Childhood Memories

(Gabriel’s p.o.v)

It’s been a few hours since I woke up. I had a bandage wrapped around my chest and back from before. Healing magic appeared to be used on me, but only enough to save my life. I guess she wasn’t kidding about not wanting my death.

I thought back about what she said. Is Faith really dead?

I remember the first day I met her, it was at the market square near the Queen’s castle. I and Titus were running errands for mom and dad. If I remember correctly, I was eight while he was fifteen. He had just sat me down on the base of a silver fountain. Titus was recently enlisted as a soldier in training at the time. He made everyone in the family proud of him.

(flashback)

“Gabe, I have to do something real quick. You stay here.” my brother said nonchalantly with his arms behind his head.

I twiddled my fingers, “Do I have to?? You know I don’t like to be alone….”

He smiled before ruffling my hair, “You’ll be fine! You’re an Emmitt after all!”

I could not help but let lose a small bout of laughter. This always cheered me up in times of need.

He suddenly stopped. I looked up at him as he had a serious expression on. I was about to ask what was wrong when he answers for me.

“How’s your flying going?”

I stopped dead in my tracks. Looking down, I couldn’t let him see the shame on my face.

I replied, “I-I still haven’t been able to….”

He sighed, “Gabe, you need to learn how to fly or you’ll never be deemed a worthy angel of anything. In fact, I was a lot younger than you when I had my first flight.”

Remaining quiet, I just looked down at my hands.

“I have to go now. I’ll promise to be quick.”

After that, my brother left me In deep thought, ‘What if I never fly? What If mom and dad will never see me the same way as big brother?’

That’s when a strange girl about my age came up to me. She had small golden wings and her hair was a light blonde. Looking into her eyes, I noticed it matched her wings. She was a true angel.

“Hello? Are you okay?” she waved her hand in front of my face.

I snapped out of it, “Y-Yeah….”

She smiled before grabbing my arm, “C’mon, let’s go play!”

“I-I can’t…..”

The girl didn’t listen, instead, she started to drag me away from the fountain, “WAIT! I CAN’T LEAVE! MY BROTHER-!?”

“Don’t worry, I know he won’t mind! By the way, my name is Faith!” the strange girl giggled.

I attempted to pull away but she was way stronger than I was, “H-Hey! Are you even listening?!”

“What do you wanna play? Hmmmmm, I know! We should fly together!”

“I-I can’t fly!”

“You have wings don’t you?”

I hesitantly replied, “Y-Yeah……”

She beamed, “Then I’ll teach you!”

My eyes widened at that as she dragged me outside the market square and into the forest. I was super worried about my brother. What would he do if he found out I had left the fountain to play with a girl I had never met before? Not only that but, what would my parents do? There was sure gonna be a big punishment coming my way. I NEED to get back to that fountain!

Soon we can to a long cliffside. I looked down and gulped. That was a long way down….

Faith suddenly spouted, “Remember to flap your wings, or you're going to be as flat as a dime!”

I gasped as she pushed me down the cliff. I closed my eyes, flapping my wings as fast as I could. My heart was pounding!

Swish!

When I didn’t hit the ground, my eyes opened to see that I was a foot above the cliff in midair.

            Faith had her thumbs up, “I rate that ten out of ten! Great job on your first flight!”

            I couldn’t help but let out a relieved laugh. My first flight. I thought I’d never see it. Forgetting everything about me leaving the fountain, I decided that faith may be strange but she is one of the greatest angels I’ve ever known.

            “C’mon, what are you waiting for? Let’s play air tag!” this time I beamed at her.

            She smiled before flapping her wings, “Alright, but I won’t go easy on you!”

            Soon the day was almost over as we played and flew from that late morning to late afternoon. We had so much fun! We never thought it would end. She actually taught me some flying tricks too! I can now do a triple flip! However, it makes me dizzy….

After a while, me and faith decided to take a quick rest on a tree branch.

            “You know I’ve never had a friend before…” she stated.

            “Really? I thought a lot of people would want to be your friend. Your amazing!”

            She sighed, “it’s a little more complicated than that… but I’m glad we could play together….”

            I smirked, “Then why don’t we play again someday?”

            “R-Really??”

            I nodded.

            We shook hands on it. It was a promise.

            “Oh, right! My name is Gabe-!?”

            “Gabriel!”

            “Gabe!”

            My eyes widened, that was Titus and dad! Oh no…. I’m in for it now…

            Not sure what to do I turned to faith who had the same reaction.

“Is that formal Caption Joe Emmitt from the royal guard? Is he your dad?” she whispered.

“How do you know his name?”

“Uhhh….”

That’s when they were below us, we could hear the conversation going on.

“Where is he?! He’s going to get it-!” Titus was becoming restless.

Dad placed his hand on big brother’s shoulder, “Calm down, son. Knowing him it isn’t his fault; he is such a shy boy after all. I am sure there is an explanation.”

“Yeah, your right…”

Not sure what to do, I fiddled with my shoe and it fell off.

It hit Titus on the head, “Ouch! What the-!?”

He locked eyes with me before staring at faith.

“What is it?” our dad asked before looking up also.

There was an eerie silence before dad spoke up, “So that’s where you’ve been, how did you get up there?”

Titus snorted, “are you stuck there?”

Dad whacked him on top of the head, “That’s enough! Show some respect, that girl is Princess Faith of the light!”

Titus’s eyes widened.

I nearly fell out of the tree.

He then spoke softly, “My princess, would you like me to escort you home? I’m sure a lot of people are looking for you.”

She sighed before landing on the ground, “Like I have a choice…”

Dad locked eyes with me before offering, “Actually…. I can pull some strings here…. Since I am the formal royal caption, would you like to join us for dinner tonight? It’s getting late as it is, I’m sure I can write a letter to your mother that I’ll return you in the morning. My house is closer after all.”

Faith smiled gratefully, “I would like that.”

‘She’s staying with us for the night!’ I flapped my wings excitedly as they lifted me up into the air.

“your flying? YOUR FLYING!” Father shouted excitedly.

My brother’s mouth was agape, “W-When did you learn to do that?”

Faith beamed with pride, “I taught him.”

“Yeah, by pushing me off a cliff.” I snorted.

Landing, my father gave me a big hug and said, “I’ll let this incident slide, I’m so proud of you!”

He then let go of me and shouted, “Let’s go celebrate!”

Soon all four of them flew off towards the house, where my mother was sure in for a surprise.