Legacy

fifteen

Her eyes flew open at the sound of a jarring clunk, a cracking sound like a bone being broken. In the moment it took her eyes to adjust she quickly realised the man was no longer standing above her and instead was replaced by Mela, whose hands were clutching a massive rock, stained with blood. She was hyperventilating, clutching the rock with white fingers, staring at her with wide, panicked eyes.

"What do you think you're doing? Walking blindfolded to the slaughter like a prized pig after the fair!" She hissed between laboured breaths, refusing to let go of the rock.

Alessa cowered at the position, eyes focused on the rock that might find purchase with her own head. Despite her fears, she couldn't help but raise her eyebrow at the other girl's analogy.

"I grew up on a farm!" She snapped defensively, "The point still stands!"

"Well, I'm dreaming. Figured I'd have woken up by now. A bit odd."

"You're not dreaming."

"Of course I am." Alessa laughed, sitting up and crossing her legs, "Or else all of this would have been incredibly idiotic and life-threatening."

Mela simply looked at her blankly.

"Oh no, no no." Alessa clapped a hand over her mouth, fingers trembling, "So this cut is real!" She touched the stinging wound gingerly, "And that also means - oh no!"

She spun around, moving onto her knees and crawling towards Polo, who lay in an awkward angle, twitching sadly. Her heart ached as she reached out towards him, careful not to put too much pressure on his feeble body. He may have been an utter fool, but he didn't deserve such pain, pain she was meant to keep him from.

"You poor baby." She murmured, stroking his feathers carefully, "You probably tried to stop him and got caught in the process, didn't you?"

"They're incredibly loyal birds." Mela noted from behind her, "And it appears you two have managed to bond."

"He's a fool. But my companion. We're both fools together." She moved carefully, scooping him up and holding him against her chest, making sure to avoid the cut that was still stinging.

"You're going to make me wretch. Fools indeed."

"He's my friend. Don't act like you've never had a friend." Alessa teased, glancing up to see Mela standing a few feet away, shifting her weight between feet.

Mela grew silent, and realisation fell over Alessa as she continued to watch her.

"Oh my Gods, you've never had a friend!"

"Yes I have! Shut up!" Her face was flushed bright red in a way that brought a smile to Alessa's face, rock still clutched in her hands.

"How have you never had a friend?"

"I grew up on a farm. I've been stuck here since I was fourteen. You do the math." Mela admitted quietly, refusing any eye contact.

"No wonder you're so irritable and abrasive!"

"Excuse me-"

Alessa perked up, "That's it! I can be your friend!"

"I would want anything more. Literally anything. I would rather marry Rock Face over here."

"That's hardly the spirit."

"You're hardly a friend."

"I'll change your mind."

"I'll change your face!"

"Oh, going into smack talk now, are we?"

"Are you two done flirting? You're somehow giving me more of a headache." Rock Face himself grumbled, seemingly regaining consciousness, slapping a hand to the top of his head.