The Fallen Valkyrie

Bianca: Hello Stranger.

Bianca cast a piercing gaze at her sister, her iceberg blue eyes reflecting her exasperation. Layla stared back, a mix of surprise and fear in her eyes, fearing that Bianca might explode at any moment.

"Oh, really?" Layla retorted, her hands leaving the steering wheel and landing on her thighs with a loud smack.

"Oh, damn it, Layla! How could you not see it?" Bianca scolded. "I've told you a million times to keep your eyes on the road, but you never listen."

Layla slammed the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden halt accompanied by a harsh screech. "Is this really about me not looking at the road, or are you upset about something else?" Layla questioned.

"Why do you always assume that I'm pissed at you?" Bianca whispered, anger seething in her voice.

Layla stomped out of the car and kicked the door behind her in frustration.

"Really?" Bianca shouted at her from the half-open car window. "I'm not upset with you. I don't like the way you're acting. You've been in constant denial since the death of Mom and Dad." She immediately regretted her harsh words.

Bianca stepped out of the car as well, mustering a calmer tone. "Listen," she said, "I know it's hard for you, but you shouldn't punish yourself, Layla. Why are you so reckless?"

Layla approached Bianca, grabbing her shoulder tightly. "Tell me, what did you see?" Layla asked dramatically.

"W-well, I don't know. It was something like a big bat," Bianca tried to recall. "It had really large wings."

"Oh, wings, huh?" Layla responded skeptically.

Bianca rolled her eyes. "Look, I know you think I'm obsessed with folklore, but I really saw something."

"Maybe it was just a bat. Can't you let it go?" Layla shrugged off Bianca's hand from her shoulder.

"Fine," Bianca said angrily. "I don't know why I even bother with you. I'm going home."

"Oh, really?" Layla scoffed. "You're going to walk through this stupid street all alone, in the snow."

"Yeah, it's safer than being with someone who can't keep their eyes on the road while driving," Bianca retorted.

"Fine," Layla squealed. "Why don't you take your stupid wings with you as well?"

"Sure, I can't leave them with a person who can't take responsibility for their actions," Bianca stormed towards the parked car and carried the wings in her arms.

She surveyed her surroundings and saw her sister lighting a cigarette. "Great," she murmured and left.

Bianca knew it wasn't about the wings; it was about the lack of trust her sister had in her. Layla had always treated Bianca like an imbecile child, mocking her choices, her lifestyle, and even calling her a freak.

The streets were cold, and the fog veiled the streetlights, casting a dim light that barely illuminated the partially layered cobblestone pavement covered in white snow.

Bianca's mind frequently projected the image of what she had seen. She was certain that what she saw wasn't a mythical creature, but it could be something else. Yet, she couldn't help but think it was all just her imagination.

Maybe Layla is right. Maybe I'm too caught up in my own mind, Bianca thought.

She had a lot to deal with. The real world had never quite fit her; she had always been drawn to the realm of mythologies, tales of heroes, gods, love, and betrayal. However, she knew that believing in a world beyond folklore wasn't wise or sane.

Bianca was worried about her sister's recklessness. She had concerns about Layla crashing into something or someone she claimed to have seen flying across the sky. It felt too real to be just imagination.

As she walked through the cold, clutching the wings and feeling their warmth, Bianca glanced at the sky, but there was nothing to be seen. Until she heard something.

The crackling of wood and muffled footsteps reached her ears. She had only walked a few blocks away from her sister, and she could still see the car's blinking parking lights.

Bianca hesitated, fighting her inner reluctance to turn around and look back. But the temptation grew too strong, and she defied her fear, slowly pivoting her body.

There, in the dim streetlights, she saw the silhouette of a person. The snowflakes danced around the shadow, outlining the shape of a girl.

"Layla, is that you?" Bianca whispered, her voice unexpectedly soft. She spoke again when she received no response. "Layla... don't play with me. I'm really scared."

The silhouette remained silent, coldly staring at her, or at least conveying the illusion of cold and lifeless eyes fixed upon her.

