No. 11

No, 11







                                                  My own little Paradise









Jinx kicked us out as soon as we got what we needed, and then we were back out on the streets.

I took a deep breath of fresh air that wasn’t spoiled by the smell of oil and grease.
I sensed you come up next to me as I watched the people walk by on their way to work.
How clueless they were to everything around them.
They suck! I wish I was that clueless.

You slipped your hand in mine and I squeezed.
“Your shaking.” You pointed out.
“Yeah? well that might have to do with the low blood sugar, and my anxiety acting up.” I replied, closing my eyes and trying to block out the noise.
“You have an anxiety disorder?” You asked in shock. I nodded.
“I’ve always had it, but it really kicks in when I’m in a big city. Not to mention I’m already stressed so it’s really bad right now.” I explained.
You didn’t say anything for a moment.
“Hey I’ll be right back.”
I nodded and let go of your hand rather reluctantly.

I watched as you walked over to the gang through my senses.
You all started muttering with each other for awhile.
I was too far away to hear what was being said, but I could tell that both Sav and Rix weren’t to happy.
Though somehow you and Quorra managed to persuade them.

I chuckled when Quorra said something to you with that smile I knew all too well.
You denied something and walked back over smiling.
“Come with me.” You said, taking me by the waist. I knew what was coming, so I wrapped my arms around your chest and held on hard.
“Like I have a choice!” I shouted. You laughed then teleported the two of us... somewhere.
We ended up in a small quaint town. I let go of you and looked around.

The town looked old. But a charming kind of old.
The most charming part about it though, was that each of the houses had a stained glass window.
The sun was hitting off the ocean that was near by, (I could hear it) and the sun rays were projected through the glass, making a rainbow of colors wash upon the wooden decks that acted as roads.

The town was small, one where if you lived here, you would know everyone by name. Even down to the little kids that ran up to us laughing.
They all linked hands and formed a circle around you and I.
We both laughed as they sang a little song.

“We love
We fall

But the
Creator
Picks us up
Again

He always
Picks us
Up again.”

Once they finished they ran off giggling.
I smiled as I watched the girls in their full colorful skirts, with ribbons woven into their hair, skip across the wood in their bare feet. While the little boys wore just shorts, that looked wet, pushed each other around with grins on their faces.

“Welcome to Nibraca Zaydie.” You said with a sincere smile on your face.
I smiled back and looked around. there was something about the name that rang a bell, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Woman walked around with large baskets full of fresh and good smelling fruits and veggies, balanced gracefully on top of their heads.
The men walked around with freshly caught fish hanging off of a string.
As we walked past houses, older girls waved at us as they grinded wheat for bread.
Boys said ‘hi’ while they sharpened their knives.

“Come on. There’s a place where we can stash our weapons and coats.” You said eagerly. Taking my hand and leading me down the street into a small store.
Inside I found that it was an odds-and-ends store. It sold pretty much anything.
The “clerk behind the counter” was an old man sitting on a low stool at the end of the one room store, weaving a necklace.
He looked up and gave us a wrinkled smile.
“Do my eyes deceive me in old age or is that master Kylun and his mistress?”
I chuckled when you turned red.
“No your eyes do not deceive you Rin, I am Kylun, but she’s not my mistress. This is my friend Zaydie.” you introduced, leading me farther into the shop.
“Oh... but I think she will become yours someday.”
I smiled at him.
“Well maybe. But only if that’s what the Creator has in plan for me.” I said kindly.
I could see you beaming in the corner of my eye. Silly boy.
“Good answer miss Zaydie. Good answer. I think that you are a very bright girl with a bright future ahead.” Rin said kindly.
“I hope so.”
“Now what can I do you for?” He asked, turning to you.
“We just need a place to stash our stuff.” You explained.
Rin cocked an eyebrow, and looked at the two of us holding hands.
“Not that kind of stuff.” You said. “She would kill me before I ever got anywhere near close.”
For a moment I was slightly confused, but then I caught on and nodded. Letting go of your hand and crossing my arms.
“Yes, and it wouldn’t be a quick death.”
Rin laughed.
“Oh you youngsters. You think you know all the tricks to everything! Haha. Well I’ll be glad to keep your “stuff” in the back so long as the only clothes are those heavy boots and coats.” He stated.
I smiled down at him and nodded.
“It’s a deal.” I said.

