Emi

I walk confidently through the bushes, taking long strides between the trees, and then into Gala’s glade. Gala, along with most of us, is eccentric. She looks completely normal at first glance. Her skirt and top are a matching yellow, bright against her tanned skin. Her brown hair is braided long over her shoulder, and she twiddles with it as she watches me.

“Welcome Emi.” She says and flashes me a meek smile. I sigh subtly. So, it’s this game again? I decide it’s best to play along, since she’s easier to handle this way.

“Hello Gala, I’m so glad you let me over on such short notice.” I say with an air of obscene niceness. I flash her my most charming smile.

“It’s no problem really. How have you been?” Gala says, with the same intensity of kindness.

“Oh, you know how it is. Not every day can be my best, but I try.” I say, maintaining my smile. God, I hate this. Gala giggles shyly into her hand. Then, she smoothes the non-existent folds in her skirt and gives me an expectant look.

“By the way, you look lovely tonight.” I say, not letting exasperation reach my voice. Gala giggles again and her cheeks are tinged slightly red.

“Oh, thank you Emi!” She exclaims, then falls down in a heap, as if she were a marionette whose strings had been cut. The abrupt collapse might have been concerning for a stranger, but I do my best to repress the urge to sigh. After a moment, Gala jolts, then slowly pushes herself back to standing. She wears a sharper expression as she stares at me.

“Emi.” She states. Her eyes wander to the surroundings, then to her clothes, and flinches subtly.

“She always chooses such garish colors.” Gala says and purses her lips.

“Anyways,” She says, her eyes fixed on me once again, “I’m sure you already know my answer?”

“I can guess, but I need an actual promise.” I say, dropping the fabricated niceness from earlier.

“An oath, you mean?” Gala asks, raising an eyebrow. She sighs.

“Fine.” She says, before I can respond. A lot more cooperative than I thought she’d be. At least, after I got past ‘her’.

“Let’s not waste time then. I’ll start it.” I say and lift my right hand, while clenching my brooch in my left hand.

“Gala, do you promise not to harm the rest of humankind for the rest of your life, or until this contract is renegotiated?” I ask, my voice humming with energy. Gala raises her hand, clutching something in her other hand.

“I accept these terms.” She states. There’s a spark of light between our hands and I feel a portion of my energy vanish, sealed in the promise. We both drop our hands and stand in an awkward silence. We stare at each other. Gala breaks eye contact first, turning around to face the forest.

“I’d best go before ‘she’ comes back. I’m sure you don’t want to re-hash that again.” She says and quickly leaves the glade.

“What the fuck is wrong with that woman?” I ask aloud. Though, she isn’t a bad person for agreeing to the contract. There’s one down. Now, it’s only three more and some stragglers to convince.

Easy, right?

My heart is squeezed with anxiety, so I instinctively pull out a pack of cigarettes and my lighter. I light one and take a drag of it, before looking up at the cloud covered night sky. This reminds me of our last meeting. Aiding me in my addiction, huh? I laugh quietly to myself, air escaping my nose in rhythmic heaves.

“Look at me now.” I whisper. I take another long drag from the cigarette, then drop it and crush it under my shoe. If only we could’ve stayed like that. Life was at least marginally less stressful then.

I can still recall when we first met months ago. He looked so depressed that day, it was inevitable that I’d approach him. I guess it’s true that hurt souls are attracted to each other like moths to a flame.

We never truly talked about our pain or our struggles…not until that last day. Yet, even those seemingly meaningless conversations acted as a remedy of sorts.

It couldn’t fully heal the injuries of the day, but it made the wounds into scratches.

It couldn’t fully lift me up, but it helped me hold on for a bit longer. That’s all you can ask for in life. Something or someone that makes your day feel lighter.

It’s gone now though. Those days are in the past. I search the sky vainly, but it’s completely blanketed by uniform darkness.

“No stars…no wishes.” I whisper, then abruptly tear my eyes away from the sky. I head out of the glade and into the shadowy forest.

Back to reality,

Back to my injuries,

Back, where I’m supposed to be.