Bianca's legs trembled, the frigid air biting her skin as her heart raced, pumping blood through her veins. The silhouette stood motionless, seemingly frozen amidst the glistening snow.

Suddenly, screeching tires shattered the stillness of the cold and empty streets. Headlights sliced through the darkness, swerving erratically. Bianca caught a glimpse of the approaching figure in the scattered glow, but it was too fleeting to recognize the face. However, one distinguishing feature stood out—a tattoo—that confirmed it was her sister.

"Layla!" Bianca screamed. "Why didn't you say something?"

Layla remained motionless, as if her feet were trapped in an invisible force. As the car drew closer, the headlights illuminated Layla's devastated face. She was staring up at the streetlights, her mouth agape.

Bianca turned around to see the car hurtling toward her, veering uncontrollably.

Another reckless driver, Bianca thought, everything happening too fast for her to react. Her mind froze, thoughts ceased, and the world around her disappeared. All she could see was the car speeding towards Layla. The wings in her hands were obstructing her view, so she instinctively tossed them into the air. The wings unfurled, opening up as if they had a life of their own. Bianca lunged at Layla, pulling her out of harm's way.

Layla and Bianca tumbled into the bushes on the pavement beneath the streetlight. The car screeched to a halt, and a man emerged, gazing up at the streetlight. His eyes searched for something that wasn't there. From the bushes, Bianca looked at him, the wings falling back onto her lap.

"What?" Layla groaned in confusion.

"Are you alright?" Bianca asked, concern etched on her face.

"Why am I here?" Layla rubbed the back of her neck. "And why does my back hurt?"

Bianca stared at her sister in disorientation. "You're unbelievable," she muttered.

Layla looked incredulously at the wings resting on Bianca's lap. "I didn't know they could fly."

"Shut up," Bianca struggled to her feet with the wings and stepped out of the bushes.

"What are you doing?" Layla whispered, getting up herself. "That guy could be a serial killer. I've heard stories."

"Nonsense."

"Stories like these are always set in creepy locations like this town for a reason, Bianca," Layla insisted.

"Now you're talking about movies and imaginary s**t?" Bianca snapped.

"Yeah, whatever. I'm staying back," Layla mumbled.

Bianca approached the guy cautiously, aware of his fearful demeanor, as she had observed his trembling legs.

Or maybe it's just the cold.

As the guy saw Bianca coming closer, he slowly backed away, nearing his car door. Then, suddenly, he stopped and slapped his hand against his forehead.

The streetlight illuminated Bianca's face, her blonde hair gleaming and her blue eyes fixed dubiously on the guy.

"Are you insane?" Layla emerged from the bushes behind Bianca. "Who the hell drives like that?"

"Excuse me?" the guy retorted.

His voice was captivating, smooth, with elegant rises and falls that echoed through Bianca's mind.

"Excuse me?" Bianca exclaimed. "You were about to crash into my sister!"

"And you were standing in the middle of the street. Can't you see it's snowing?"

The guy's gaze fell upon the wings, and he spoke again, his tone laced with curiosity. "What's with those creepy things?"

"It's her Halloween costume," Layla interjected. "I warned her."

"Oh God, you gave me a heart attack," the guy muttered, a frown creasing his forehead.

"I'm sorry," Bianca said. "But you almost killed us."

"Hey, I saw those wings flying up in the sky, and I thought—"

"—that I'd seen something flying across the skies," Bianca and the guy spoke simultaneously.

Bianca smiled at him.

"Well, it seems everyone is seeing things with big wings except me," Layla grumbled.

Bianca shot Layla a stern glare and started to walk away.

"What?" Layla called after her. "Aren't you coming?"

"I'm better off on my own, and please, don't follow me," Bianca warned.

"You might as well ask the cute guy for a lift," Layla teased.

Bianca gave Layla a withering look and continued walking, determined not to succumb to her sister's provocation.

As she ventured into the unknown, Bianca couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead in this strange town and how the encounter with the mysterious Jeremy would unfold.