Plague

(Continued from a previous post named, My Sweet Prince.)

Hand in hand, the Demon and I walk through our land, scouring the bleak horizons for some fun. A constant darkness looms in the skies and plagues the land below. Side by side, the Demon and I circle our prey; a child, left behind with nowhere to go. He's crying out with red eyes and a sore throat, reaching into the sky for something to save him. His instincts calling out for a savior knowing that his time has come. A gentle growl escapes my Prince and I step in to take the claim. He's mine, I say with my blackened eyes and extend my arm to block his path. My Prince gives up his hunger and allows me the kill, but I do not kill. My hands caress the child's fragile skin and I stare into his eyes that spill water so freely. How does it feel to cry? I wonder, such a delicate, small creature, what nourishment would he offer? The boy wraps his hand around my stone finger, and I'm pained with a memory that I cannot find, like a shell of something but hollow inside. My Prince growls once more above my crouched body and I take one final look at the pearl-like baby in front of me. I kiss his little cheek and marvel as his body turns to stone. I pick up the little demon and hold him in the cleft of my arm, as if the spot was made for him. We continue our walk through the plagued lands, The Prince and I, and my little demon looking for his first meal.

The beast, the dragon, adored.

The hole in my chest grows as I walk the boulevard lined with Spanish Oak. Life bustles around every corner, in every entryway, on every bench around me. The panic begins to rise in my chest, and I place my hand on my heart to calm it. I duck into the next alleyway and my body falls onto my feet and pavement. A sob erupts from my mouth as I tighten my grip on my chest.

A curious static hums from my right and I look up to see a blur next to me, as if staring at an angel in front of the moon. A blur the size of my body suspended in midair, like dead air, like a window.. Behind the blur life goes on as it does with or without you. I extend my hand as it disappears and sends a ripple through the blur. I'm convinced. I throw my head back to stare at the sun one last time. I expose my vulnerability to everything living and a gasp escapes my mouth. I walk and disappear through the blur in the middle of the alleyway, and it dissipates after me.

A scream erupts from my mouth as I fall from the sky. The air pulls at my cheeks, and throws my hair and limbs in twists all around me. A dragon, with scales made of emerald and jade, catches my fall and carries me on. It's muscles tremble under my legs as the power of flight moves from head to tail. A giggle erupts from my mouth as I throw my hands up to comb the violent breeze above me.

Carry on my stalwart savior!

The world fades below me, like blowing on chalk scrapped onto the pavement. I tighten my hold on the dragon as my heart pumps excitement through my veins. "I'm ready," I say, "for whatever lay ahead."