…" she made a suggestive gesture and I chuckled. "Well…. you know. Must be that damn peri- menopause or whatever."
I shrugged. "Stress?"
"Probably," she said. She stood slowly, almost labored. She gave me a smile. "With the damage to the shop we probably won’t be opening tomorrow, but would you mind coming in later in the day for some cleanup work? I already called Madison and Emily and told them I didn’t need them until at least this weekend but…I could use an extra pair of hands."
