Chapter 14: When the Sky Crumbles

DANICA

I stared at him, waiting for him to elaborate, but he remained silent.

“What does that mean? Are you speaking in metaphors about humans discovering our world?”

“No, it’s quite literal,” he replied, offering no further explanation.

“How can the sky be falling?” I raised my voice slightly, drawing the attention of those around us. They quickly returned to their own conversations, their intense stares likely due to our newcomer status.

My guardian leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a whisper. “Mythical creatures live under a sky that shields us from human eyes. Werewolves, for instance, have packs in the forest, and that’s why no human has ever stumbled upon one. Our world has a protective sky, but lately, more and more humans are finding these hidden places. No one knows why it’s happening. I’ve volunteered to help maintain our shield,” he explained.

“And what happens if they all discover our world?” I asked.

“War. And it won’t favor the humans,” he replied.

Just then, Creed took the stage again, silencing the room.

He gestured for a man to join him on stage. I could tell he wasn’t a local, he was younger than Creed but still over thirty.

“Jackson here has witnessed some strange occurrences in the forest. Why don’t you share your story,” Creed suggested.

“I decided to take a day off and go hiking. Naturally, I brought my camera, knowing the rumors about the forest.” He handed out some photos, which were passed around the room. “We all know there are wolves in these woods, but the ones in these pictures are different. They’re larger, and their fangs could easily break human bones. These aren’t ordinary wolves.”

As he spoke, the picture reached us. It showed a wolf, saliva dripping from its fangs, its eyes glowing red in the camera flash. It was muscular, not like a regular wolf. It was a werewolf, I was certain. The memory of my encounter with one sent a chill down my spine.

“What do you plan to do with this information?” my guardian asked, startling Jackson. “I’m sure the town authorities will dismiss it as a mutated animal,” he added.

Jackson eyed him suspiciously. “Why are you here? How do we know you’re not here to expose our theories?” he asked, referring to the online rumors that attendees of these meetings were unhinged.

“I’m just trying to understand your plan,” my guardian replied confidently. “I can assure you, I’ve also seen something…paranormal in the forest,” he said, smirking as if it was an everyday occurrence for him. Being among humans seemed more unusual to him.

“Like what?” Jackson asked, still suspicious.

To my surprise, my guardian turned to me, drawing everyone’s attention. “Danica was attacked by a wolf,” he said, smirking at me.

“You were?” Creed interjected, looking both shocked and intrigued.

“I’m sure Danica would like to see them all gone. This isn’t a place for creatures like that,” my guardian said, his tone bitter. “Right?” he asked me.

He never expressed his disappointment in my choice of life, but I knew he resented my lack of appreciation for his world, for my nymph side. But I didn’t know that part of me. I never asked for it.

“What happened?” Creed asked me.

I cleared my throat. “I don’t really want to talk about it…it was traumatizing,” I lied, hoping they would drop the subject. “But… I was in the forest and it looked similar to the one in Jackson’s picture,” I added.

After that, Jackson continued his story, speculating about what he saw, occasionally mentioning werewolves, though I doubted he truly believed in them.

My guardian, standing by my side, was all ears to their conversation, interjecting every now and then to clarify their knowledge. It seemed they were convinced that mythical creatures existed and were hell-bent on finding them.

The meeting wrapped up two hours later, and we were cordially invited to attend daily at eight in the evening. I was unsure if I wanted to come back. I was torn—I didn’t want to be part of this world, but the thought of humans discovering another realm was unsettling.

If this was so crucial to my guardian, I had to lend a hand, didn’t I? I never asked for his protection, but he wasn’t my foe. He was passionate about this, and since he was always around, I couldn’t just disregard his interests.

We had just stepped out of Creed’s house. “What’s your plan regarding their knowledge?” I asked my guardian.

“They’re clueless,” he dismissed nonchalantly.

“But they have that picture, they’re suspicious, and what about that werewolf?” I pressed. “Are you just going to let them figure it out?”

“I told you, they’re in the dark. But if they persist, they might start connecting the dots. I won’t let this slide,” he assured. “But right now, there’s nothing to fret over. For someone who wants no part in this world, you seem pretty concerned,” he noted, his voice revealing his trademark smirk.

“I’m just aware of my surroundings, especially since I can’t avoid your presence,” I retorted.

