Birth of the Dragon

Panic

Alex


Alex stared at the ground beneath her hands and tried to breathe past the pain in her chest, her thoughts running so fast they collided with each other. What connection did Father have to the elves? Was he with them now? Why hadn’t they mentioned Mother? Did that mean they were nearby? What would she say to them if she saw them? What if, maybe, they hadn’t abandoned her and Bash?

At this foolish thought she clenched her hands into fists, dirt getting under her fingernails as her fingers scraped through the earth. She hadn’t thought such hopes had survived the long years. She needed to speak to Bash.

Rocking back onto her heels she stood slowly, her eyes still barely registering her surroundings. Turning to run back to the house she only then realised that Ryan was still there.

“Alex, I-“ he started, reaching forward.

She palmed his hand away and brushed past him. “Just don’t, Ryan.”

“Bu-“

“Just drop it!” She yelled, turning to glare at him, her teeth clenched. Seeing his hurt and confused expression, a surprising thought ran through her mind. He’d just learnt he was the lost prince of a species they hadn’t even known existed until a few days ago. What’s more, he’d just been told that his father, who for all Alex knew Ryan had been told never wanted to see him, not only wanted to meet him, but to entrust him with the crown to his kingdom. Alex didn’t think he had any siblings or, given the way Ryan didn’t seem to spend particular time with any of the others, close friends to confide in. He was alone and probably needed someone, just like she did. For the briefest moment she wanted to make stay with him and make sure he was alright, but this was quickly brushed aside. She and Bash had survived this long by following their rules.

With a shuddering exhale, she turned away from him and murmured. “I just can’t.”

With that she ran back towards the house, she could feel seven beings inside; she closed her eyes as she ran and focused on thoughts of Bash, seeking the feeling of his mind. He was alone in her room. Skipping the first and third patio steps, she burst into the kitchen and almost slipped on the loungeroom rug as she tore up the stairs.

“Bash!” He looked up from his book and opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted when Alex said, “You should be asleep.”

He rolled his eyes and gave her a half smile, but closed the book. As he looked at her face his smile fell and he sprang from the chair. “What is it? A shout that sounded like your voice woke me but I assumed I was dreaming.” Alex was taken aback, how often was he awoken from dreams of her screaming? Why hadn’t he told her about that?

She would need to ask him about it later. She took a shuddering breath. Where did she even begin? “I know where Nicholas is.”

Bash froze mid-step and Alex held her breath. She mentally kicked herself; that had been far too blunt. Way to go, Alex. Instead of speaking, he ushered her inside. Even though it was close to two in the morning and everyone else appeared to be asleep, he looked out the door both ways before easing it shut with a soft click. Alex was relieved to see that despite his friendly demeanour with the others his trust and loyalty still rested solely with her.

“Where is he? Have you seen him?”

“No,” she paused and sat down as on the bed whilst Bash began to pace. A worrying sign. “It sounds like he works for the elves now.”

He momentarily stopped pacing and though the word didn’t pass his lips she knew what he was asking.

“Ryan. He was being stalked by a pair of them and when we confronted them they said that apparently Ryan of all people is the sole heir to the Elven Throne but I reckon that’s bullshit.”

Bash continued to pace, tugging at a thread on his shirt. Alex didn’t try and force him to stop, instead giving him space to let out his energy. The voice she spoke in was low and gentle though. “Bash. Take a breath.”

He didn’t seem to be listening to her as his pacing quickened, beginning to speak to himself out loud. “That means he must be close by. Which means mother is too.” Alex stood slowly and backed up to the window, keeping her eyes on him. She heaved the old wood open, having to rest it on her shoulder as she worked the rusted latch. Okay, now some cool air was coming in. “And we need to talk to the elves. So we’ll see Mum and Dad.” Fuck, his weighted blanket was downstairs in his room. “And maybe these elves have already told them where we are. Maybe they’re on their way here right now! May-“

He cut off halfway through his thought as his breathing became short and erratic. One hand clutching his chest and the other holding his slick forehead.

Alex placed her hands on his shoulders, as she usually did but jumped back as though she had been burned. Bash’s thoughts swirled through her mind like a tornado; memories, imagined scenarios, all tangled up with an overwhelming panic that constricted her lungs and threatened to crush her
identity. Who was she again? She was nine years old and Baba was rushing inside to grab a band-aid whilst Ale- she was fourteen and Mama was explaining to him how long he would need to leave his sheda- it was his eighteenth birthday, there was a note on the tabl-

Alex fought to return to her own mind and her own reality. She was Alex, not Bash. She vaguely noticed that she had fallen to her knees, but it felt like a dream. Looking up in her daze she saw Bash struggling to breathe, his eyes wide and tears rolling down his face. He needed her.

