By Angelika Babicz

I remember it all. I remember our story from its beginning and to its end. And up to now. But do you remember? Do you remember when we were kids that…

I squint as I lift my hand to the light, mesmerized as the setting sun’s rays shine through my spread fingers. I look down as a soft breeze whispers through the grass and caresses my skin, reminding me of my mother’s gentle touch. I sigh and close my eyes at the memory, as a small smile graces my lips. A single tear manages to escape at the thought of her, and I quickly wipe it away, leaving no evidence of its existence. 

My mother and father are no longer here. The war killed them.

My eyes snap open and I’m pulled from my thoughts as I hear rustling coming from the grapevines’ tangled branches. I creep toward the sound on light feet, as quiet as the swaying leaves. I hold my breath with anticipation as I face the culprit hiding beneath thick bramble. I take hold of the vines and on the count of three, rip them apart, revealing my prey.

“Aha! I found you!”

My unrivaled seeking skills are rewarded as my dear friend shrieks in surprise. I double over and cackle with laughter at her reaction. She quickly regains her footing and playfully shoves me in response, fighting a smile of her own. 

“Hey! It’s not my fault you’re bad at hiding!” I manage between breaths.

Her cheeks flush with embarrassment. “No, but you didn’t have to scare me like that! I thought you were one of the soldiers out to kill me!” She throws her arms up in the air, with an incredulous expression. 

I smirk and tease her a bit more. “Well, at least you now have practice if real soldiers ever come. That is, practice screaming like a little baby.” 

Her face is serious, but her eyes hold a mischievous glint to them, giving away her next move. I stick my tongue out at her before I bolt through the rows of grapevines, anticipating her reaction. I hear her as she takes off running after me and calls my name in warning. I continue sprinting toward the river and reach out my hands to grab the plump grapes from their vines along the way. I pop one in my mouth and internally moan as I taste its sweet and juicy delicacy. I savor its flavor and this feeling of freedom. I am drunk with joy and consumed by utter ecstasy, and I tip my head back to soak it all in. Its then that I notice the sun has descended, and see too late a shadow at the foot of my heals. 

I’m quickly tackled from behind and we both tumble unto the grass. With surprising strength that has no right to belong to a girl, she pins a boy like me down. I squirm under her iron grip, but she does not budge.

“Let me go!” I emphasize my protest by attempting to kick her off.

“Hmm fine, but only on one condition.” I stare at her smug face, waiting for her terms. “Give me all your grapes.”

I let out an annoyed huff before I grumble “Deal.” She triumphantly smiles and finally loosens her grip on my wrists. I climb out from under her, stand, and watch as she outstretches her arm in anticipation. I begrudgingly hand her my prized possessions and her fingers are quick to seize them. She stares greedily, as if they are precious jewels and her grin is nothing short of devious. We laugh as our eyes lock, and twin smiles bloom across our faces before I tug on her arm, leading the way.

We begin walking the rest of the path to the river and settle down along its bank and its surrounding gardens that are nursed by the stream. We sit next to each other in comfortable silence as she munches on my grapes. I gaze upon the water, captivated by the moon’s reflection. A nearby fish nips at the surface creating ripples that disrupt the crystal-clear waters, warping the moon’s image. I sigh and lay down on the grass, staring at the stars that twinkle in the night sky and listening to the stream’s trickle. It’s all so peaceful and lovely that my heart is full to the brim with content. As time continues to pass, my eyelids begin to droop and the stars above me blur.

“Have you ever heard the story of the Pleiades?” I startle as her sleepy voice comes from beside me. I didn’t even notice that she lay next to me until now. 

I shake my head before I realize she can’t see me. “No.”

I can hear the smile in her voice as she replies “It’s an ancient Greek myth. I’ll share it with you.” She clears her throat for dramatic effect. “Once upon a time Atlas, a Titan, was forced to hold the sky for eternity. He had seven beautiful daughters but was unable to protect them. Zeus, the King of Gods, turned them into stars, so their father may watch over them. Now they rest in our sky, the brightest blue constellation there is.” She turns to face me. “I like to think they’re watching over us during our times of war. I find comfort in their everlasting presence and count on them to always shine for me… us.”

