Fairies(part 1)

*This is for the Fairies and Elves contest (: *

Life is incredibly cruel. For those born into a world full of mystery, it is that much more painful. I never asked for adventure, I only wanted a normal life, but I guess those lucky people who do have a normal life wish for something to happen to them.

Humans always want what they can’t have. Fairies are the same way. I guess we have more in common than anyone could have ever known. Maybe one day our worlds can live in harmony. The Fairies may think this impossible, but I know the humans more than they could ever hope to. I’m partially human myself and I’ve lived amongst them for most of my life.

Maybe one day they’ll listen. Maybe then the humans can live on Earth and their races continue on. Maybe. I know this is a little far-fetched for the Fairies and all the other creatures of my world, but it’s my only hope for happiness. Even though I know this is highly unlikely, I hope and I fight for the humans. After all, what do we really have if all hope is lost?

----

There must be something wrong with me, I thought, walking home. I had spent most of my junior year trying to impress Kyle, and when he finally asked me out, I said no. I shook my head. I knew why I had to do it. Kyle deserved a normal girlfriend. Not some half-crazed girl who just happened to look good.

I ran my hand through my long, brown-blonde hair. A boy whizzed by me on a skateboard.

“Sorry, Melissa,” he yelled. I rolled my eyes. Shane was always on his skateboard and knocking something down. He jumped and the board flipped under him. I always wanted to do something like that.

Someone coughed behind me. I turned around and Kyle was smiling at me.

“Hey Kyle,” I said, trying to keep the excitement from my voice. I didn’t want him to know that I liked him. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing. I just thought I’d walk you home,” he said. I nodded and continued down the sidewalk.

“Do you want to…I don’t know, go out to dinner with me?” Kyle asked, tugging on his sleeve. I smiled. He was nervous.

“I can’t actually, I promised to hang out with Justice,” I replied, shrugging. “Sorry.”

Kyle sighed and then finally smiled. “Well, I think that’s a good idea. He loves you a lot and you’ve been so busy lately. He really looks up to you.”

I stopped. Kyle looked back at me confused.

“How do you know that?” I asked. Of course I knew it. I didn’t even need to be a mind reader to know how much he loved me, but how did Kyle know that. Unless…

“I help the little kids play basketball,” Kyle said, cocking an eyebrow. “Though now I’m interested in why you suddenly got defensive.” I sighed. At least now I knew he wasn’t an enemy.

“I think you’re imagining things,” I responded. “Maybe you should get some sleep.”

“This coming from the girl who looks as if she was going to pass out at any moment,” Kyle laughed. He wouldn’t laugh if he knew why I was so tired. It was the same reason I couldn’t go out with him tonight. Andrew had scheduled another meeting.

As we approached my house, Kyle grabbed my wrist. I turned and the expression on his face was so serious and so tender, I almost melted.

“I really like you Missy,” he said, using my nick-name. Normally I hated it, but I always let Kyle get away with it. “Please think about going out with me sometime.” He didn’t wait for a response. He put his lips to my forehead and walked away.

My fingers brushed the place his lips had just been. I couldn’t help but smile as I walked towards my house.

“Justice!” I called, shutting the door behind me. No answer. I walked into the living room, where the TV was blaring.

“Hey Justice,” I said, facing the little blonde haired, blue eyed boy. His watery eyes held mine, an intense sadness emanating off of him.

“Hey Missy,” he responded. He was upset, that was obvious.

“How was your doctor’s appointment?” I asked, trying to be casual. There was something going on and I was going to figure it out. I could always read his mind, but I loved Justice too much to do that to him. Besides, I wanted him to tell me himself.

“You’re a horrible actress,” he laughed. As much as he tried, his laughter didn’t sound like it normally did. It sounded like a singer struggling to hit that really high note, but falling flat.

“What’s wrong?” I demanded.

“You don’t need to worry about it,” he said, turning away.

“Tell me.” It wasn’t a suggestion, it was an order, and he knew it. Justice sighed and gazed at me with a look filled with so much adoration and love that I wanted to run over to him and hold hi in my arms. I didn’t. Andrew wouldn’t be happy with me.

“I have cancer,” Justice said, quietly. My heart stopped. My breath caught in my throat and I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. The forced brave face Justice was showing swam before my eyes. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“What kind?” I asked. He didn’t speak.

“What kind!” I shrieked. My voice sounded shrill and hysterical.

