Freestyle
Family.
Gossamer broke down in tears, almost before she knew what was upsetting her. She tried to keep them silent, but it was no use. She could feel the stinging of the mascara in her eyes.
"Sweet or unsweet?" Heather asked, in her cute southern accent.
"Huh? Oh," she choked a tear back, "Sweet."
Heather must have heard it. She immediately appeared, empty handed, and a bewildered look appeared on her face.
"Gossamer? Hun, have a seat," she said, and they both took a seat on the sofa.
"I'm sorry," Gossamer said, beginning to regain her composure, "Your family pictures are beautiful. I just.. I'm just feeling lost."
"You miss your family."
"In a sense. My parents are still here... my brother... well that's a long story, but I have no idea. Heather I just don't think we're supposed to be here. I have no one to connect to. I mean, you're my friend, and a wonderful friend at that, but the few others like me... are in labs or have become total recluses like my parents. The ones like me, out in the forefront, just aren't taken seriously by most. Most humans still want us compartmentalized into that small box in their brain labeled as fantasy. Those who know better have us locked up in labs. Sorry, I know, that's not how you feel. I just mean the majority."
Heather nodded, and waited for Gossamer to continue.
"We came here when I was only four, which is incredibly young even for a human, so I don't remember much of the other realm, other than the fact that we had to leave it. When we left, our parents were hopeful, happy, and full of love. Now they are reclusive and silent. I have a brother, Gidian. He figured if he went to the research facility on his own, things would be better for him."
"Were they," Heather asked.
"I don't know. I've never seen him since.
"Gossamer... I know someone that can help you, but it comes at a cost."
"Help me? What do you mean? Counseling?" Gossamer asked, almost offended.
"No, no," Heather said, almost laughing, "You want to belong, right? A family?"
Gossamer paused.
"Exactly. I want back what I've lost," she said.
"How far would you go? Would you give up yourself? Your identity? Your memories?"
Assignment Seven Revisited
Her memories... That was all Gossamer had. Her first few years in this realm came flooding back to her. Most of them involved a pond, not too far from the home where she grew up. Such lush and beautiful life it was surrounded by. Gossamer thought of the snapshot her mom got of her when she was first developing her wings. She'd noticed the birds following her and her mother to the pond, and at the time was extremely frustrated. Later on, she grew to realize they were her guidance, and her companions.
She remembered the secret clearning in the lake, where she would go when she grew older. It was where she would meditate, submerse herself in water and thought. She would be truly happy there. Gossamer realized she would be losing more than memories, she would be losing everything she held dear. But what else could she do? She felt herself dying inside, missing a place she had never known.
Lost Wings
The sound almost stopped Aedan's heart. It was different than the theatrical crunch he'd heard in all of the movies. The scream was what stood out to him. And as soon as his eyes turned the direction of the accident, he saw her body land on the pavement. He ran as fast as he could to get to her, and his heart almost stopped a second time when he saw the blood oozing from her head.
"Miss?!?! Miss?!!?!"
The response he heard was unintelligable, but a response nonetheless.
"Miss? Stay with me," he said to her, trying to hold her attention, with the intense fear that he would let the girl's life slip out of his hands.
"I need some help! Someone call EMS!" he yelled frantically. The girl started to stir, attempting to get up.
"No, no, no. Back down. You can't move, but you can talk to me."
He heard more unintelligable dribble, then:
"Oohhh," she said, lifting her arms ever so slowly.
"Heeaaaddd... Oh God it hurts," she said, still slurred, but he could understand.
"Miss, can you tell me your name?" he asked, trying to hold her attention.
"I... I don't know."
