Wow...

She weighs almost nothing. It's weird. She healed so quickly...and is now standing on her own feet with no issues whatsoever.

"Thank you." her voice is a near whisper.

"Uhh...yeah. Do you want to come back to my house for the night?"

"Thank you, but I couldn't intrude."

"It wouldn't be an intrusion." I assure her-maybe a bit too eagerly...

"Oh, then I guess..." she pauses as if thinking of alternatives "Yeah. That sounds good." she smiles that amazing smile.

"Oh good. Do you have any belongings?"

"Yeah.." she looks around "Where--? Oh." she sounds a bit despairing and looks up into the tree.

I look up as well and see a brown satchel hanging from one of the top branches. "I'll get it if you want?"

She looks at me as if just remembering I was there. "Could you? This leg..."

I nod and go over to the tree.

Pain...and that smile

Darkness taints my usually clear vision. "Well, that hurts a lot more than expected." I laugh.

"You ok?" he's so sweet...and that smile...

I laugh again. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Alright..."

"I'm fine. I promise." I am fine, the pain is already receding, giving way to a warm feeling-like when you hold a cup of fresh coffee? Its calming, and healing and it makes my leg feel much better. Then suddenly there is no injury.

"Whoa, your leg..."

Shit, I forgot he was there for a second.... "Yeah... I heal fast."

"I guess." he laughs, and I feel stupid for being so paranoid.

I shakily get to my feet and he supports me. "Thanks."

"No problem."

Her smile...

It's intoxicating... I can't help it. She's so...not normal.

Her skin is like crushed cedar bark, her eyes are like evergreen or emerald, with crystal blue sparkles. She's so unlike all the little blond girls in my world... and her hands are warm, but tough. She's like the girl I would have imagined if I ever cared enough to see a perfect girl.

"So...obviously you're new here. I mean I haven't seen you around."

"Yeah, I'm not from here. I travel."

"Oh cool."

"Yeah it is pretty cool."

I feel the awkward moment and pause... "Umm...can I help with that leg?"

"Yeah... I'm too scared to pull it out myself..."

I look down at the leg and its bloody, the wooden shaft of the arrow is like the stem of an upside down poppy, the blood blossoming over her dark flesh.

I grasp the stem and pluck the flower.

The voice

'Why would it matter?' a voice asking my name...never to be trusted.

A male voice answers 'I-- I'm Jazyl. I'm 15 years old...'

I feel arms-presumably his- around my body and i struggle, then feel the shooting pain through my leg. 'I'm Alexandra. Is there any way you could set me down and wake me up?'

In reply I feel my body set gently on the ground. 'Thank you.'

'No problem.'

I feel a soft shaking on the outside in the real world where Jazyl is. I slowly become aware of my real surroundings, sitting up slowly against the tree. "Oh... hi."

"Hi. I'm Jazyl."

"Yeah," I smile, "I know. And I'm Alexandra, Alex for short."

He offers a hand "Pleasure to meet you Alex." it's his turn to smile and I'm almost stunned. He's gorgeous. Like...wow.

I take the hand with a grin, a bit too late. "It's all mine."