#onemorerollofthedice

Rayne curled up on “her” bench. This bench was positioned in the central open-air courtyard, shops and other mall-things surrounding this courtyard. Her back was to the fountain, her eyes closed, her thoughts lost in her music. She was startled from this peaceful position only when someone sat on the other end of her bench.

She looked the newcomer over. He was handsome - she’d give him that. She removed her headphones, ready to shoo him away (after all, it was her bench) when a chilly wind sent a shiver up her spine. The “cold blood” that ran in her veins dropped further in temperature, forcing her to pull her jacket tighter.

She looked at the man again. Given his stature, he looked like an excellent source of warmth. He also had a beard (it wasn’t long, just a little past scruff). That was a sure sign. He’d be her own personal heater.

The only thing holding her back was that she had no clue if he’d even allow it. He looked pretty calm, but what if he’d reject it? She’d be sad AND cold.

Another brisk wind swept through, accompanied by some mist from the fountain. That’s it, she decided, I’m going for it.

Nervously, she scooted closer. The man didn’t move. Another inch, no response. She had moved a while foot-and-a-half without any notice.

However, he did notice her. He kept his comments to himself; why discourage a girl’s bravery? Plus, her hair, black as night, was clinging to her reddened cheeks. She looked like she lived in a freezer.

He didn’t say anything to her until her shoulder pressed again his arm. “How are you doing?” He smiled gently at her, causing her to bury her face in his jacket, embarrassed.

“I’m just a bit chilled.”

They sat in silence until the sun set - neither of them had anything to do that day. The man got up to leave first. Once he was standing, he held his hand to her. “I’m Burlan.”

She took it, and he helped her stand. “Rayne.”

Burlan returned the next day, this time toting a blanket and a cup of coffee. There Rayne was, curled up. He could see now the ragged nature she held, the rough, scared look. She looked homeless.

He sat beside her, setting the cup on the ground before draping the blanket over her. He picked the coffee back up and handed it to her. “You seem like a caramel frappe kind of girl.”

Her stormy eyes lit up as she accepted the drink. He rested an arm on the top of the bench, right against her back. She sipped her coffee happily, enjoying its - and his - warmth.

A few weeks passed, and the temperatures only dropped. Burlan was able to spend all hours of light with her - his siblings’ business didn’t start until night fell. He was able to buy her a whole set of winter, bought a new one each day, until she became a ball of warmth.

One day, Burlan approached without coffee. Instead, he held a box of matches and a bundle of wood.

Rayne eyed him, curious. “What are those for?”

“I’m building a fire. It should keep you warm.” He set the wood down and struck a match. Rayne watched as the flames engulfed the wood and created a lovely scent of smoke.

She grinned, feeling herself warm up. He took his seat beside her and the two of them relaxed until the sound of shouting disturbed them. Police were coming at them. Without thinking twice, Burlan leapt up and jumped over the back of the bench, onto the rim of the fountain. Rayne followed suit, and the two of the bolted.

They raced along until they reached an alley that connected the courtyard to the parking lots. Rayne stopped and began to strip away the winter gear.

“What are you doing?!” Burlan laughed - he had far too much fun avoiding trouble like this. “They’re going to catch us!”

“No they aren’t.” With that, she slipped off the last jacket - her own. From her back two feathery wings unfurled. She grabbed Burlan around his waist before soaring up into the sky.

Burlan was dumbfounded - he had seen crazy things before while working with his siblings, but this was highly unexpected. He glanced down at the cops below - they were equally confused.

“I’ll have to memory wipe them later,” Rayne grumbled, adding a few curse words. She changed direction to fly towards the nearby woods.

Burlan decided to ask questions when they landed, in the meanwhile, he thought deeply. He had never seen Rayne arrive at or leave from the bench, so he just assumed she had home, nowhere to stay. This presumption was dispelled when they landed at the base of a tree house.

Before he could even open his mouth she was explaining everything. “I’m human, don’t worry. I was cursed at birth to have wings. I was cold because I’m always cold without my wings wrapped around me.”

“And the memory wipe?” He questioned quickly.

“Came with the wings.” She shrugged slightly. Police sirens could be heard in the distance, causing a giddy grin to spread across her face. “That was so EXCITING!”

He managed a smile. “Why sit there all day, all alone?”

“Because,” was her quick, childish reply. She decided to elaborate. “It gets really lonely out here, so I go there occasionally to see others. You made me come back daily.”

Without warning, she leaned up on her toes and kissed him. It was just a simple peck, nothing more, but it caught him off guard.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, seeing the shock. “Is that not what you do when you like someone?”