Determinant -Guardians of Vesturon [3] by A.M. Hargrove

across her—shock, denial, horror, self-pity, and sorrow. She hung limply in my arms, refusing to give me any quarter.
    Fine, I thought. Have it your way.
    Knowing my next actions would be construed as childish, I did it anyway. I used my Power of Speed to carry her home, all the while knowing she would hate me even more for it. I wasn’t one to do this type of thing...my brothers, yes, but not me. I did not care at the time, but I knew I would pay for it later.
    I did not stop until I reached her room, where I dumped her on the bed. Her eyes were still widened and I blurted out, “For the love of the Deity, will you cease staring at me like that? You should realize by now I have no intentions of harming you. In fact, it is quite the opposite. If I wanted to hurt you, I would have left you to die in the bloody forest!”
    “I wished you had,” she spat.
    Her comment stupefied me. Why would anyone want to die? I would puzzle over that for days. Not having anything else to say, I turned and left.
    *****
    The human patient was improving, with Zanna’s constant fussing over her and feeding her all sorts of delectables. She still held me in great disdain, and I honestly could not blame her. My contact with her was minimal, as it seemed to cause her such distress.
    Late one afternoon, Zanna had set January up on the back terrace. She was resting on one of the couches, with a blanket around her legs, sipping on what appeared to be a cup of tea. I observed her as she sat there. No one should have the right to look so lovely! What had happened to this female to make her so soured on life?
    I vacillated joining her. My stomach clenched in anxiety as I thought about her rejection. I wanted so badly for us to have a simple conversation. She had occupied my thoughts continually but I felt the twinges of fear inch their way along my spine. What if she doesn’t want me there?
    Before I could lose my nerve, I joined her. Gazing over the splendor of the mountains, I quietly said, “It is magnificent, is it not?”
    “It is,” she murmured lifelessly.
    “Are you comfortable?”
    “Yes. Zanna’s spoiled me. She’s perfect. I’ve never...er, never mind.”
    “What?”
    “Nothing. She’s just great is all.”
    I nodded. Not wanting to spoil the mood, I gazed into her eyes, and smiled. Please…please just one smile.
    The corners of her mouth began to curve, but then stopped.
    “Why did you bring me here?” Her question startled me for she had not been very willing to converse with me.
    “To save you of course. There was no other option since you were contagious. You would have died had I not.” I was satisfied with that answer and so proud of it. I should have had a clue that things would turn disagreeable.
    “What made you think I wanted to be saved?” she asked, her mood becoming mercurial. The pleasantness had disappeared and the darkness had returned.
    “I…because…well, why wouldn’t you?” I turned the tables.
    “Not everyone has a rosy life, Mr. Happy-go-lucky! You walk around without a care in the world, acting like everyone feels the same. Well, newsflash! They don’t. I didn’t want to be saved. I’ve had it with this miserable life of mine and just when I think I’ve finally…finally gotten to the point where it’s over, YOU show up all happy and glowing like you’re some sort of guardian angel, swooping down to save me. You, with your stunning looks and…well I’d bet you’ve never faced a day of adversity in your life. That’s the ONLY thing I’ve ever known. Constantly worried about how I’m going to pay my rent or tuition. Do you know what it’s like not to be able to buy a bag of potato chips because you couldn’t afford it? Why couldn’t you have just left me alone?” She looked up at me and tears were streaking her cheeks. My heart split in two, ripped open by the pain in her words.
    I extended my arm toward her but she flinched. I let it fall. My mouth was bone dry with my voice