We were led into the back where I unbuckled my holsters and wrapped my gun in my jacket. I slipped my feet out of my boots and pulled my long socks off after them, shoving them inside the boots. On second thought, I ditched the black tie too.
I turned to see that you had taken off the black robe, and I found that you were wearing baggy kaki colored shorts with two big pockets on each leg. You wore a blue t-shirt with a white design on the front. You had kicked off your own shoes and now stood looking like a complete stranger!
No I’m dead serious. If I hadn’t gotten use to the blond hair and blue eyes before now, I wouldn’t have known it was you.

I smiled.
“I think you look better in something that’s not black.” I said as I stepped out into the shop.
You chuckled behind me. “Thanks.”
I looked at you over my shoulder and smiled, giving you a nod.
“Ah, there. Now you’ll be able to enjoy the nice cool breeze from the ocean, much better.” Rin said from his position on the stool.
“Thank you for letting us keep our stuff here.” I said kindly. He waved a thin hand.
“Don’t mention it young lady.”
I grinned and tucked my now black hair behind my ear. (it sure was weird to see it like that and think that it’s my own! though thinking about it now... you probably feel the same way.)
“Here. Just a trinket to remember old Rin by.” Rin held up the woven necklace he had been working on.
“Oh no I couldn’t.” I said, pushing his hand back gently.
“Of course you could.” He muttered seemingly to himself. “But you won’t, I think is what your trying to say. But anyways, take it please?” He asked holding it out again. I was about to give in. “Just to please an old man.”
I sighed and took it out of his hand.
“Well if you put it that way.” I said quietly with a smile. “Of course I will.”
The necklace was made of different colored strings all wrapped tightly around a leather cord.
In the middle of it hung a small pink sea shell.
I clasped my hand around it and put a hand on Rin’s shoulder.
“Thank you. For making a girl happy. Takes a lot these days.” I said kindly.
Rin scoffed.
“Don’t I know it.”
We all laughed and walked out of the store.

I turned and looked down at the south end of the road. It opened up and seemed to lead right to the ocean. The sun was hanging over head, and the breeze was cool. Tugging at my hair and skirt.
“help me out would you?” I asked, turning to you, holding out my new necklace.
You hesitated for a moment then took it from my hands.
I pulled all of my hair out of the way as you placed it around my neck.
You clipped it closed and then tickled my ribcage.
“Ah stop! Kylun stop!” I cried through the laughter.
You were laughing right along with me even though I hadn’t even touched you.
You did stop and I caught my breath.
“Hey you’ve got to see this!” You said, taking my hand and running to the end of the deck.
The sun warmed wood felt good under my bare feet, and the wind whipping my hair around only added to the happy feeling.
We came to a quick stop at the end of the deck and I looked down.
There was no land under us.
We were on water!
“Most of Nibraca is floating on docks on top of the water.” You explained as we looked out at the big blue ocean. “There is a bridge that links Nibraca to the main land, but mostly, the people stay out here.
Nibraca is big enough to be considered an island. So now it’s referred to Nibraca Island. Even though it’s just one town.”
I smiled and looked around at all the houses and their glass stained windows.

The houses were built out of wood panels, with wooden roofs. The buildings were all round, and most of them seemed to have a smaller house on top of the flat roof of the big one. (all though they were still all just one house.)
The smaller “house” was the one that had the stain glass window on it.
I also noticed a flight of stairs leaning against one house, that led up to the roofs.
The houses were built so close together that you could easily walk from one to the next.
The first roof (that you would walk on) was made of wood. And the smaller one was made of straw and probably tar to keep it from leaking.

