The Maiden of Air

Chapter 2

A little over an hour later, I was waiting in the hospitals waiting area for the she-beast to arrive. (A.K.A, my mom) The same officer that had brought me to the hospital, was still with me, making sure I didn’t run away again. After a doctor had fixed me up with some stitches on my lip and knee, the officer had let me call my little sister on his cell phone.

“Layla Holt speaking.” She said as she answered the phone with her normal greeting. She must have been eating breakfast, because her voice sounded a little muffled over the phone.

“Hi, Layla. It’s Erin.”

Whatever it was, she started choking on it.

“Erin?! Where are you? Are you alright? You know that I got in big trouble when mom and dad found out that it was me that helped you run away. So, you owe me big time.” She said, after she got over her coughing fit.

“I know, I know. Listen, in a few minutes someone is going to be calling mom that they found me. I need you to grab a few things for me.” I said.

“You do know that mom had sent most of your stuff to the Moon Palace already, right?”

“Yeah, I know. But I doubt she would have sent this stuff.” I quickly switched the phone to my other ear.

“Okay, what do you need?” She asked.

“You may want to write this down.”

After I had given her a list of things I wanted, I hung up the phone, and gave it back to the officer, whose name I had learned was Larry. For about two more hours, I sat quietly, waiting for the inevitable to happen.

“Where is she?! Where is she?!” A woman demanded as she entered the hospital. She had gorgeous, silky blonde hair, and bright blue eyes, which now were filled with fury. Fury directed towards me.

I cringed and jumped over the couch to hide. Larry looked at me, then to the woman, then back to me.

“That’s your mother?” He asked.

“Unfortunately, yes.” I sighed.

“Man, I almost feel bad turning you into her. But I have to do my job.” I groaned as he hoisted me of the ground by my arm. “Here she is, ma’am.” He said.

My mother stormed over to us. Layla followed close behind, carrying a backpack on one shoulder, and a pair of black, leather combat boots in the other hand.

“You have a lot of explaining to do, young lady. But for now, we must get to the airport. I called the Moon Palace, and they have arranged for us a helicopter to take us there.” My mom said.

“Nice to see you too, mom. Can I change first?” I asked, gesturing to the grungy clothes that I was currently wearing.

She checked her phone for the time, then responded, “You have fifteen minutes.”

“That’s all I need.” I walked over to Layla, gave her a big hug, and took my stuff. “Thanks, sis.”

She smiled at me. “No problem.”

“We’ll be waiting in the cafeteria.” My mom said.

“Alright.” I said, already walking away.

I walked into the lady’s public restroom, which was surprisingly empty. I opened the zipper on the backpack and got to work.

Using the washcloth, I had asked Layla to pack, I washed off all the dirt and grime that I had collected over the past month of sleeping on the streets. I changed into some black jeans that were torn at the knees, and a clean black hoodie. I pulled on my boots, then fixed my dirty blonde hair into a ponytail. After a few sprits of perfume, and a layer of mascara, I stuffed everything back into the backpack and walked out of the bathroom.

The hospital cafeteria was deserted, except for a few people clustered at one table, sipping on coffee, and nibbling on muffins. They stopped and stared as I walked by. One woman had a look on her face, as if she might know me from somewhere. I just rolled my eyes a little. I was pretty much used to getting that look. While on the run, people would stare at me as if they’ve seen me from somewhere. But most people would just brush it off and wouldn’t give it a second thought. As if I wasn’t used to being ignored either.

On this journey, I have gotten used to a lot of things. Like sleeping in trash heaps, and spiders crawling on my face. Now, I didn’t very much like spiders crawling on my face, but I now knew not to freak out every time it happens.

“Are you seriously going to wear that?” My mother asked as I walked up to her and Layla. She looked at her phone screen and sighed. “Never mind. We don’t have the time for you to change again. We have to get to the airport.”

“Right. The airport.” I said, with an annoyed tone. “Where’s dad?” I asked.

Sounding very impatient, my mom said, “He had to work at the hospital. He’ll be coming in about a week. Now come on. We’re going to be late."

At the airport, we were quickly escorted to a helicopter that would take us to the Moon Palace, located in the Colorado Mountains.

The man that was waiting for us there, was broad and muscular. He had brown hair, green eyes, and a jaw line so sharp, it could cut diamonds.

I could tell by his uniform that he was very important. He wore a blue formal uniform, with silver trimming on the shoulders, cuffs, breast pockets, and all the way down the front of where the jacket buttons up. On his right breast pocket was a crescent moon, and the roman numerals for the number twelve sewn in with the same silver tread. On his left breast pocket was the roman numerals for the number two. He wore the uniform of the second Guardian of the Twelfth Maiden.

Standing next to him was a younger, almost identical version of himself.

This boy looked my age but stood half a head taller than me. He had light brown hair, almost dirty blonde, like mine. Unlike the man standing next to him, though, he had deep, deep blue eyes that I found myself staring into. I looked away when I realized he probably thought I was a weirdo for just staring at him.

He wore the same uniform as the other guy, but instead of a crescent moon, he had a silver star sewn onto his breast pocket, and there was nothing on his left breast pocket.

As we walked up to them, they both put their right hand over their hearts and bowed slightly. I saw that they both had the same mark as I did. Further proving that they were the real deal.

When they finally straightened, the older man said, “Young Maiden Erin Holt. I am William Thomas. Second Guardian of the twelfth Maiden of the Eleventh Cycle. This is my son, Michael. He was chosen to be your Guardian.” He gestured to the boy beside him.

Michael bowed again, and said, “I am glad to finally meet you, Maiden Erin.” His voice sounded very bored, and thought I heard a hint of annoyance.

“No need for the formalities. Let’s just get this over with.” I said, sticking my hands into the pocket of my hoodie.

“Erin.” My mother said in a warning tone.

“What?” I asked, shrugging my shoulders.

“Right. Let us be on our way.” William said, cutting in before My mom and I could squabble anymore. She had opened her mouth to say something else, but everyone was already walking towards the helicopter.

William opened the door and hopped in with his son. He helped my mother and sister into the helicopter, while Michael helped me up. His hand was rough and strong. Must be a result from all the training he had to go through for being a Guardian. As I was holding his hand, I noticed the little star mark on the back of his hand. The same one I had. So, he really was my Guardian. I mumbled a thanks and took my seat.

William slid the door shut, and the pilot started up the helicopter.

“This is so cool!” Layla said excitedly while bouncing up and down in her seat. She knew that I didn’t want to go, but she had always thought it would be cool to live in the Moon Palace.

“Yeah, nothing like being forced into a tin can and taken to a place where you don’t want to go.” I mumbled, while looking out my window.

“What was that, Maiden?” Michael asked.

“Nothing.” I smiled innocently.

“Listen, I don’t think you understand the honor that has been given to you.” Michael said, irritation threaded through his voice.

“You listen. I didn’t sign up sh-.” I was saying when my mom snapped.

“Erin!”

If Layla wasn’t sitting between us, mother probably would have smacked me in the back of the head.

William held up a hand, and everyone went silent.

“Michael. That is no way to talk to your Maiden.” William said, scolding his son, as if he were a five-year-old.

Michael cringed. “Yes, father.”

I smirked. Even though I went back to looking out the window, I could feel his burning glare fixated on me.

I felt kind of bad for him. For the fact that he’s going to have to put up with me for rest of our lives. But then again, I’m going to have to put up with him too.