Destined

{L A I L A}

[Aria's P.O.V.]

The next day the women were found in a secluded area in the forest. Luckily, none of them seemed to be pregnant. A doctor made pregnancy examinations on all of them. They looked very exhausted. Their hair was all over the place, their clothes were dirty and smelled a little unpleasantly.

Aria went up to one of them that was in the corner and held their hand. They immediately snapped their hand away from her and looked up. Aria could see fear and exhaustion in her eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry, my Queen. I didn't know it was you.", she said.

"Hey, don't worry.", I said and looked at her a little closer. "What's your name?"

"It's Laila, my Queen.", Laila said. She looked down onto the floor and hid herself in the shadows.

"Laila, now I know your name. But you don't know mine. I am Aria Halley.", I said and put her hand on Laila's knee. She flinched and apologized quickly.

"Are you hurt, Laila?", I asked her concerned.

"No, I am just not used to people's touch. Please, don't see this as rudeness, my Queen. I am very sorry.", Laila said and apologized again.

"Like, I said you don't have to worry. I can understand that. I didn't like it if people touched me either. I felt horrible when they did. And please, don't call me Queen. Say my actual name. Aria.", I said and smiled at her.

"Really? I don't have to say your title anymore? Isn't that rude?", Laila said and looked frightened.

"No, not if I want you to stop calling me by that title. I am going to rebuild Lehni and we will live up there again. I will bring my best friend Sam with me and she will help you regain trust and strength. She is a very funny person.", I said and laughed a little.

Laila laughed a little, too. "Really? I am allowed to? And you want to help me, my-", Laila said but corrected herself quickly, "Aria? Why would you do that? I am just a worker. You don't even know me.", Laila said and in that moment Aria saw how young she actually is. She looked like 13 or 14.

"Tell you what? I am going to visit you every week and get to know you. And then, if you want me to, you can be in my Royal working group.", I said and smiled even more brightly now, "I am going to take care of you.", I added.

"I still don't understand. Why?", Laila asked.

"Because you remind me of myself. I was scared and lonely back in the day. I needed someone that could help me get back up but I never had someone that I could trust. Up until I had Sam. I trust her with every fiber of my heart and soul. She is the one that showed me the beauty of life.", I said and remembered all the good times with Sam.

"You want to be my Sam.", Laila said in shock.

"I intend to. And I would love to.", I said and smiled. Laila slowly put her hand on my hand and smiled.

I stood up and cleared her throat. Everyone went silent and started listening.

"Listen, guys. I am going to make a shelter for you until we rebuilt Lehni. We will care for you as much as we can. I hope with everyone's help we can rebuilt our Sky Island and live up in the clouds again. Don't worry. We are going to be a big family.", I said and looked around the room.

Everyone clapped and cheered for her help. I smiled brightly and clapped with them.

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On the way home I thought about how I could tell Sam that I am an Angel. But then I remembered to just tell her straight forward. She is gonna find out anyways. And I needed her in Lehni.