She pushed against his mind and with a groan she staggered to her feet. Taking a deep breath, she imagined a wall around her mind that no one could breach, thick and stable. When she placed her hands on him she could still feel his thoughts pressing against her but her wall kept them from drowning her again. With her hands on his shoulder she applied a slight pressure and kept
them moving in a slow circle, trying to keep him grounded in the physical world.

Keeping her voice quiet and slow she said, “Bash, stay with me now. We’re going to get through this. I’m right here with you. Keep your eyes on me and focus on breathing on me. In out, in out. You’re doing really well. Now, in two, out two.” He was doing far better than usual and the pounding
waves against her defences began to subside. She didn’t let any emotion show though, forcing her voice to remain even.

“Now, in two three.” The air rippled and the waves were gone. Bash took a deep breath that filled his lungs, holding it for a few seconds. As he exhaled a pleasant chill washed over them, removing not only Bash’s panicked emotions but also her own fear and concern, leaving behind a deep calmness.

He took several more breaths, his eyes closed, before giving her a slow smile completely at odds with his puffy, red eyes. “Thank you.”

Both of them should have been overwhelmed with shock and relief, Alex had nearly lost herself in Bash’s mind and his shortest ever attack had lasted thirty minutes. Instead, all they felt was the quiet stillness, flowing through and removing all unpleasant emotions.

Alex opened her mouth slowly, as if she was moving underwater, to ask what had just happened when a shriek pierced the air. Shattering their calm, they both doubled over and clutched their ears. The girl had awoken.

They heard a series of muffled yells as the shriek no doubt woke the others. A door creaked and Alex yelped as Bash bolted from the room. The door slamming reverberated down the hallway and Alex ran after him. Standing in her bedroom doorway, she looked down the hallway to see Bash breathing heavily and blocking the others from the attic door.

“Everyone needs to go downstairs for a team meeting!” Alex knew her brother must have looked quite a sight to those who had only seen his charming persona; hair tussled, red eyes from crying rimmed with dark circles, his body shaking and breathing heavy.

Too startled to refuse they all began to make their way down the stairs, though she noticed Alana glancing back towards the door longingly and Ryan caught her eye before mouthing, ‘are you two okay?’ Alex was taken aback by his question but quickly brushed it aside, walking down the stairs
without looking back.

No one spoke out loud but being so close to everyone, their thoughts whispered through her mind. Bash looks horrif-wonder if they’re oka-how could they do that to Dak-what the fuck was that screech?

Standing in a lopsided circle around the couches, Bash looked to Alex and she gave him a slight smile. “I’m here for you. Remember to keep breathing.

Before he could speak Sam’s voice filled the room, quavering slightly. “Bash. What was up there?”

Alana gave Bash a dark look but kept her mouth shut so Alex did the same. Bash did his best to give them his easy-going grin but it quickly fell. “When I was with the witches I overheard them talking about what Dakota may become and what she might do.” He pulled at his shirt thread, unravelling it further. “She’s safely secured upstairs.”

From the corner of her eye she saw Alana wipe tears from her eyes but Alex’s focus remained on Mel as the witch folded her arms, looking sceptical. “How secure exactly?”

Alex gritted her teeth and placed a hand on her hip. She couldn’t believe how naïve and ungrateful small-town people could be. “Are you alive right now? She’s secured.” She resisted the urge to say, ‘you’re welcome’.

Bash put his hand on her shoulder and she fought not to jump when his voice rang through her mind. “Don’t be too hard on them, they’re just scared.

Before Alex could respond he removed his hand and the connection was lost. Alex kept her wry smile to herself, of course he had noticed her ability was heightened through touch.

Alex was brought back to the present when she heard the tearing of fabric and she looked up to see that Sam as gripping the couch so hard his fingers were white. “You’re both very willing to lock someone up like a prisoner for something they can’t control.” He paused and his eyes went wide as he looked down at his nails, letting go of the skewered couch. “Where did you even find, I’m guessing chains, to hold her anyway?”

Both siblings opened their mouths to defend themselves. They’d been in the house when they arrived, they certainly hadn’t bought them themselves. But both were interrupted when the others continued to attack them with questions. “But what will happen to Dakota after?” Alana demanded.

Sam nodded to Alana in agreement before looked at the Bash and Alex. “Exactly, what happens then?”