I noticed one bridge that went out over the road, then noticed that this wasn’t the only road.
I ran over to the side of the road, and looked down. There was a big gap, and water was running down there, but then there was another road a few yards away, that had another row of houses on it.
“This is amazing!” I cried, glancing back to you. You chuckled.
“Yeah it is. I loved coming here when I was a kid. My mom use to come here on vacation. That’s how Rin knows me.”
“Ooh. I like it here. It’s so quiet... so peaceful. You know what?!” I asked, jumping around and clasping my hands in front of me.
You looked taken aback slightly by my random burst of energy.
“What?”
“I want to live here when this is all over.” I said more calmly as I walked to the edge of the deck and sat down. Dipping my feet into the cool water.
You sat down next to me with one foot in the water.
“Really?”
I nodded.
“Yeah.” Then it struck me. And I laughed. “How ironic don’t you think?”
“How so?”
“Because Mikaiela use to live here too.”
I said quietly.
I looked over my shoulder.
And for a split second I saw a phantom of a girl that looked just like me. The long brown hair (that I use to have) the green eyes, and the ever so present smile.
She held a basket on her head with one hand, and held the hand of a small blond headed girl in her other.
She glanced back over her shoulder and gave me a smile.
I smiled and looked back out at the water.
“Oh! I have a promise to keep!” I cried suddenly.
“Huh?”
I turned to you and gave you a bashful smile.
“You wanted to know how everything turned out for Genesis and Mikaiela.”
“Ooh! Ok.”
I smiled. “Aarek decided that Mikaila should tell the ending of their story, so in the book, she came in and wrote the ending. I wrote it down in my own notebook because I just thought....” I pulled a small notebook out of the pocket on my skirt. “.... that it was the ending that I wanted to my story. But if it’s not my ending, at least I can be happy for her. Right?”
You nodded. I flipped through the pages till I found the entry. Then I read it out loud.

“You want to know the first words that Genesis ever said to me were?
He said ‘I didn’t think I’d ever see you again .’
Now obviously I was confused because I had never met him before.
But then I figured out that he was talking about another girl.
One that looked exactly like me.
He never mentioned this girls name, which was fine by me.
And he never got us confused again after that.

The ending of this story is definitely a happy one.
I’m sure Aarek has told you all about Genesis and I,
so to answer your unsaid question.
Yes.
He did finally propose to me. (I was so happy when he did, though I
thought he’d never get to it!) Haha.

The wedding was spectacular. It was held right here. Right where I’m
writing this. Right here with my best friend, and my husband.
(I will say this though. Being 17, and having a husband is one of the
scariest thoughts!)

The wedding took place in Nibraca. Genesis was kind enough to let
me have that childhood wish.
Everyone came! And I do mean everyone!
The docks were packed full of everyone dressed in their best,
And all of them were pushing to get a chance to see the new couple.
I wore the dress that my mother made for me.
I won’t waist the next several pages explaining it, because it would take
just that. The next several pages.
But I will say that everyone said I looked like an Creature from Paradise.

Genesis and Aarek are still the same old same old, even though
relationships have changed. For the better of course.
Aarek thankfully doesn’t feel awkward when he hangs around us,
and the two of us keep the kissing to a minimum during the day. Haha.

Aarek though, I am afraid to say that I think he will grow old and grey
alone. Though I don’t think he minds. He says he wants to travel,
with the Creator’s blessing, I’m sure that he will.

I can’t say much for the future sense the Creator is the only one who knows
what’ll happen.
I can only hope that it brings good things, and we won’t be needed in another
fight.
Who knows? Maybe it’ll bring children... haha lots, and lots of children.”


I looked up at you and closed the notebook.
“So there you have it. Everyone’s happily ever after.” I said sweetly. Placing the book back in my pocket and swinging my feet around.
You smiled.
“Sounds pretty good to me.”
I nodded.
“Though I can’t believe she was only 17! I know she’s legally an adult, but that still seems young to me.” I commented.
You laughed.
I started to study you. Trying to figure out how old you were. Only you didn’t know it.
“What?” You asked glancing down in a panic.
I smiled.
“How old are you anyways?”
“Um... well lets see, going by how long I was gone in the future time, I would be... 20.”
My jaw dropped.
“But here seeing as you said it was almost a year since I was gone, and this month is my birthday so I’m almost 19.”
“Oh... is that all?” I said in shock. Didn’t expect you to be that old! (not that there’s anything wrong with being 19 of course!)
You chuckled.
“How old are you Zaydie?”
“I’m 17 now.” I chuckled after I said it. Ironic!
“An adult now, whoa where did the time go?”
I nodded and smiled.
“I don’t feel like an adult though.” I commented.
“Yeah? and how’s an adult suppose to feel?”
I paused. “No idea. But what I meant, was that I still feel like a kid, you know? And I don’t really want to grow up.” I said. Leaning forward and cupping my face in my hands, which were propped up by my elbows on my legs.
“No one’s asking you to. Least of all me.” You said with a smile. “Don’t they all say ‘stay young’?”
I laughed.
“Yeah I guess they do.”
“So don’t grow up Zaydie. Just stay like this forever.”
I smiled and looked down at our reflections in the water.
“Stay like this huh? I guess I can do my best, but I can’t make any promises.” I said kindly.
“I know.”
A sudden feeling washed over me, threw myself at you and squeezed you hard.
“Uh...” You muttered as you hesitantly placed my arms on my back. “Zaydie are you ok?”
“Yeah...” I mumbled. “... so long as you stay right here with me. And stay this way all the time.” I said, a sudden tear rolling down my cheek.
“I can’t promise you the last one...” You muttered. I clutched your shirt harder and buried my face in it.
“But I can promise you the first one.” You finished in the kindest tone I had ever heard you use.
I raised my face and looked you in the eye.
“Really?”
You nodded.
“Yeah. Really.” You said kindly. Wiping away a tear from my cheek.
I sniffed and laughed, wiping my hands across my eyes.
“Sorry. Don’t know what came over me... I guess I was just in need of a hug.” I said quickly. Really, I was trying to hide this new feeling that was developing inside me.
I had no idea what it was!

