Chapter 11 – I Hate You! But I Can't Watch You Get Hurt

~ MELONIE ~ We all froze, and everyone seemed lost in their own agony. “Should we all be saying our last prayers?” Clara asked out of nowhere, with a bitter face. Arlo also looked devastated. “Melonie, do something.” “What exactly can I do? Jump in front of those things and get snapped in two? Gosh, you all never loved me,” I retorted firmly. My gaze fell on Arwan. Although everyone was scared, he seemed to be deep in thought, trying to come up with a solution. “I'll lead them away from the building,” Arwan blurted out. “That's ridiculous,” I spat back, “No, Arwan. That's a terrible idea! You can't do that.” “I have less of a choice right now,” he defended, “That door will not hold, a lot of people will die. Our realm will be wiped and emptied, never to be remembered.” “THOSE DEADLY THINGS WILL KILL YOU!” I yelled out in panic, “They are not one or two; there are a lot out there, waiting to tear us apart like over-boiled chickens.” Arwan took steps closer to me, “I know Melonie, but I'm not one to back down from things when they get scary.” A sad, soured smile appeared on my face. “It's not your duty to die.” “It's my duty to protect the living in this realm, young and old,” he grumbled, “Even if it means I die.” Arwan walked past me and ran towards the back door. “You guys do something and stop him right now,” I barked at Arlo and Clara. Clara looked at me, shook her head and just left, while Arlo stood there, staring at me in pity. “He feels responsible, Melonie,” Arlo explained. “He's doing what he has to do.” I took a deep breath, laughing sarcastically, “You all are just…” I paused, attacking Arlo, Clara, or someone else felt less important, all that replayed in my head was stuck at “Arwan is in trouble” I hauled behind him, scared to fight but even more scared to lose him, even though I didn't know why. Why should he put someone else before himself? He knew he'd die, and yet he chose to be sacrificed like a cork… idiot! Arwan screamed at the top of his voice, grasping the attention of the dark walkers. I froze, lurking in the shadows like a pathetic domestic animal hiding from predators, like a rat hiding from a cat. Arwan stood there boldly as the dark walkers left the front door, running towards him in satisfaction. I couldn't move, I was scared to breathe and get caught, I just stood there, horrified. He didn't stop, he kept on screaming until he was certain they were all launching at him, and he was right, the entire relatives and extended families of the available dark walkers were launching at him. I bit my lips, “Run Arwan,” I murmured, breathing heavily. With a strike, a dark walker threw him to the ground and he coughed out blood, wrapping himself in pain. The rest launched forward to strike. My veins popped out, I was just an ordinary girl, living my tragic life trying to understand my abilities. But all of that changed the moment I saw Arwan almost killed by dark walkers. At first, I just stood there, frozen in fear. But as I watched him sacrifice himself, something inside of me snapped. I felt a surge of adrenaline and a sudden, intense desire to protect him. As I stepped forward, I felt a strange, tingling sensation in my body. It was as if my cells were shifting and rearranging themselves, granting me full control over my abilities. My senses became heightened, and I could feel the energy coursing through my veins. The next thing I knew, I was standing in front of him, my fists clenched and my eyes blazing with a fierce determination. I heard his voice from behind me, “Melonie, I told you not to come.” The overwhelming urge to shield him from harm stood tall, my hands burned in flames, and slowly, it extended to my entire body, I was covered with fire. My face elongated into a snout, my ears pointed and my eyes turned yellow. I felt my mind clouding, my thoughts growing more primal and instinctual. I was no longer Melonie, I was a dragon wolf, a creature of the night and the day. Driven by my instincts and desires. I let out a mighty roar as I launched at the dark walkers fearlessly, they stepped back in fear, feeling the power and freedom of my new form. I burnt the first one down, but it only got even more exciting. I launched towards the second one and did the same, the rest backed down, running away cowardly. I followed, stumbling forward, but my legs trembled beneath me. Every step felt like a monumental effort, as if I was wading through quicksand. My arms hung limply at my sides; my fists clenched in a futile attempt to summon the strength I no longer possessed. I had given it my all, pouring every last ounce of energy into the task at hand. As I took another step, my knees buckled beneath me. I felt myself falling, my body was weightless and unresponsive. I hit the ground hard, my body crashing onto the cold, unforgiving surface. I lay there, unable to move, unable to even lift my head. My vision began to blur, and my eyelids grew heavy. I felt myself being pulled down, down into a deep, dark abyss. As the darkness closed in around me, I knew I was done. Finished. I had nothing left to give. I was spent, exhausted, and utterly defeated. Arwan ran towards me, wrapping his arms around me, and pulling me close to himself. “The dark walkers,” I muttered, “Are they gone?” He stared at me warmly, “Yes,” he whispered, “You chased them away." It was as if he had become a shield, a protective barrier between me and my weakness. I could feel his heart beating against my chest, and I knew he would do anything to keep me safe. As I lay there, locked in his tight embrace, “Melonie, I just ignited your powers, you completely transformed,” his voice rang out. “Are you sure you hate me as much as you claim?” A smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I took a slow, calm breath, and with a low tone, I whispered close to his ear, “Perhaps.” And with that, I blacked out.