“Bone cancer. The doctors said I have a 25% chance at living, thought. That’s what he told mommy. That’s good, right?” Justice asked.

“Oh my – “ I didn’t finish. I ran to him, fell on my knees, and cried on his shoulder. Screw Andrew. His little hands wrapped around my neck and latched into my hair.

“Don’t cry, Missy. Please, don’t cry,” Justice begged. “I’m brave, just like you.” I bit back my tears and held his tear streaked face in my hands.

“I’ll get you through this. You will live,” I said. He laughed, his usual friendliness starting to return.

“If anything can stop it, it’s you,” Justice replied. I smiled. I loved him so much.

“Don’t you worry. We will stop it,” I said fiercely.

“Hey Missy?” He asked. “Will you stay with me tonight?” I nodded, forcing back the tears.

“Of course,” I said, embracing him again. “I’ll be back in a moment; I just need to run a few errands first.” I smiled my fake little smile and tore out of my house like a bat out of Hell.

---

“Andrew!” I yelled as my wings started to form. I don’t know what it was about his house that let me take my normal shape, but I was used to it now. He had probably tricked some witch into making the powerful enchantment that allowed the change. I had learned that Andrew could be very persuasive. After all, that’s why I was alive today.

“In the den, Melissa,” he called softly. I found he never lost control. That was odd. Even for a fairy.

In the spacious living room Andrew stood next to the oak coffee table. He was tall and slender, with angular features and white-blonde hair. His transparent wings glittered in the light, multitudes of color flashing everywhere. He looked to be about thirty five, but I knew he was much, much older. That was one of the perks of being a fairy. Flight, everlasting life, and being part of the ruling species back on our native land of Mylousis. Or should I say his native land. I was part human so I belonged to neither. I was an outcast.

“Melissa, stop that,” Andrew replied. My thoughts stopped dead in their tracks. That was another perk. Fairies had complete control over the minds of others. It didn’t work all the time, especially not with Healers, but it still worked all the same. If Andrew was that strong, my mother would still be alive. My heart plunged. I missed her.

“What have you come so early for?” He asked, calmly. I could hear a tiny tremor underneath his façade. I knew it was because of my thought about my mother. “I told you the meeting was at midnight.”

“I know,” I replied. “It’s just that Justice has gotten sick. He’s going to need a Healer. That or some very powerful herbs from the Elves.”

“The boy. The one who is your cousin? The human?” He asked, thoughtfully. I nodded.

“I can’t help you,” he responded. I spluttered.

“What!”

“You know the Healers hate to heal others and they definitely won’t help a human. Besides, Elves and Healers both are afraid of the Shades.”

“Andrew, what are you talking about? I don’t remember talking about this in our lesson. What are Shades? What does this have to do with Justice?” Andrew sighed and patted the seat on the couch next to him.

“I haven’t told you about the Shades yet. I didn’t want you to know. I mean what kind of a father would I be if I had told you? I guess I have no choice,” he replied, sadly.

“Go on,” I urged ignoring the father comment. He was no father of mine. He left my mother to die, but saved me just because I was half fairy.

“I didn’t leave your mother. When you both were in the car accident, I had a Healer come to Earth. That was extremely dangerous, but I risked it and she healed you. It didn’t matter if I had all the power in the world. She wouldn’t have healed your mother. To the Healer, she was only a human.”

“So instead she healed a freak,” I said, looking away from him.

“Don’t you ever say that,” Andrew whispered calmly. “Now, it’s time I talk to you about the Shades.” I nodded.

“A long time ago, witches used to control my – our world,” he smiled. “These witches grew power-hungry and evil inhabited their souls. They were no longer good and pure, like the witches you’ve met. That’s why there isn’t a sun in Mylousis. Shades get their power from the night and darkness. Even now the fairies can’t repair our once beautiful sun. It’s gone.”

“That’s terrible,” I gasped.

“Well, that’s not it,” Andrew responded. “Mylousis was separated in the battle. Fairies and witches fought together to keep the humans safe. The Shades and Healers were on the other side. They wanted to come to Earth and conquer them. That’s when the Fairies stopped the transportation. We persuaded a bunch of witches to curse the portal between worlds. Only Fairies can get through. Well and Elves, Healers, and Witches, but only with an escort of a Fairy. The Shades were banished to the deepest parts of the forest, but they still strike fear into the hearts of the creatures. “

“Is that why, when we travel to Mylousis, you always have to use that silly black book?” I asked. Andrew nodded.