You chuckled.
“It’s fine. That’s one of the things I like about you. Your always so open with everyone, but in a kind way. You don’t really push yourself on people... except maybe me.”
I laughed.
“But that’s fine. I guess I’m a bit of a bonehead sometimes.”
I looked over and measured with my fingers.
“Just a bit.”
You shoved me playfully, and I shoved you back. But we were both laughing.
“Hey.”
I felt someone tap my shoulder, I turned around and found a small girl with short brown hair that was windblown. She had the biggest blue eyes ever! It was so adorable.
She wore a multicolored patch skirt with a sash around her small hips that had little creds hanging off of it.
She wore a white, square neck line tank top. One strap kept falling off and she was constently pulling it back up. She had a ribbon in her hair that was rainbow colored and was longer then her actual hair.
“I’m Nina. Who are you?” She asked.
I smiled and turned around fully so I was now facing her comfortably.
“My name is Zaydie Nina. How old are you?”
She held up a whole hand, plus one on her other.
“A whole hand, and one!” She said with glee. I noticed that she was missing a front tooth.
“Oh wow! Your so big now!” I commented. She giggled.
“How old are you?”
“To old to count on my fingers.” I said with a smile.
“Well you can use my toes!” She suggested. I laughed.
"Yes I guess I could, well here let’s see.”
She sat down in front of me with her feet on my lap.
“Now hold up all ten of your fingers,” I instructed with a kind smile. She held up her two hands with her fingers spread out.
I then counted on her toes, tickling her as I did.
“One, two, three, four, five, six, and seven! That’s how old I am.”
She studied her hands, then her feet.
“So, two hands, one foot and two toes?” She asked.
I laughed.
“Yup! Good job.” I held out my hand and she gave me a high five.
“Cool!” She then jumped up and ran off to tell her other little friends.
I smiled and turned back to you.
You had been watching with a grin on your face.
“You sure are something Zaydie.” You muttered.
“Oh? ha how’s that?” I asked.
“You have such a way with kids! It’s just... I don’t know. It’s neat. Real neat.”
I smiled.
“That’s what I really want to do someday.”
“What?”
“Work at a preschool! I love all the little kids at that age, their just so cute and adorable!”
You laughed.
“I can imagine you doing that Zaydie. I really can.”
I looked up and grinned.
“Really? do you think I’d be good at it?”
You gave me a tender look, that I hadn’t seen before.
“I think you’d be the best teacher those kids could ever ask for.”
I blushed and looked back down at the water.
“Thanks. I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” I said quietly.
Your jaw dropped and you leaned back a little.
“Are you serious?!”
I nodded.
“Yup.” I shrugged. “Hey what can I say? I don’t meet a lot of decent guys these days.”
You rose your eyebrows.
“So your saying I am a decent guy?”
I nodded.
“Well sure. Yeah.”
You nodded slowly.
Then a whole group of little boys that looked to be around seven, maybe eight came up to you.
“Would you fight with us?”
You were slightly shocked by the request.
“Excuse me.”
“Could you play swords with us? We don’t know much, and we usually end up beating each other up real bad.” one cut in.
“Oh!” You looked at me as if you were asking for permission. I laughed.
“Yes go! I’ll be fine.” I said with a smile.
You leaned forward and kissed my forehead then jumped up and went off to teach the little boys how to play fairly.