Bash made a small noise in protest but thankfully the barrage against him ended when Ryan then asked quietly. “What about her family?”

“Her mother probably wouldn’t even notice,” Alana replied bitterly. “Just send her some bottles.”

At this Sam made a huffing sound and folded his arms, murmuring under his breath. Alex would have thought that no one was close enough to hear what Sam said but both Ryan and Selina gave him a confused glance before quickly looking away. Though Alex was sceptical Selina had heard his comment and was more likely to have felt his emotions. Looking at her flowing golden hair and deep blue eyes Alex felt an explosion of butterflies in her stomach and she quickly looked away, afraid Selina may have noticed.

“Well she’s going to have to eat something at some point,” Mel pointed out. “What do we do about that?” Alex had to agree that she made a good point.

“I’m not donating,” Selina immediately spoke, raising her hand.

“I would,” Ryan shrugged, seemingly ever the gallant saviour. “If I had to.” At the blatant stares, Ryan rolled his eyes. “It’s not her fault, is it?”

Bash had regained enough control of himself that when he spoke his voice was gentle and reassuring again, though not in the same way it had been in Alex’s room. “Let’s not worry about that yet, we’ll figure someth-“

“Alana!” Sam’s voice reverberated through the house.

They all turned towards the sound and Alex didn’t need to hear their thoughts to know what everyone was thinking. Without a word they all ran towards the attic, Bash in the lead.

There they found Dakota, Sam and Alana, each covered in Alana’s blood. Sam held her frail unmoving body whilst the vampire remained huddled against the wall. Alana’s neck was covered in blood but Alex could see her chest was moving ever so slightly.

Bash grabbed Alex’s hand. “Alex, your-

I know.” They both nodded and as Bash turned his calming smile towards Dakota, Alex moved towards Alana.

Placing her hands on the girl’s shoulders, she pulled her from Sam’s lap. He opened his mouth to protest but Alex whispered, “I can help her,” before he could. He searched her eyes for a second and although Alex knew he couldn’t read her mind she squirmed under his penetrating gaze. Finally, he nodded and allowed her to drag the unconscious girl out of the room.

As she heaved the girl down the stairs she struggled to pick her up, preferring not to listen to Alana’s feet bang against the wood. Alex knew she wasn’t a particularly strong individual but even she had thought she had a little more power in her than this; damn the girl was heavy!

“I’ll help with Alana as well.”

The attic door opened and her least favourite unkept brown mop and vibrant green eyes descended down the stairs after her. “Oh for fucks sake, of course.”

“What?” Ryan asked innocently, eyes wide. “I just want to help her.”

Alex rolled her eyes and Alana groaned, the girl was quickly losing blood. “I don’t have time for this.” She pointed to Alana. “Pick her up and follow me!”

Ryan nodded and knelt down. “Do you know how to heal her?”

“Do I look like some magical fairy being?” she said, not looking at him as she led the way to her room. “Put her on the bed once I’ve put a towel down.”

Running to the bathroom she grabbed the nearest one and then laid it out on her bed. Turning away from the pair she hoisted her sewing kit onto the desk and rummaged through the different sections. Of course it had to be at the bottom. She finally pulled out her medical kit, and before she touched her instruments she pulled on a pair of gloves and tossed another packet to Ryan. She coughed as she opened her bottle of hydrogen peroxide and dipped her instruments inside. She’d need to throw the liquid away now and buy more but she didn’t have the time to disinfect her metal dish to then put her instruments in to be sterilised.

Now ready she turned back to Alana and Ryan, who was trying not to stare at her as he only then put the girl down on the bed. “Why do you have a sewing kit, if you don’t mind me asking?” Immediately he closed his eyes and shook his head to himself, though Alex refused to reach out and learn why he seemed angry.

She turned her mind back to threading the silk through her needle and only half focused on their conversation. “Because clothes are expensive and I’m a pretty decent seamstress.”

After a few moments, Ryan nodded briefly, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Cool.” God, this silk just didn’t want t-there we go.

With her needle threaded, Alex picked it up with her needle driver and moved over to the bed with both it, her forceps, scissors and sterilised wipes. Alex positioned herself beside Alana and wiped the area clean as best she could given how much the wound was bleeding. She paused but didn’t look at Ryan, only then noticing how close he was to her. “I’m alright to do this by myself. If you need to leave that’s okay… I won’t think any lesser of you,” only then looking up into his eyes.

A muscle twitched in his jaw. “I’ll be fine,” he said shortly. “What do you need me to do?”

