The last black blood

Chapter 4- Teenage Aurora

*Fast forward to Aurora at 17*

“ Arga yes, I’m pretty sure I’m capable of staying one night alone,” Aurora said, her orange eyes sparkled as the flames lit up from outside the fire they sat around. “ I’ll go back inside and lock the doors, nothing will happen.” 

Arga shifted uncomfortably, before turning to look at Hartharga who only gave her a reassuring nod.

“ I mean, you guys haven’t had time to yourselves ever since I was born! You become parents at a young age, so run along and be the lovers you are. You won’t find our home burnt down, I promise.” Aurora said, curling her hair around her finger before slouching.

“ Arga, she’ll be fine,” Hartharga said, brushing her shoulder gently.

Aurora looked at them, with a little smile. For as long as she could remember she felt prisoner because of the men hunting her, sent by her father.

She watched her sister Arga in denial of the love she had for Hartharga because she had been afraid, afraid of boys and men. She ended up brushing it aside, as he brought them in when they had no one and gave them a home.

They kissed a peck before looking at each other with eyes of love.

“ Okay, I’m going to uh... prepare something...” Aurora said, standing up to go back inside. 

Peeking through the window, she watched them for a while as they had a conversation before sitting on the bed and putting her feet up. She found her mind drifting, inhaling and exhaling slowly.

“ Rora.” Her sisters' voice called out, she opened her eyes and sat up.

“ Hartharga and I are leaving right now, will you be okay on your own, just for a few days?” She said, awkwardly brushing her hair.

Aurora stood up and went to give her sister a long, reassuring hug.

“ Yes Arga, I will be here upon your return. Do enjoy yourself, my love.” She gave her sister a gentle kiss on her forehead before pulling away. She watched Arga’s eyes tear up, she was certainly the dramatic one between the two of them.

Leaning in to give her a long hug too, “ God I love you, Rora.” She said, pulling her in for a tight squeeze, “ you be good.” She added on, turning around.

She watched them pack their little suitcases, in her head she was already thinking about what could she possibly get up to, all alone... it was her first time alone, what was independence like?!

“ Keep safe my precious.” Her sister said, giving her a forehead kiss. Hartharga too, they had formed a strong bond. He was like a brother and a father to her, one that allowed Arga to give her a little bit of freedom.

They left and the little cottage suddenly becomes cold, and lonely. She was all alone, she sat awkwardly on the bed, looking around. Tucking in her hands between her thighs.

She walked over to the window, looking outside, not much to see as it was dark but she suddenly had the urge to leave, walk a little and come right back. It wouldn’t be a big issue, Arga and Hartharga wouldn’t even know.

She put on her sandals and her favorite dress. It was a silky red dress that Hartharga had gotten for her. Her long black hair tucked inside as she moved it aside—long, black and lustrous. It dangled on the side of her shoulder.

She walked over to a little mirror and looked at herself. Her orange eyes always stood out before anything, it would be the first thing she noticed. Then she’d scan her whole face, her thick shaped eyebrows, the baby hair that curled along the edges of her face. Her shaped nose, still had that little button shape her sister loved so dearly, her pink plump lips which complimented all the features on her face. Her skin smooth, she was an undeniable beauty.

“ Rora, are you doing this?” She arched an eyebrow, talking to herself in the mirror.

“ Yes, we’re doing it. It’ll be great! I think...” she pushed her hair back, and smiled. “ What’s the worst that could happen?”

She turned around and headed for the door, tried to open it but it was locked. It could only be Arga. She then went over the window and pushed it opened before tossing her body out. She landed straight on her back,

“ Ouch!” She cried out before brushing the leaves and sand off of her. She stood up and slightly pushed the window before walking off.

Inhaling and exhaling the air, it felt different the more she walked. Turning back to look at their little cottage, she swallowed hard. She turned back towards it— and stopped.

“Just go already!” She told herself before turning back on her little adventure.

The sky was dark, with stars so bright they lit up the land. The trees were silent, even though there was a slight wind. The crickets sang their nightly tunes, fireflies surrounded her, such beauty. She was fascinated, this was the furthest she’d ever been away from the cottage.

She walked further and further into the woods, brushing her fingertips along everything.

Just then, she heard voices. It could’ve been nothing but she couldn’t risk it. She ran and hid behind a bush,

“ That’s incredible!” A deep voice said as they passed right by her. She shifted, causing the two men to stop,

“ What’s that sound?” The one asked.

She backed away slowly, not realizing that she was right by a hill. She went tumbling down, her body rolling endlessly before landing right on her face.

“ Are you okay?” A gentle tone asked, she looked up slowly at this dark figure which stood Infront of her. He reached down and pulled her up, she took his hand and stood up. Her heart hammering in her chest, she didn’t know what to make of this situation.

“ Ah, ye-yes...” she answered while dusting herself.

“ You should go back home, it isn’t safe in these woods too late. Wolves, snakes, you name it.” The guy said.

“ Okay...” she said, looking around. She was completely clueless as to where home was from here. She blinked, trying to keep her composure but she felt her whole body sinking. 

“ Home...” she said, “ home home home...” she turned and looked at the stranger, she couldn’t tell what he was doing. They were both quiet for a while.

“ I don’t know the way home...” she finally said.

“ You don’t have a home?” He asked her, rather confused.

“ I do but I don’t remember the way back.” She said, her voice shaky.

“ Okay, well if you aren’t afraid we can go back together to my home. First thing tomorrow we can return to your home? I think it’ll be easier to find then, yes?”

She was hesitant, but she had no idea how she’d get back home.

“ Okay...” she replied.

He turned around and started walking off, she followed closely behind him in silence.

Eventually, they reached his little cottage too, bigger than there’s. He opened the door for her, she entered first and looked around before turning to look at him.

He took off his hoodie, he was extremely handsome, more than Hartharga as that was the only man she could compare him to. He looked much younger, very young.

He opened his eyes wide, before relaxing his face again, “ your eyes...” he said.

Aurora looked away, but he moved slightly closer.

“ Those are the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen.” He whispered out. She turned to face him, scanning him before smiling slightly.