I turned around to watch you when Nina came back.
“Can you play with us?”
“Sure, if I get a hug first.”
She dove into my arms so suddenly I almost fell backwards into the ocean. (which wouldn’t have been good.)
I then got up and let her lead me to her little group of friends.
I knelt down on my knees as the smallest one climmed up into my lap.
“This is Tika.” Nina said, pointing to the little four year old.
“This is Yuna,” She pointed to another little girl with long blond hair that was woven into a really pretty braid that ran around her head.
“This is Riena.” A little girl that was really shy.
“And this is my twin Hakia.” Nina said, pointing to one of the girls closest to me. She looked like a spinning image of Nina only she had long hair instead of short.
“Everyone this is Zay-die.” She said pronouncing it slowly. I smiled and waved. “She’s two hands, one foot and two toes old!!” Nina shouted. All the girls ’oh’ and ’ahed’.
“You have such pretty hair! It’s so long!” Yuna exclaimed touching my hair.
“Well thank you. The Creator has blessed you with pretty hair too! Can you do that to mine?” I asked. Yuna shook her head.
“No my mommy does mine. But we can all do something to it if you want.”
“Sure go for it!” I said with a laugh as Tika scrambled up off my lap.
I sat there real still as all the girls did my hair for the next ten minutes.
“Wow, you guys sure are doing a good job.” I heard you say. I turned slightly, and all the girls yelled at me.
“Hold still!” They cried.
“Oops. Sorry.” I said, becoming stiff again.
You came around in front of me and collapsed on the dock.
“Boys wear you out yet?” I asked with a smile.
You nodded.
“Yeah... man their so full of energy!”
I laughed.
“Yeah I’m sure they are.”
I could hear the boys yelling at you to come back over and play. You gave me a smile and rose to your feet.
“Hair looks nice by the way.”
“Well I’m trusting your judgment because I can’t see it!” I called after you.

The girls finished a few minutes latter.
“There! It looks really pretty!” They all exclaimed excitedly.
I reached back and touched it. It felt like they had put it up in some kind of bun at the back of my head.
“How are you keeping it up.
I then noticed that they all had their hair ribbons out.
“Aw you guys you didn’t have to do that.” I said. They all gave me a confused look.
“Well... it would have fallen out if we didn’t.” Nina said.
I smiled and gave them all a group hug.
“Well thank you. I’m sure it looks beautiful. I’ll give you back your ribbons by the time I leave.” I said letting them go.
“Your leaving?” They cried in shock.
“Well... I have too. I have a job to do.”
“What kind of job?” Hakia asked, bending down on her knees.
“Well... it’s a very dangerous job. I have to fight people in order to keep people like you girls safe.” I explained in my best story telling tone.
“Oh really? Do you fight dragons?”
I nodded. Harpies were close enough.
“Have you met Prince Charming yet?” Riena asked. I looked at her with a smile.
“I don’t know... I might have, or I might not. But I won’t know till the Creator tells me.”
All the girls nodded.
“And don’t chose yourself! Because he might seem nice on the outside, but he might not be right for you on the inside.” All the girls gave me a curt nod at the same time.
I smiled.
“Exactly! I will keep that in mind. You girls do the same ok?”
They all giggled.
“We’re too little to think of a boy anything but a friend!” They all exclaimed.
I laughed and lifted my hands.
“Well of course you are!”
“Hey Zaydie! We need to be getting back.” You called.
All the little girls wined.
I gave them each a hug, then I was about to take down my hair so I could give the ribbons back when they all shook their heads.
“No! You keep them as a promise! You come back and visit someday soon ok?” Nina exclaimed.
I smiled.
“Alright. I promise I’ll come back ok?”
They all nodded and gave me such big smiles that their eyes squinted shut.
I laughed and got up.
“I’ll see you girls soon!” I called over my shoulder.
“Ok! Bye!!” They all yelled, jumping up and down waving at me.
Then you took me back to Rin’s store.
We grabbed our stuff and put them back on.
Outside the store Rin said farewell to us.
He gave me a hug.
“You watch this one carefully now you hear? He’s a keeper.” He whispered.
I smiled.
“I will. Thank you again.” I called.
You gave him a hand shake and then took me around the back of a house and teleported us back.
Away from my own little Paradise.
But I made a vow that day.
I would come back.