Zay

I sprang awake with a headache, the kind that beats in your ears and makes you want to pull your brain out through you nose.

At first, that's what I thought had woken me. Then I saw my brother.

Zarlo was writhing on his bed. His jaw was set in a furious scowl, sweat beading on his brow. Beside him laid a dark purple and green viper, also writhing. It let out a hiss of pain– or possibly anger. I couldn't tell.

I slowly slid my legs out of bed to get up, jumping as cool scales slithered over my feet. I stifled a shriek and yanked my feet back up onto the mattress.

I glanced over my knees suspiciously and met the gaze a blue and yellow viper, identical to the one by Zarlo's bed.

"Are you...?" I asked it, trailing off as I remembered that it couldn't answer.

The viper bobbed its head and flicked out its tongue.

I cautiously set my feet back on the ground. The viper wound around my ankles, showing no signs of aggression. Instead it seemed almost... affectionate?

"Does that mean...?" I looked from the viper to Zarlo, then back.

The– I guess, my viper bobbed it's head again.

Frowning, I slowly padded across the cold stone floor to stand over Zarlo.

His eyes were wild with what must've been pain and fear, but too many other emotions were flashing through his gaze for me to decipher. "You!" He snarled and lashed out. His hand, crudely curled so his sharp nails would scratch my face, only fell short of its target because of a spasm that rippled through his skinny form.

I recoiled, rocking back a step. It took me a moment to regain the courage to step forward again. "Zar, I think you have the bonding sickness." I whispered, hoping there was at least a tiny rational part of him that understood.

Beside me, my viper hissed sadly. He was poised over Zarlo's spirit animal, imitating my stance.

"Stay here, I'll get mom!" I glanced at my viper, "that means you too." I didn't want my parents to find out that I had spirit animal just yet. I rushed out of our room and skidded on the floor out our house as I swung around a corner.

"Mother! Father! Zarlo has the bonding sickness!" I exclaimed, concern making me forget that I hadn't been speaking to my Father.

Both of their eyes went wide. Father clapped. "Go tend to him, Lily."

Mother nodded and patted my shoulder as she passed.

"Ah, I knew my boy would summon an animal." Father smiled, showing off his blackened teeth.

I felt sick. "You don't even know if he'll survive."

"You listen here, girl." He was on his feet in an instant, his grimy finger jabbing my chest. "Your brother is strong. Stronger than you can ever hope to be. So shut your filthy little mouth and go help your mother."

I shrank back, my face hot with anger and embarrassment.

"Go on!" He cuffed me around the head, then shoved me roughly back in the direction of my room.

I stumbled, hurrying to leave.

Briefly, I heard him mutter, "women. Think they can do anything they want. Hah!"

I balled my hands into fists, suddenly wanting to spin around and confront him. I wanted to punch those rotten teeth out of his mouth.

But then my mother appeared in the doorway to our room, distracting me. Her eyes were warm. Clearly she hadn't heard anything from our fight.

"How is he?" I walked toward her.

"Not good." She admitted.

A frown pulled on my lips. "Then why do you look so happy?"

"Why didn't you tell me you summoned one as well?" She countered.

I flushed. "I didn't want father to know."

My mother paused and for a brief moment, her eyes turned sad. Then the moment passed. "I see." She took my arm and pulled me back into the room. "Then we won't tell your father." She looked happy, genuinely happy for once.

I could feel a grin growing on my own lips. "I haven't decided what to name him yet." I admitted, sitting down on my bed.

My viper slithered up and I ran my fingertip over his head.

"No ideas at all?" She raised a brow, moving away to tend to Zarlo.

"Well... maybe one." I let him curl up my arm. "Xavier. What do you think?"

She turned back, a soft smile gracing her lips. "I think it's wonderful. It suits him well."

The newly named Xavier flicked his tongue along my skin in agreement.

Father's footsteps sounded down the hall. Xavier darted under my bed, and I shot up to look busy. He poked his head in. "Is he better yet?"

Mother glanced up, "not yet, Hayden. He's not doing so good, I think we are going to have to bring him to one of those army camps, so they can give him the cure."

His face twisted into a thoughtful look. "I know some of the men there. We'll take him tonight."

~that night~
"I'll be fine, don't worry. Just get the cure for Zarlo!" I ushered my parents out the door.

"They're gone!" I called, watching them support Zarlo down the road.

Something tickled my foot and I looked down to see Xavier. He curled himself around my ankle and I bent down to stroke his head.

Straightening up, I stretched. Then I grabbed the sack that I had prepared that afternoon with food and water. I'd left my mother a note under my bed, where father was sure not to find it. I felt bad for leaving her, but after this morning, I knew I couldn't stay.

"Let's go." I exhaled steadily.

Xavier cocked his head at me and I furrowed my eyebrows at him. Then I understood.

"You wanna try passive state? Already?"

Xavier bobbed his head and I uncertainly offered my arm. There was a flash of light and a searing pain. Looking down, I saw that my skin was now patterned with blue and yellow scales, until the shoulder, where it looked like a viper's head and mouth.

"Whoa..." I couldn't help but grin. I stared at my arm for a few moments more before slinging the sack over my shoulder and leaving the house.

I walked quickly and quietly along the lane, headed out of town. I was almost at the docks that bordered my hometown when suddenly a pair of strong hands seized my arms. I tried to scream for help, but a hand covered my mouth.

"Shh, don't scream," a voice whispered in my ear, "I'm here to help you."

That's three of the eight. Please comment and vote. Stay tuned for chapter 4.

edit: 16/03/21
oof i forgot how tragic zay's life was.
anywayssss
hope you enjoyed, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
stay safe my lovelies xx