Their Prophecy

Wild

It was during the second week of staying within the suffocating building that Ana decided she would escape.

Not for long, of course.

She liked Eve and didn't want to get her into any trouble.

Likewise, she understood how important it was to keep a low profile here.

Still, the call of the elder tree was growing louder and she longed for fresh air, the squish of grass beneath her bare feet.

Escaping had been easy enough. Eve was a deep sleeper and Ana had no problem knocking out every other creature she came into contact with on her way to the lobby. The girl had been searching for the exit for days and had been surprised to find that a utility closet was actually the elevator. The gentleman stationed at the desk hadn't even had the opportunity to look her direction and, though the camera's all flashed with pictures of her, warnings that a child was leaving the premesis, the human who'd been meant to monitor such things had been commanded to sleep.

Snoring now, Ana noticed that he'd had a fresh cup of hot coffee in a mug next to him.

It was a bit of a shame that it would be cold by the time he woke up.

When she heard a soft whisper, she'd hesitated, glancing to her left to find a familiar face. Dressed in loose fitted shorts and a hoodie, dark brow quirked, was the boy who had been teasing her earlier. What he'd whispered was the nickname he'd decided to bestow upon her: "Cheeks." The girl openly frowned at him and he gave a sheepish smile. "You shouldn't go out alone."

Ana thought about putting the boy to sleep too.

"Besides, do you even know how to call the elevator?" he asked, c*****g his head to the side.

No.

The girl pursed her lips, aware that she hadn't quite figured that part out.

Sauntering over to the desk, he gently lifted the man's head, he'd hit a button on the screen and she waited a very long moment, watching as the door to the elevator popped open. The boy took her hand in his, guiding her inside, shutting the door after them. Glancing up at him, she noticed the light smile on his face as he reached into what looked like a metal box, pressing another button which made the elevator begin it's ascent upwards. "I'll take you wherever you want, Cheeks." He sounded a bit smug.

"I don't like that nickname," Ana stated firmly, glaring down at where her hand was nestled in his.

The boy rolled back on his heels. "Okay, what do you want me to call you then?"

"Anal--just Ana," she muttered seriously.

"Okay Anal Just Ana," the boy teased, giving her a cheeky smile. "Where are we going?"

As they stepped out of the elevator, Ana commanded the boy to sleep, watching as he slumped to the ground in a heap. "We're not going anywhere," was her soft answer. Flexing her hand, now free of his vice grip, she walked lightly over to the front door, unsurprised to find a familiar man standing in the doorway, hands in his pockets, expression unimpressed.

"You can't stop me," she stated coldly, glaring up at her link.

Zech opened the door, stepping carefully out of her way. "That was never my intention."

Surprised, the girl waltzed outside, inhaling deeply, and frowning at the scent of gasoline. Trash. Sweat. "What a horrible smell."

Her link hummed in agreement, offering his hand to her.

She stared at it for a long moment before glancing up into dark eyes, the only familiar face she'd seen in weeks.

She'd had to leave her home.

Her family.

Everything she'd ever known.

It was a relief that, at the very least, she still had Zech.

Slipping her small hand into his firm grip, she let him lead her away from the safety of the gym.

. . .

The wilderness was thrumming with sounds.

Zech had driven her to the edge of a vast forest and had followed along after her as she'd squealed at the squish of mud beneath her feet, taking off toward the heart of the forest. It was a bit mangled, some of the vegetation destroyed due to construction. Ana could smell chemicals in the water, noticed shredded clothing strewn about just feet from the elder tree.

Closing her eyes, Ana began to sing.

Hitting a deep bow, her eyes glowed white, and she began to dance.

It was the same movements the faerie named Yuni had taught her.

And upon her third leap into the air, she noticed a silver butterfly had landed on the tree.

No doubt watching the display.

Curious about the little girl with strange power.

Zech was seated on a branch not far away, unsurprised by the faerie that materialized, glancing around the tree shyly at first, then finally falling into a careful step with the girl.

This faerie presented itself as a young boy, twirling the young girl about.

When the chimes sounded, Zech recognized it as faeries laughter.

When flowers materialized, falling upon them from the sky, Zech knew it was a sign of celebration.

"This is nice."

With a start, Zech realized he wasn't alone on the branch.

Seated next to him, in the tell-tale form that was all too familiar, an old man was smiling down at the scene unfolding before them. "What the hell are you doing here?" the Pureblood grumbled. "And how do you keep sneaking up on me?"

"Trade secret," was all the Augur said, smile widening eerily.

Trade secret, his ass. Zech frowned openly at the creature, awaiting an explanation.

The old man turned to him, eyes turning that terrifying black. Like two voids, the creature continued smiling, as if it wasn't one of the most terrifying beings on the entire planet. "How are you doing, Zechariah? You look whole."

Whole? He wasn't sure what the thing meant by that. Typically one would use the word "well" or "healthy". But whole? Rolling his eyes, the Pureblood forced his eyes back to his bond, supervising her as she galavanted about with a joyous faerie. "Gee, thanks," Zech grumbled, unamused by the Augurs insistence on carrying a conversation with him. Couldn't he just take a hint?

"You should have a talk with Ana," the Augur pressed.

Zech didn't miss a beat. "And you should mind your business."

"Everything is my business," the Augur stated, unblinking. "You may be a chess piece, but I set the board."

"I'm not a chess piece," Zech growled.

"No," the Augur agreed, "you're a vital chess piece."

What was it with this ridiculous metaphor? "Analise is not one of your pawns."

"She's the queen," the Augur corrected.

Zechariah's nostrils flared and he clenched his fist at his side.

This conversation was absurd. He was arguing with an archaic "damned" creature who was probably just here to rile him up, distract him from something important. Releasing his hand, he heaved a careful sigh, maintaining a close eye on his bond who was oblivious to the Augurs presence, now munching away on the enchanted mushrooms this new faerie readily provided for her. "Whatever you say," he muttered distractedly, noticing that Analise was already starting to yawn, her small body curling up in a ball in the lush grass to settle in her sleep.

He felt the creature staring at the side of his face but refused to acknowledge it, instead rising to his feet. The moon was still high in the sky but it was time to get a move on. He had to sneak the girl back in before her caretaker noticed she was missing and notified her pain in the ass grandfather.