Aceal's Journey

New Beginning

The only thought that went through our minds when we surfaced on the shores of Syndiville, was catching the next flight out of the city. We weren't planning on staying near the water. The temptation of a moon-lit swim to ease the home sickness, would pose a greater risk of exposing our race, than a night walk through a bustling city like Chicago. It seemed like the perfect place to visit and tour during our year-break from everything. However, the plane ride here was how I met Ava. She was seated next to Henry and I, her eyes red from crying, while it looked like a bruise was forming on her cheek.

As we talked, I had learnt she was fleeing back to her home city, after her high school sweetheart had turned abusive. She said it was the only time things had gotten that bad, but that once was all it took for her to see he would never change. After learning she watched her mother go through an abusive marriage, before finding the courage to leave, it made my heart sink into my stomach. Growing up with two parents who adored each other and would do anything for each other. The sudden realization dawned on me that not everyone got that experience. Could those experiences be the reason she ended things? The reason she's scarred of commitment?

Climbing into bed, leaving the curtain open, watching the moonlight stream in as it crosses over the city skyline. The windows reflecting the silver cascading waves of moonlight that now rippled across the cream-colored comforter. My stomach rolling like the violent waves on a beach during a storm. I had no clue if Ava rejecting me was causing slight physical discomfort, or just my nerves being on edge about going back home early. Loud banging abruptly woke me from my slumber, rolling over cursing under my breath. The bright red numbers, burning my opening eyes like that of a bright light when someone turns on the lights to awaken you. A quarter past six, the only person who would want me awake this early is Henry.

"You can quit banging and come in!" I called out, sleep still lacing my voice.

"Get up!" Came Henry's excited voice.

"How are you a morning person?" I groaned, pulling my torso away from the bed sitting up. Dragging my hands over my face. The crusty bits falling onto the comforter, as I rub my eyes, blinking until Henry's excited face comes into focus.

"Coffee! Humans have this item called coffee!" Henry answered, bouncing from one foot to the other.

"I know, how many cups have you had?" I questioned, knowing he would easily crash after our tour.

"Four, maybe five? I just know I'm wide awake and ready to go." Henry replied.

"Maybe so, but you'll crash later." I responded, laughing at his confused look.

Tugging on a pair of jeans, something vastly different than the formal wear, I met Ava in yesterday. Reaching for the baseball cap I had picked up in a gift shop a few weeks ago. I hated wearing sunglasses to shield my eyes from the glare. The bustling of guests checking out surrounding us as we crossed the lobby. Exiting onto the busy sidewalk.

"Where to first?" I asked.

"The tour doesn't begin until two in the afternoon, the hottest part of the day. How are we going to survive?" Henry complained.

"Maybe you should have chosen a city in a colder climate range." I remarked, even though I knew the point he was trying to make. We came from a kingdom that hardly got any sun. Which meant the water was often icy cold. A normal human couldn't survive the temperature we lived in.

"We live in a cold environment. Forgive me for wanting to spend our time on land in a warmer environment." Henry stated, glaring at me.

"Then, since you wanted us to be in a warmer climate, again quit your complaining. Enjoy the warmth, sunshine, and pretty sites around us." I replied.

"Easy for you to tell me to quit complaining." Henry smugly replied.

"What does that mean?" I inquired, looking over my shoulder at him.

"You know what that means. Everywhere we go, the women fawn over you. Crowding you like a school of fish." Henry replied, rolling his eyes.

"I don't ask for the attention, nor do I want the attention. You have a girl back home. Why are you complaining?" I replied, turning to face him.

"She's not my beloved. I see mom and dad, your parents. It makes me envious and a little sad. I haven't found mine yet." Henry shrugged, wiping his face.

"You already know finding our beloved is a rare thing, that we usually just marry someone else." I said, looking at his tear-filled eyes.

"I don't want that type of love though. I want the one person who is going to be specifically meant for me." Henry sobbed, trying to dry his eyes.

"Maybe you'll get lucky and find her. If not, it will be ok." I responded.

"Yea, maybe...." Henry trailed off as he pulled me to the side of the hotel, narrowly avoiding a woman in a hurry talking on her phone. Looking down realizing she had dropped something from her purse.

"Ma'am! Ma'am!" I called out, running to catch up with her. Tapping on her shoulder to gain her attention, ducking as she turned around swinging a fist in my direction.

"What do you want?" She questioned, as I straightened up.

"You dropped your wallet. I was just trying to return it." I responded, holding out her wallet, meeting her brilliant smokey grey eyes. There was something about her that I couldn't place. Something that caused me to touch her hand when she took her wallet from me.

"Thank you, most people wouldn't return something this important in this city." She responded.

"I'm not like most people in this city." I replied, letting go of her hand. "You're welcome by the way, do you think maybe you would go to dinner with me sometime?"

"Let me check my calendar, I'm in a hurry at the moment." She answered, pulling a piece of paper and pen from her purse, handing me the paper with a number on it. "Call me. We can discuss dinner arrangements."

"Sure." I replied, tucking the paper in my jeans pocket. Walking backwards, watching her disappear around the corner, before turning back to Henry.

"She's your beloved, isn't she?" Henry questioned.

"I think so, only one way to be sure. I asked her to dinner." I replied, trying to calm my nerves.

"What about Ava?" Henry inquired.

"Huh? Oh, yeah about Ava, that's what I wanted to talk to you about." I replied, my thoughts stuck on the young woman who almost bumped into me, if it weren't for Henry.

"Ok, what about Ava?" Henry pressed, wanting information.

"She ended things with me last night." I replied, nonchalantly.

"So, does this mean we go home?" Henry inquired.

"We can, but I want to know the woman's name we just ran into." I answered.

She only came up to my chest at five foot six inches, her long blonde hair set off her smokey grey eyes. Her figure the shape of an hourglass, her weight carried in her breasts and thighs, while the dress she wore complimented her complexion. The nagging feeling of wanting to see her again eating at the pit of my stomach.