The Butterfly Girl: A Star is Born

#149 Hidden in the Dark

[Sophia]

There wasn't a lot I could do to help Apollo while he was sick, it was only a cold after all. I've helped him through worse, so he should be back on his feet soon enough. I cleaned up everything downstairs, like I was supposed to. Apollo mostly stayed in his room the whole time to rest as much as possible. He only ever came downstairs for food. Or to watch me play games on the TV late at night when he couldn't sleep.
One night, he went to bed early, hoping he could sleep off a headache that had been bothering him all day and I didn't stay up long after. I didn't feel like playing any games or watching any late night TV. Even as I looked through my phone, the social apps I had, even on Youtube, I didn't happen to see anything to keep me interested enough to stay awake longer.
Eventually, I gave up and decided to sleep.
I opened my window and closed my blinds, got as comfortable as possible underneath my covers and tried to relax.
A full 2 hours went by and I was completely restless.
I rolled over every few minutes or so, I adjusted my pillows, pulled my blankets up and down. But it felt as if my body didn't want to stay still at all. My mind couldn't stay quiet. All the previous daydreams I had thought about before weren't as entertaining as they used to be. Eventually, I sat up and stretched every part of my body, thinking maybe my muscles weren't completely relaxed yet. My wings touched the walls, I pulled my arms high into the air, I twisted my torso until I fell back down onto my bed and I tried again. But even then that didn't seem to fix my problem. I sighed frustratingly.
I wasn't tired enough to sleep, but I was too tired to do anything else to stay awake. And then I heard the wind through my open window. It blew the blinds open for just a moment and I noticed a silver string of light slipping through. I sat up and moved to the edge of my bed, pulling the blinds away to see the night sky. It was partly cloudy, but in the distance I could see the bright light of the full moon from the corner of my window. I stared at it for a while, thinking how pretty everything looked. My wings moved behind my back out of instinct, and I knew immediately what a terrible idea that would be. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. It's much too dangerous.
And yet... I couldn't ignore the inviting feeling. The beauty of the night...
My thoughts began to turn against me.
Perhaps... just maybe... if I stayed up high long enough...

I quickly got out of bed, changed into something more warm and comfortable and reached within my satchel for my gem. Even if it was just for a little while, I wasn't going to take any chances. And yet, here I was, taking a chance at the same time. I opened my door slowly, making sure it made absolutely no sound, before I crept down the stairs as quietly as possible. I went out into the backyard, climbed over the fence, and trotted into the grove. I had to make sure I was far enough away from the tree house to make sure no one could hear or see me as I took off into the night sky. I rose high above the trees and headed straight into the clouds. The bright moonlight lighting up almost everything. I started out slowly, making sure I was high enough above the ground, and then I began to speed up. Flying around and through the large blue clouds. I glanced above me and I was able to see some stars. From the ground, you wouldn't be able to see them at all. But up here, as I began to traverse this temporary dream in reality, it felt like I was exploring the edge of the atmosphere.
For a moment, I could almost ignore the cold.
I flew around in circles, I twisted through the clouds. I dived up and down through the air. The defiance of gravity was an exhilarating feeling. It felt even better to know the rest of the world was asleep. No one would bother looking up. It was just me, the moon and the clouds.
After a while, I looked down to see I was just above the waterfall. A brief moment's rest wouldn't do me any harm. I just wanted to catch my breath for a second. I descended from the sky and landed gently near the edge of the cliff. I walked over and sat down on the edge, letting my legs dangle over the side. I leaned back a bit and I spotted the moon on my right side. I could see the lake in the distance reflecting the light and I stared at it for a while. My feathers blew against the breeze, as did my hair. Everything out here just felt... really nice. I wanted to stay out here for just a while longer to enjoy it, but my gut was telling me to get going soon. I really shouldn't be out here. And I promised I wouldn't be. I just wanted to rest for a second before I decided to head back. I would definitely be safer in the sky than on the ground.
The beauty of the night was too entrancing for me to ignore, but my thoughts kept interrupting me like an alarm. I should leave, I should go back home. But look at the clouds, you can see the wind moving them slowly through the air. And every time the moon comes back out, you can see the lake reflecting the glow and even a few stars. But I shouldn't be out here, it's too dangerous. It's time I head back.
Eventually, I couldn't ignore my mind any longer. I sighed and stood up, my wings flaring out from behind me, ready to depart.

And as I turned around, I gasped at the sight of a Shadovian staring right back at me. The creature also barked in surprise. I jumped away from the cliff on instinct as my wings pushed me away, trying to get back up into the air. But the Shadovian rushed towards me, opening its jaw and grabbing my leg. I screamed as it pulled me away and threw me back onto the ground. I rolled a few feet from it and tried to stand up as quickly as possible, but the creature rushed towards me again, headbutting my stomach and sending my flying further backwards. I coughed and sputtered, remembering the crystal I had in my pocket and I quickly pulled it out. It immediately transformed into my sword and I stood up quickly.
If I couldn't escape it, then my only option was to fight it. And I have to make it quick. I couldn't have anyone know that I was out here in the middle of the night. I couldn't let this thing alert anyone that I was in trouble. I'd be in deeper trouble if anyone found out I was out here. As long as I can get up the next day looking like I slept a full 6-8 hours of sleep, that's all that matters.
As the Shadovian approached again, I tried to strike first. I swung my sword as it got close, but I completely missed and the creature knocked me back down again. I swung again while I was on the ground, striking my blade into the creature's legs. It howled and kicked me away further with its back legs. My own sword almost cut my face in the process. I struggled to get up in time. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. But I kept a tight grip on my sword, remembering that this is what it wanted. And I wasn't going to let it have it.
But just before the Shadovian charged at me again, the both of us stopped, spotting two shadows on the ground. I gasped as the Twins landed heavily in front of me, their patterned limbs glowing brightly on their skin.
They glanced back at me with a stern look on their faces. My relief turned to fear.