I blush before I mull over her words, and guilt settles in the pit of my stomach in realization. Does she not feel safe? Is she scared? How can I make her happy? “I’ll protect you.” And I truly mean it. I would do anything for her. I turn to my side and stare into her eyes. “I’ll be the first one next to you when you need someone, and I’ll be the last to leave your side. Forever and ever.” Her eyes sparkle in the moon’s light.

“Do you promise?” She hesitantly holds out her pinky. 

“I promise.” I confidently interlock mine with hers. 

We lay down once again but this time, she points out and names the stars within the Pleiades constellation and tells of the sisters’ stories. Time slips away as my eyelids grow heavy, and I drift off into a peaceful sleep as I listen to her soothing voice.

I awake and am instantly alert as I hear shouting in the distance. Cries and screams. Blood-curdling, heart-wrenching screams. There can only be one explanation. I turn and look in the direction of our village and the sight causes dread to coil down my spine. I rush over to my dearest friend’s side and shake her. “Wake up! Now! We must go, they’re here!” She stirs and cracks open an eye, squinting in the bright sun, confusion etched into her features. I waste no time, I grab her arm and pull her to escape, urging her to be faster. 

“What’s going on? What’s happening?” Her face morphs into one of fear. Her eyes are wide as she scans our beloved home of Zahla. She must have noticed their sobs of grief because she quickens her pace, grapes trailing our path as they fall from her pockets. The war has reached Zahla. Our people are being hunted, harassed and killed. Mothers and their children are trying to flee. The fathers hold their ground, buying time for their families to escape. It is hell on Earth. All the devils are here.

We make it as far as the river’s edge before we are caught by two men who hold weapons and wear white garments stained with blood: soldiers. We freeze, the river to our backs and the men to our front, with nowhere to turn and nowhere to run. My shaking hand reaches for her trembling one, grounding us. One of the men stalks closer, squashing grapes in the process, like a predator assessing its prey. I step in front of her, shielding her from his wolfish gaze. She squeezes my hand as if to reassure me of her presence. Together, her gesture seems to say. I squeeze her hand back. Together. 

“Do not be afraid” he taunts, “We’re Angels sent from heaven, here to bring you home.”

With my eyes focusing on the man walking towards her, I stumble as the other one pulls me aside, catching me off guard. I freeze with fear as the first man grabs her and holds a knife to her throat, its sharp edge brushing against her delicate skin. Her terrified gaze flies to mine and my scream gets caught in my throat as he drags the blade across. She falls to the ground, her wound bleeding innocence. They sacrificed her like the slaughtering of a lamb. My knees give out and I collapse to the grass, silent tears streaming down my face. I stare at her dead body and the blood pooling around her intertwining with the grapes’ juices. Its sweet nectar seems to soak up her blood, as if seeking repayment for all our feasting. As if seeking to steal our smiles. 

I remain still as the man who dragged me away plunges a knife into my heart. My burning body drops, and my heavy head hits the ground. I look down at the knife protruding from my chest, my wound bleeding sadness. They murdered me like war’s collateral, but am I not human? Am I not but just a child? I feel my essence slipping away, yet I can’t resist looking at her one last time. And maybe it was just the morning sun or maybe it was just my foolish faith, but in that moment, the two men who stand over her really do look like Angels.

Two beautiful Angels of Death. 

In the darkness, two souls twirl and dance through “the highest and lowest” (Matran, line 10). Through the “replenishing Heaven” and the river of Zahla (Matran, line 9). To the skies and beyond, happily laughing and playing as children do. And when they tire, they come to rest at the Pleiades, where legend says two new stars shine, brighter than all the others combined.

…we were happy?

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featured image graphic by emily stephens