Five

“Darby,” Mom stopped her on her way out the door, “what happened to your face? How did you get all the bruises? You weren’t in a fight, were you?”

“I’m fine, Mom, and no, I didn’t get in a fight. I think I just ran into something and didn’t know it. I’m sure it’ll fade soon,” she told her.

“Okay,” Mom reluctantly gave in, “let me know if it gets worse.”

She nodded, quickly going around her to get outside. She knew that the bruises weren’t fading, if anything they were getting more noticeable. She tried not to be stressed about it but people were starting to get suspicious and she even got called up to the principle’s office to talk about it. 

She kept her eyes down as she walked into the senior hallway, trying to ignore her classmates staring as she went by.

“Darby,” Heather gaped at her, “what’s going on? Your face is getting worse, maybe you should go to the doctors.”

“I’m okay,” she repeated tiredly, she was getting sick of the questions.

Heather let it go, but the look in her eyes didn’t leave.

She sighed, “I’ll call the doctor tonight.”

Heather smiled, “Much better.”

The day seemed to drag on and on until finally seventh period ended. She drove to the skate park, ready to take advantage of the unusually sunny day. She was aware that a lot of druggies and homeless people were around there but it was one of the only parks that the town had and she wasn’t going to be scared away.

She sat at a picnic table and pulled out her homework. Pleased that not that far away were parents watching their young son play on the play structure. Even though there was a group of boys sitting at a table much closer to her. She recognized them from school, but not enough to call them by name.

Suddenly they all relocated at her table. She glanced up in surprise, “Umm, hi?”

“Hey,” One of the more confident boys spoke, “you’re Darby, right?”

“Yeah, I go to school with you. You are. . .”

“Travis. Hey, you get hurt or something?” He gestured to her face.

“No, it’s nothing. Delicate skin, I guess.”

“Ahh,” he grinned, “so you like it rough?”

She blushed, “Oh no, it’s not like that.”

“Darby, it’s okay,” he leaned in, “I’ve seen you around, I’ve wondered. . .”

She sat back, “I’m not interested.”

“I didn’t ask if you were,” his tone turned threatening.

She put her work away and got up. The family was gone and she was alone. She turned and began to walk away when Travis grabbed her wrist.

Be assertive. Don’t show him that you’re scared.

“Let me go,” she ordered.

We’re in public. He can’t able to touch me.

He seemed to notice that too, “Come take a walk with me, we can talk,” his grip tightened.

“Leave me alone!”

“Cut the act, you know you’re into it.”

A new voice came in, “Hey, let the girl go, she’s not interested.”

“Back off, I saw her first,” Travis snarled.

With unbelievable strength the boy yanked Travis’s arm off of her. Darby cowered behind her savior.

“You here to start something?” Travis snarled.

“Just to end it,” he stated calmly.

“You son of a b***h-”

The boy handed Darby his keys, “Get in the car,” he told her, “I’ll meet you in it,” he then dodged Travis’s fist.

She ran to the parked car and locked the doors. Breathing heavy she waited for him to return. In a matter of minutes he was back and they were driving down the road. She felt strangely safe with him and knew he wouldn’t hurt her.

Why do I feel so calm around all the strangers? This can’t be normal.

“Where do you live?” He asked.

“Turn this corner,”’ she directed, “It’s the fourth house on the right.”

He pulled into the driveway and looked at her, “Are you okay? I cut in as soon as I could, did they hurt you?” She noticed he wasn’t just talking about the bruises.

“I’m fine, they barely laid a hand on me. But I don’t know what would’ve happened if you didn’t come in time. Thank you. How did you know?”

“I was driving by and thought you were in trouble.”

“I was, thank you.”

He smiled, “No problem.”

“Did you get into a fight? They didn’t hurt you, did they?”

“He threw a few punches but missed. But I’m more worried about you.”

“Don’t be, I’m fine. You didn’t give them the chance to hurt me.”

He seemed to relax a little, “Good.”

“I’m Darby.”

“Seth.”

“Seth, would you like to come in, for a drink or something?”

“Sure.”

Thankfully, her parents weren’t home so she didn’t have to face any of there questions. She handed him a soda and sat at the table with him.

“So,” she began, “do you live around here? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

“I live in Portland, I was just passing through to visit a friend.”

“Oh, I guess I won’t be seeing you again.”

He grinned, “I’m a firm believer in if it’s meant to happen you’ll find a way to meet again.” She flushed red and he changed the subject, “How old are you, Darby?”

“I just turned eighteen.”

“And you didn’t transform.”

“Yep,” she beamed, “neither did you.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty lucky.”
She nodded, “I can’t imagine becoming a faerie I have so many plans and the rest of my life to live. Becoming one of them would ruin everything.”

Seth was quiet.

“How far away is your friend? You could stay here for dinner if you want.”

“Not that far away. But thanks for the offer, though,” he looked up at the clock, “I should probably get going anyway,” he got up, “stay safe, I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“I’ll do my best. Thank you so much for being there, I don’t know what I would’ve. . . thank you.”

He hugged her, “You’re welcome.”

Once he left, she noticed how much the atmosphere had changed. He made the atmosphere bright and happy, now, all it was was an empty room.

How can I all this to happen to her? She has a life, she doesn’t deserve this. But neither did any other mortal. They had plans and futures, too. What makes her mortality different?

Seth knew the answer and that what he felt was illogical. Until everything was decided it would be best for him and his empire to forget about her.

Impossible.

What he was doing was wrong, he was setting himself up for failure.

“Did you have a nice time?” Anthony asked as he opened the door to his house.

“Yes,” he smiled, lighting up the shadows in the corner as he did so.

“What’s the girl like?”

“Kellen was right.”

Anthony snorted, “That phrase is hard to believe.”

“The girl will make an excellent edition to the faerie world,” but even as he said it he pictured the mortal girl from this afternoon.

How wrong would it be to give her what she wanted?