Alex didn’t argue. “I need you to hold her still whilst I’m working.” Alex turned the girl’s head to expose the wound and Alex rolled her shoulders to try and get the kinks out. “I don’t want to hurt her any further.”

Ryan leant over and held Alana down by her shoulders. A section of hair hung over his face and Alex couldn’t help but smile. “I’ve got her.”

Alex shook herself and told herself to focus on the task at hand. She took a deep breath and allowed herself to relax. Despite all of the blood the wound didn’t appear too bad, if anything it looked as though the major injury hadn’t been made by the two obvious bite marks, but by something tearing the teeth from the wounds. It wouldn’t need any more than three sutures but it would definitely heal better with them. She could almost hear her parents talking in her ear as she worked. Begin in the centre. Always keep the utensils parallel.

As Alex closed up Alana’s skin she could feel Ryan watching her, though thankfully he didn’t break her concentration with mindless chatter. She paused briefly, one more to go. “What does it mean?” Alex fought not to jump at his sudden question and for a moment wasn’t sure what he meant before she realised that she must have been singing Mama’s lullaby. They had always said she had a strange habit of singing whilst she did any needlework.

“Um, it doesn’t translate well into English. It’s about a child who won’t do what they’re told.”

“Where did you learn it?” Ryan asked with curious eyes.

Her throat constricted and she turned away so he wouldn’t see her glassy eyes. She bit her tongue, angry that she still felt this way. She knotted her final suture and cut the excess thread before whipping the wound clean. She then said, in barely a whisper. “My mother sang it.”

Ryan continued to regard her curiously as he said, “where is she now?”

With her work done she pushed herself away from the bed and placed her dirty utensils on her desk. “Oh, somewhere in the world, doing as she pleases.” Her voice harsh and bitter.

“Ah,” Ryan said softly, looking away.

Alex bit her lip and turned away, she shouldn’t have said that. How, after being so good since they had set their rules, was she failing so miserably after knowing these people for literally only forty-eight hours?

The floor creaked and Alex turned to see that Ryan had let go of Alana and had stepped back. “Sorry,” he said, almost like a question. “I didn’t mean to pry.”

Alex gave a long sigh and rubbed her forehead between her thumb and middle finger, leaning against her desk. “Don’t be. I shouldn’t tell you those sorts of things anyway.” She took a deep breath and clenched her fist. “What are you going to do about the elves’ demand?”

Ryan blinked. “Uh, I wasn’t sure. With Emerald here it seems important for me to stay. But then, there’s also the war. It might be a good idea for me to befriend the elves.”

Alex couldn’t help but grip her desk at the mention of Emerald. Though she couldn’t remember why she hated the dragon so much, and it appeared as though Emerald didn’t either, Alex’s anger wouldn’t subside. Then there was the awakening of her power before they had gone to the witches. Something about the dragon’s touch had affected her and all in all, she didn’t trust the small creature. Finally she said, “It is indeed a conundrum.”

Something changed on Ryan’s face and he narrowed his eyes at her. “Are you reading my mind?”

Alex eyes grew wide before she glared at him; shocked, angry and, although she didn’t want to admit it, hurt. “You really think I would invade your privacy like that?”

He shrugged. “Something like that could be hard to control.”

Just like that all of her anger and defensiveness rolled off her shoulders, and she looked away, an embarrassed blush creeping onto her cheeks. “Oh. It can be yeah. More so when I’m around particularly powerful people though. Around all of you guys I don’t have too much of a problem.” She paused, searching his face before tentatively asking. “What is being an elf like?”

Ryan breathed in and leaned back. “Cotton and blood are overpowering my nose right now. But if I concentrate…” His brow creased. “Wood heated by the sunlight, faded perfume, old metal…” His eyes fluttered open, and he shut his mouth. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced. My whole life has changed.”

Alex nodded along as he spoke. “I know exactly what you mean, it’s constantly pressing in on you and forcing you to concentrate on blocking it out.”

Ryan gave a half smile. “Exactly.”

Alex felt a smile tug at her lips but looked away. She needed to remember the rules. She walked to Alana’s side and checked her sutures; not her best work but it had done its job. “We should leave her alone to sleep, she’ll be alright.”

Ryan’s gaze flicked between Alana and Alex, before nodding and Alex couldn’t help but wonder what thoughts were running through his mind. They turned toward the door to return to the others when Alex’s body stiffened, a strange presence brushing her mind. She vaguely felt Bash through the stranger but she was too shocked to reach out to him. It couldn't be, it just couldn't.

Bash, Alex, is that you?

Neither sibling responded for a moment. It. Just. Couldn’t. Be!

Dad?