Phoenix: The Rebirth

Stranger

Still raining heavily like the heavens were raging with the earth, Sara was sure she heard a knock. Knocks.

Together with Davina, she froze in shock. With all confidence she could muster, she walked up to the door. Slowly, she opened the door as the knocks became incessant.

“You!” She exclaimed in shock on seeing him. It was Nathan, Xander's son. He was drenched and wet from head to toe.

She looked at him and ordered him in. She could not help but order him in, he was getting affected by the cold.

Davina furrowed her brows in anger as she sighted him. “What on earth are you doing in my house?” She ran to him trying to push him.

Sara grabbed her immediately, she knew what her intentions were. Nathan stared at her as his lips curved into a smile.

Davina was irritated by this action of his and tried to free herself from her mother’s grip. Nathan placed his arms in his pocket as he watched Davina.

“Davina, comport yourself” Sara instructed angrily, and immediately, Davina stood still while Sara released her from her grip.

“Nathan. Xander's heir, right?” Sara questioned as she couldn’t identify him.

Even though she did not know him so well, Davina’s actions portrayed the whole information. Davina stood behind her mother, ready to attack Nathan.

“Why are you here?” She questioned. “Sit. Your clothes should be a little drier now” She smiled at him as she realized he was no longer cold as the room temperature had warmed him up. She sat by his side, carefully.

“There is no need ma'am. I came on behalf of my father” Xander wrote a letter to Davina and ordered Nathan to give her the letter as he had no idea they were in a feud.

“Alright, thank you” She smiled at Nathan who bowed in respect and was about to leave.

“Where are you going? The outpour from heavens is still a bit too much” Sara commented.

“Mother, let him leave”

“No ma'am, it is fine, Father will be waiting for me. I have to leave now” He bowed again and dashed into the rain, not minding its intensity or severity.

“Get prepared, we leave shortly for the market”. Sara turned to Davina. “What does the letter entail?”

“Well, father told him I was no longer interested in learning and it seems he wants me back” Davina shrugged.

“You've learned so much, you don’t need to return to him, you know?” Sara advised as her heart raced in fear. She feared Davina could change her mind that minute.

“Well, maybe not all. So, what’s your decision?” Sara asked as her heartbeat became faster.

Days passed and Davina had concluded. She gave a final look at her mother before walking out of the house. She had always wanted to live her life for her mother.

She had always wanted to please her mother and make her happy but how could she not live her dream? She had always dreamt of being a warrior all her life but her mother didn’t want it.

“I didn’t expect you to return here”

Nathan frowned as she arrived at the Academy. She simply ignored him and went in. Even though it was just a day, she had missed the Academy.

“Davina” She heard a voice and turned. Surprisingly, it was a face she had never seen but a voice she had always heard and a scent she had always known like it was her mother’s.

“Who are you?” She asked in fear as she moved backward. The scent intoxicated her and filled every part of her body, it was becoming too much for her to bear and it struck her mind.

It was the same guy, the one who had been saving her in her dreams. No, it could not be. She definitely could not see him. She could not see him. She tried to understand but looking up, he was no longer there. She ran as far as she could in search of him.

“Where are you going?” Nathan grabbed her hands as he watched her run.

“Did you see him?” She questioned breathing heavily.

“Who?” He questioned as he placed his arms on his waist. Other students of the Academy mocked her as they watched her run.

Being the only female in the Academy, the males found a reason to dislike her as they all wanted to be Nathan’s friend and as such, Nathan’s friend will be their friend. Also, his enemy shall be their enemy.

“The man who passed here just now” She replied, trying to catch her breath.

“You sure aren’t in your right senses” He sneered. “I have been here all along and no one walked in or out of here. You definitely must be imagining it”

“Of course, I am not. Listen, you don’t like me and I don’t like you either” She explained, “That can be on hold but did you see anyone leave?” She questioned, panting.

“You don’t like me?” He asked with disappointment registered on his face.

“Well, you hated me first and I had no option. I could not like you who hated me.” She tried to free herself from his grip.

“Really? Do you think….”

“I do not care about what you think I think, let go of me!” She pressed his feet to the floor with her shoe. Wriggling in pain, Nathan released his grip on her hand. Quickly, she ran as she sighted the strange man walking away

“Davina!” He called after Davina as she ran away. Immediately he began to run after her. Even as she ran, the stranger walked but she still could not meet up with him.

“Davina!” Nathan called again but she wasn’t ready to listen to him. She had her gaze fixated on the stranger whom she was following.

The stranger didn’t share a gaze at her as he continued walking gently and slowly as he had initially started.

“Davina!” Nathan called again as she kept running into the woods. She had no idea of what she was doing. All she wanted was to find the stranger and stop the games he was playing with her. Suddenly, she stopped.

She could not find the stranger, she was lost in the woods but she could smell him. He was around, somewhere.

"Davina!" Nathan held her hand.

"Get away from here" She pushed him angrily.

"No, I can't leave you here. It is dangerous here" He tried to pull her away but she remained stubborn.

"Get away from me!" She grunted as she tried to release herself from his grip. Nathan was not going easy with her as he was determined not to leave her behind. The woods was too dangerous for adults, how much more children? Wild animals and creatures could be lurking around there yet Davina was obstinate, she was not ready to leave until she finds the voice that is always calling unit here.

Davina wanted to end it once and for all. She was tired of hearing his constant call to her anywhere and everywhere.

In the midst if struggle, Nathan fell to the floor and with his grip on Davina, she fell on him too.

Davina tried to stand up quickly but Nathan held her back. She stared at him in surprise and tried to get up again but he held her tighter.

"What are you doing, let me go!" She yelled at him in anger.

"No, I won't" He insisted.

"Have you gone crazy? Leave me alone!" Davina yelled again but Nathan was determined on not letting her go no matter what.

"Why are you doing this and want do you want from me?" Davina yelled angrily.

"Because I want you to go home, I want you to be safe" He replied.

"Why are you concerned about me being safe? You never liked me so why are you so concerned?"

Nathan paused for a moment and answered.

"Because I like you" He smiled. Davina stared back at him in surprise

"As a friend and a sister. Please, do not get me wrong." He quickly clarified the air as he realized she was getting the wrong message

"Then why have you always being so cruel to me?" She questioned.

"Because I like you. I like your confidence, your boldness and everything about you. I like strong girls not weak ones; damsels in distress who would always hold on for a Prince Charming to save them in times of trouble

I like a strong woman who can defend herself anywhere and everywhere and you are a woman like that"

"That sounds as an irony to me" She confessed and raised her brows.

"Well....."

Suddenly, they heard a loud roar that made Nathan free Davina's hand immediately