Fluke Episode 6: A Birthday Surprise [i]Pop pop, pop pop pop![/i] "Surprise!" Melody shielded her face for a quick second before looking back at the small room. She felt a warming breeze touch and comfort her all over, as well as an uninvited awkwardness. She looked around at the faces of friends and other guardians whose big bright smiles enhanced their already cheery attitudes. Colorful streamers and balloons ran across the whole room while tables were decorated with extravagant cloths. In the middle of the room was a beautiful cake with a certain number of shining candles. Of corse; at the center of it all was Alton and Darian, their smiles were extremely appealing. They motioned for her to come inside, for they nor any one else would bite. She hesitantly stepped in, her eyes strangely looked away from them. "Happy Birthday Melody." Alton happily said. "Yeah, Happy Birthday to the best Huntress around." Darian said. Melody gave them a faint smile. It was the kind of expression that meant good intentions, but something was eating away at her mood. She looked towards the floor for help as the large frosting covered cake was rolled in front of her. She counted the candles with a hint of dismay, each year of her journey was represented by a flickering orange flame. They reminded her of simpler times along with the good and the bad, the comforting and the uneasiness. Most of her emotions were drained from her body and an annual empty void took root deep in her chest. The party goers' glimmering faces only made it worse. "So, do you like it?" Alton asked curiously. "You're so hard to surprise, guess a Hunter always needs to be on their toes." Darian stated confidently, but he slightly flinched. He expected some kind of reaction from Melody, but she did nothing. She stared blankly at the birthday cake with a sad frown. "Melody? You ok?" Alton asked his dazed friend. Like a switch, the supressed memories and utter despair made it's place inside the Huntress. "I...I-I'm sorry." her light apology faded into a whisper as tears began to form. She walked out of the room with her head down while everyone watched in confusion. The door accidentally slammed behind her, adding more insult to injury. She quickly picked up her pace and rounded a corner as she heard the door open behind her. Melody slipped away without leaving much of a trace, fractured tear drops fell to mark what little tracks she made. Alton and Darian raced out of the room and scanned the hall distraughtly. Their friend disappeared without even explaining herself; she might have not been one to display her emotions, but something about her strange behavior concerned them greatly. "Melody, wait! Where'd ya go?" Darian yelled after her. "Let's go after her and quick before everyone else eats the cake." Alton said. Darian nodded his head and the two rushed off around the nearest corner. The breeze welcomed her with open arms and she accepted them. The setting sun began to say it's final farewells to her as she sat on the edge of a rooftop. It was one of her favorite spots in the City, the different hours of light captured the Traveler's essence and magnified it's ancient appearance. The buildings around her began to light up beautifully on cue along with a fountain in a local park below her. Nobody notice her or the dangling pair of legs swaying back and forth, their minds were on other matters. The scene of her rude removal played back over and over like a holographic recording, much emphasis went on her first and only statement. [i]I...I-I'm sorry.[/i] She could never really explain why she dreaded this day, maybe it was all of the past ones where she celebrated alone. She had nothing back then and the fact became more apparent as she matured. Abandoned and lost, without a home or loved ones. Her young stature could do nothing but hum that blissful tune and blow out what little flame she could, her birthday wish never faltered, never changed. [i]I wish...for a happy birthday.[/i] she secretly wished, another tear dropped to the earth below. "I thought I might find you up here." an informal tone greeted her. The Warlock sat next to the Huntress, they said nothing. The setting sun was slowly becoming a wandering star, the warry moon was ready to take it's place. "Alton, please just leave me alone. I'm sorry but...I need to by myself for awhile." she reasoned. The Warlock raised a brow. "You always act like this once your birthday rolls around." "I know." "If there's something you want to talk about, you can tell us." "No Alton, I can't!" she lashed out but Alton did not stir. "I'm..I'm sorry." "Its ok. But my thoughts still stand." "I understand. It's personal Alton, I don't want you or Darian worrying about me. I'll get by." she corrected him. "Please be carful, Melody." Alton handed her a present and left her to sit by her lonesome. He stopped his casual walk, "I saved you a slice of cake." Melody looked down and sure enough, a lit candle above a slice of flavored cake rested next to her. Once she was sure Alton left, she picked up the cake and blew out the tiny flame. Her wish still remained the same as it had for so many years. The icing was her favorite, smooth and sweet. But the memories were as bittersweet as ever, and that was something that she could never stomach. ____________________________________ She was little, little and afraid. Her tiny fingers covered her mouth as she watch in horror the disgustingness that was her home. Ablaze, the houses were covered in the gripping flames. She watched as innocent men fought off devilish creatures, they would not last at this rate. Women and children scattered to meet up with each other in the frenzy that was a courtyard. In front of her were two figures that she recognized instantly as her parents. They stared back at her with frowns of grave disappointment. The Mother's sight was on something in the distance as blade impaled her in the chest. She fell right beside the frightened little girl. The creature responsible was made of a solid black mass and a dark vapor enveloped it's menacing shadow. The creature and the girl faced the man, he grimly eyed his daughter. She could only mouthed his parental title, for she was too scared to even make a noise. [i]This is all your fault.[/i] The Father spoke to his daughter one last time, his statement wounded the little girl. The creatures then stabbed the man and he collapsed right in front of her. With his last little ounce if life, he angrily turned to his daughter. [i]Melody....get ou..t. You've caused enough trouble for all of us.[/i] The little girl bawled out crying as her father kept that same resentful expression all the way to his grave. She pleaded for him to come back to her, but it was too late for him. [i]Daaaaddddyyyy![/i] ______________________________________ "Aaaugh aaaugh!" Melody woke up screaming, her breathing was erratic. She franticly looked around her dark room expecting something the monster from her dream to be standing over her but she was completely alone. She continued to calm her breathing as the images of her father's dark stare attacked her frail mental state . She couldn't take it, the tears began to flow unrestrictedly. The doorknob rattled and turned to allow dim light from the outside to trickled in. In the doorway was a distraught Alton. "I heard screaming, are you ok?" All Melody could do was nod, her ability to speak was locked away by her unconscious senses. Alton came over to her bed side and sat on the edge. He looked at her worryingly. "It was just a dream." "No, it was....a nightmare." her breathing stabilized and her mind spoke for itself. Alton got up and walked to the door. "Alton?" "Yes?" he stopped under the threshold and stared back at her. "Can you.....stay with me? Just until I fall asleep." the thought had crossed her mind but her brain disagreed. Alton stood there for a moment, both their hearts were racing. He hesitated, but he walked over to the bed. He climbed in at the edge and stretch his legs out while leaning his back up against the wall of her room. Melody hesitated as well, but choose to snuggle up against Alton. She laid her head down in his chest and listened to his soothing heartbeat. The two said nothing, the moment was amateurish for the both of them. But this was something she needed and she was grateful for her friend's acceptance. Alton resisted an urge, but he found himself slowly stroking her hair and peacefully staring at her sleeping form. She did not back away from his touch. "Thank you." she whispered. ______________________________________ His eyes opened quickly at the sound of a hard knock. Turning towards the door, Alton saw Darian standing there with a frying pan. His mischievous looks scared Alton until he realized where he was at. He was still in Melody's room, but she was nowhere to be found. He took up the whole space of her bed, his body was stretched all over the soft cot. The embarrassment flooded in which caused the Warlock to blush and quickly get to his feet. "Morning Sleeping Beauty." he said with a big grin. Alton rolled his eyes at his friend. [b]Continues Below[/b]