“Sure,” he responded, his tone hinting at disappointment.

I cleared my throat. “That…sky falling phenomenon, has it been happening for a while?” I inquired.

“It didn’t happen overnight, but it’s been noticeable for a few months. It’s getting worse, and no one knows how to halt it,” he explained.

“Okay, but don’t you have some sort of spells or rituals or something?” I probed.

He studied me for a moment. “That’s not how it works,” he clarified. “We don’t have a spell for every problem. It would simplify many things, and complicate many others if we did. But I believe there’s a solution,” he added.

“So, what’s the plan to…preserve the sky?” I asked, unsure of my phrasing.

“Just wait for someone capable of helping to show up,” he replied, his voice devoid of emotion. This meant they were clueless about what to do and had no plan whatsoever.

“Are you sure you despise this world? You wouldn’t be asking so many questions if you did,” he pointed out, a smirk playing on his lips.

“It’s not that I despise it, I just don’t belong there,” I reiterated my usual response. I could tell he wanted to retort, but he held his tongue.

We strolled back in companionable silence, the warm breeze caressing us. It was another lovely evening.

My guardian escorted me to my door, and I retired for the night as the stars twinkled overhead. My heart was restless, yearning for something. I wasn’t sure what it was, but my fears led me to believe that my heart was longing for the stars.

I secured my wrist with a chain to prevent my sleepwalking from leading me astray. Sleep eluded me. I tossed and turned, seeking comfort, but to no avail.

After a while, I noticed cold sweat forming on my skin. It was strange, but I shrugged it off as flu season. I unchained my wrist and headed to the kitchen to fetch the first aid kit and some medicine to nip the flu in the bud.

I was a bit chilly, but I was dressed in shorts, a regular t-shirt, and a light cardigan. I reached for the medicine box, clumsily dropping it on the floor. I sighed, picked up the scattered items, and selected a pill, hoping it would alleviate my discomfort until morning.

I poured myself a glass of water and returned to my room. As I strolled past a window, my gaze inadvertently drifted outside. The night sky captured my attention, even coaxing a small smile from me.

The view was breathtaking. Suddenly, the glass of water I was holding slipped from my grasp, shattering on the floor. The pill I had been clutching fell from my open hand, landing amidst the shards.

The sound of breaking glass didn’t even startle me. I was too preoccupied with the strange sensation in my hands, a tingling that felt like electricity coursing through my bones. ~How odd~, I thought.

The room was dimly lit, allowing me to see my reflection in the window. The same moon from the previous night was etched on my forehead. Tiny stars surrounded my eyes and a glow of stardust was woven into my hair.

I touched my face, realizing that these markings weren’t just drawings—they were like intricate embroidery on my skin. I wasn’t ill. I was yearning for something essential.

My elemental, a part of me that I had been trying to suppress. I attempted to ignore the urge to go outside, taking a deep breath. Leaving the broken glass behind, I started to head back to my room, only to find Ms. Moore blocking my path.

“Ms. Moore,” I said, surprised to see her. It was her house, but her appearance startled me. She looked so vibrant, more alive than I had ever seen her during the day.

“Danica, you look beautiful,” she said, her voice sweet. But there was something she was holding back, a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

“But you also look troubled…like a nymph deprived of her element,” she said, shaking her head disapprovingly. “I understand how you feel, more than anyone else could. But I would never deny myself of it,” she added, reminding me that she too was a celestial nymph.

“It won’t get easier until you learn to control it. If only you had been told from a young age, you would be much happier now. I took you under my wing because I believed that we could someday be equals. But that won’t happen until you accept and love who you are.”

She walked over to the door leading outside and flung it open. The urge within me intensified.

“We, celestial nymphs, are strongest at night when the moon is closest. Let yourself feel, Danica. Breathe for the first time,” she urged.

I moved closer to the open door. My lips parted slowly.

“Where do I go?” I asked, and her smile widened.

“Let your soul guide you. You won’t get lost if you follow what feels right,” she said, handing me the star necklace I had left on my bedside table. “Silver from the moon helps at first,” she added gently.

I wanted to go outside, I really did, but… “I’m scared,” I admitted, my voice trembling.

She pulled me into a comforting hug and kissed my forehead. “Just try,” she encouraged.

And so, I ran out the door, following the pull of my heart. A part of me belonged to this exhilarating rush…