Rin

 

 

 

I watched him fall from the sky. There was a battle in the air as he clashed with one of the other dragons. They both fell, fighting the whole way down. They smashed through the treetops and there was a cloud of dust. I could see it all as we came up onto a rise. But after that there was nothing. The girls were yelling, urging me to follow them as they ran through the jungle toward safety, and I went. Reluctantly. But I couldn’t pull my eyes away. My cheeks are streaked with tears and my heart aches more than I’ve ever known. Becky holds my hand as she pulls me along behind her, but still I look back over my shoulder and pray to see his dark form rise up into the sky.

But my prayers have gone unanswered.

We make our way up the foothills at the base of the mountains, the girls doing their best to put as much distance between us and the temple as possible.

Meanwhile my mind races. Perhaps he survived the fall? But where is he then? Why wouldn’t I see him fly up again? Why can’t I hear his voice calling out to me? Perhaps we’re too far apart, and he’s okay. But the positive thoughts are drowned out by the negative, and I fear for the worst.

“Come Rin, we have to keep moving,” Becky says. Of course she doesn’t know what Targon means to me. I jerk my hand free from hers and stand, watching the horizon in the direction we’ve come from. The girls stop, staring at me with confused expressions on their faces. After a brief exchange of heated words we all decide we’re safe for now and need a break.

Becky stands beside me, and a moment later Jess and Alex are at my side as well. I start crying, no longer able to hold back the tears. A good chunk of the day has passed, the sun hangs low on the horizon, and with each passing moment my heart breaks a little more.

“He really meant a lot to you, didn’t he?” says Jess. She puts her hand on my shoulder.

“He saved my life,” I say through the tears. My throat catches and it’s difficult to speak, but I steady myself. “He saved all of our lives, and now he’s gone. I don’t know what to do.”

Susan joins us now, and the girls all huddle around.

“You saved us Rin,” Alex says, wiping a tear from my eye. “If it hadn’t been for you, I don’t know what would’ve happened to us.”

“That guy in the temple was about to beat me,” says Susan. “He might’ve even killed me.” Gone is the sarcasm and wise cracking I’ve come to know from her. That side of her is replaced by a solemn, serious tone. “I never thought I’d say this, but I owe you big time. We all do.”

Becky clears her throat, doing her best not to cry herself. “I’m sure your dragon friend was a good guy. He’s definitely a hero in my book.”

“Mine too,” says Jess.

“Totally agree,” chimes Alex.

I shake my head. “He was more than just a friend,” I tell them. I think about the time I spent with Targon at the waterfalls, and him carrying me off to his lair that night and making love to me. I think about the night as we flew over the Abyss, how it felt to be with him, flying through the night sky like in a dream. Free as a bird and feeling so safe knowing he was watching out for me. Soon, when the sun dips below the horizon and the moons are out, our constellations will be burning bright overhead, constant reminders of what I once had. And to know that it’s all gone now… that he is gone from my life. I’ve only known him for such a short time, but in that time he’s stolen away my heart. Now that piece of me lies out there somewhere in the jungle—lost to me forever. It’s almost too much to bear.

The girls pull in tight and get a group hug going. There’s emotion all around. Everyone is so thankful to be back together, and free from the clutches of those bastard Vikons who have caused so much pain and suffering for us all. I tell them about Tina, how she’s safe and waiting for us up in the mountains, and sighs of relief are heard all around. The girls try their best to cheer me up, sharing stories and laughter, talking about home and their hopes for the future. It’s still too soon to make sense of everything that’s happened to us. It’s all so fresh, and the stings of our wounds are still so raw, but they are a strong bunch of women and I know in time we will all find our place here on this planet.

The sky lights up in pastels, much like back home, and Susan suggests we get moving before the light fades away. We don’t have any shelter. We don’t have any food or warm blankets. Hell, we don’t have anything except our spirits to help us make it through the night. But we are alive, and for that everyone is thankful. We stand in a circle, looking each other in the eyes, and we agree to carry on.

We’re walking up a rise, the mountains looming ahead of us, when Becky calls out from behind.

“Look,” she says, pointing off toward the sunset. I turn and squint at the light, straining to make out the small black specks dotting the horizon. I count them—six tiny shapes, making their way through the sky like a flock of birds. The other girls stop and look, watching as the shapes grow bigger. Suddenly my heart is beating a bit faster, and the sadness I’d felt earlier is replaced by the slightest glimmer of hope.

Soon I can make out the flapping of wings, long necks and powerful legs. I want to yell out, to tell everyone it’s him, but I hold back, afraid to be wrong and have my heart broken again. But then a familiar voice calls out to me, and the floodgates of joy open in my heart.

Rin, the voice says. Where are you my treasured one?

I scream with joy and jump up and down, waving my arms as tears roll down my cheeks.

I’m here! I yell in my mind, excited beyond what words can express. I’m here by the mountains. I was so afraid for you, thank goodness you’re okay!

The dragons circle around overhead, their bodies so graceful against the pastel-colored sunset. Now the other girls are following my lead—jumping and yelling out into the twilight air. I’m overcome with joy, so thankful to see Targon again. I guide him toward us using landmarks as guides, and soon he spots us amongst the trees.