Young Writers Society

*Part two of my series “Love in decaying hearts”. Gacha Club character designs are on my wall. Enjoy!*

Melanie held on to Azrail, never letting go. He flew high, high, higher, into the sky. Finally he descended down on Earth, where he placed Melanie on the grass next to the highway.

She could see and hear cars zoom past, faster than anything in the world.

Azrail lay next to her, his wings clouding the dew-dropped grass.

“Where are we going?” Melanie asked.

“We’ll find out.” Azrail replied.

She held her legs close to her chest, watching the cars.

……………………………………………………

Melanie opened her eyes, the rising sun glittering on tree leaves.

She turned to Azrail, aware of his vampirism, and exhaled a sigh of relief when she saw that he was covering himself with his wings.

Melanie turned around, craving some kind of food, just something to eat, and found a rest stop. There was an untouched egg and bacon burger on a picnic table.

Now, it was probably a day old and smelled of rancid rats, but…

She was starving.

……………………………………………………

It turned out that the burger was a day old, but it tasted good enough.

Melanie felt a light tap on her shoulder and stopped midchew.

“What?” She asked, chunks of burger still in her mouth. Why would anyone talk to her while she was eating?

"I made you something.” Azrail said.

He made her something? Why? When did he have the time to make something?

Melanie finished chewing on the burger and set it down on the table. She was feeling a little bit better after eating.

She turned around.

In Azrail’s hands was a delicate wooden box, painted with sweet poises.

He opened the lid and out came a little ballerina in a white tutu. She looked just like Melanie.

Azrail turned a silver windup and the ballerina spun, magical and free.

“I made it for Fiona, but I thought that I’d give it to you.”

“Are you sure you want me to have this? Is this even right?” Melanie asked. It was beautiful, but was it meant for her?

“Yes, someone else must have it.” Azrail said, handing her the box.

She accepted it.

……………………………………………………

“Where do you want to go?” Melanie asked. They were in a town called “Apple blossom lane”, which was known for its abundance of apple blossom trees, but even more so known for Lenore, a woman accused of witchcraft and being burned to the stake. Legend had it that her ghost never left.

But other than that one tale, the town was cheerful and a tourist destination.

“We’re going to Cassidy’s house.” Azrail said in a low voice.

“Cassidy’s? But why? Wasn’t she the one who cursed you?”

“She is and that’s why I need to see her.”

Melanie stopped walking.

Standing in line for ice cream was Twilight with her friend, Addie.

Why did she get to be happy? The reason for Melanie’s tears? The girl who ruined everything? Why did she get to be free?

Azrail tapped on Melanie’s shoulder.

“We have to go.” He said.

Melanie took his hand and the two walked away.

There were important things to deal with than Twilight.

……………………………………………………

They were standing in front of a withered house, covered in small buds of flowers.

“Is this Cassidy’s house?” Melanie asked. It looked so peaceful and serene.

It didn’t look like the home of a witch.

“Yes, it is.” Azrail said, opening the door.

……………………………………………………

Both stepped inside the house. The inside was like a cottage home, a place where Grandma’s chocolate chip cookies waited on a tray.

And still, it didn’t feel right.

“Are you sure Cassidy is here? It’s been centuries, why would she be alive?” Melanie asked.

“I didn’t say that she is alive.” Azrail said.

Melanie ran her hand through the leaking walls. It didn’t seem much. Why would Azrail want to come to Cassidy’s house?

She saw something flicker in the halls.