Phoenix Reborn

an/M

pite my revolts, I forced myself to stand up from the wet ground and flinched when a piercing pain shot through my head. Recollections were a disorganized chaos, shards of pictures and feelings that

and combined with the mud lying beneath me. However, it was accompanied by a deep shiver that seemed to penetrate my vitality and recede into m

got company," I muttered to myself; the words were more as a consolation than an awareness. My senses became more acute, and I was able to

yet there was something about her that spoke of strength beyond her years. I was startled when we lock

Her steps were light, almost floating across the muddy ground as if the earth itself dared not to

rain. It had a constant, calming melody to it, similar to the soft lap of waves

s if my voice and my warmth had been taken away by the cold. All I could do was look at her, hoping that perhaps

r hands gentle as she inspected the wound on my head. The touch of her fingers was warm, sending a wave of

o prevent the brunt of the cold. I felt the warmth of the fabric soothing my body from the chills, but what re

the cold that had seized me. Not content to cease operations there, Mira hurried over to a nearby creek and came back holding a small vessel containing

g an unmistakable sense of w

nd slightly painful. "It is better," I mut

t like I was not saying enough, but in my fee

y own feelings of anxiety and unease. But again, her expression was unreadable as she just nodded. "Now i

dded. "All right," I muttered

belied her amazing strength, but she carried my weight effortlessly as she led me through the woodland. Even t

ger shadows. However, the sky continued to seem to glow with a soft, golden light

we strolled in solitude. The fragrance of earth and rain filled the air-a rich, loamy smell that was strangely comfortable.

el protected, in spite of the hurt and the uncertainty, the darkness all around us. Her pre

rustle of the leaves gave the impression that the forest was alive and full of vitality. I could not get rid

serving as a constant reminder of how precarious my circumstances were. My mind wandered, the ache in my brain lessening

st cottage with robust yet worn walls stood in the middle, with smoke flowing out from the chimney in lazy spiral

ured quietly, a hint of sorrow in her vo

n came out. He assessed my situation with piercing, analytical eyes, yet they still had a manly warmth about them. The elder seems to hav

yet forceful tone. "He is woun

ed out to me, his presence softening. "Ch

rich and resonant voice. I was glad to see the fire crackling in the hea

moke filling the air. Mira's father led me to a chair by the fi

the salve he applied sent a sharp pain through my skull. B

n and sympathetic glance left a deeper impression on me than I had anticipated. I looked into her eyes, and for

sier to say now. "Had you not found me

curve of her lips. "You don't ne

ot abandon

with a bandage, her father moved b

ne reassuring. "Just need to rest

the coziness of the cabin, and the calming presence of Mira and her father. My eyes grew heavy, and I ex

t conveyed a thousand words. Something was there, something I could not quite put into

fter that. My final thinking w