Ascension

Parker and I lay in the grass near the tree we met under six years ago. There was a slight constant breeze, and the sun was shining. However, the trees around us provided constant shade. The last two months have been rough. The others at lessons have talked down to me for the last several years, telling me I am a Fae lover, amongst other things. Although no one knows about my escape here to the outskirts of town, it was because my parents were rumored to assist Fae on the front lines. Since meeting Parker, I have never been afraid of him. Parker has always been kind to me despite everything we learned about Fae in lessons. He is the only one in this world that I trust. These getaways with him were always perfect. Our little corner of the world where no one can hurt us. Parker had his left arm behind his head and right out to his side for me to lay my head on.

"Parker?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Hm?" He opened his eyes to look down at me.

"What would happen if we could not do this anymore?" I asked, knowing my Ascension was only four years away. Parker looked confused.

"Why wouldn't we be able to? Are the other students at your lessons threatening you?" I sat up, and he followed. "Because I will protect you, always. They would have to go through me if they ever wanted to hurt you." He reached for my hand and took it in his. "I will never let anything happen to you, Abigail." I knew he was serious.

"Even if they threatened me, they would never go through with it. My Ascension is coming, and I don't know where I will go from there." He tilted his head a little to the right.

"Ascension? Are you sick? I know a great healer who can fix whatever ailment you suffer from." He gave my hand a little squeeze. "Can you please just say everything? You're scaring me." The worry in his eyes melted my heart.

"No, I'm not sick. You don't know about Ascension Day?" I saw a flash of relief on his face. He nodded no, so I continued. "Once a year, all twenty-year-olds are to go to the Ascension building for two years. We do not know exactly what happens during those two years, but we are tested. In all areas of life. And it's decided which Faction we are to go to..." There's so much more I want to say about it, but I let him take in that much. We are both quiet for a while before he speaks first.

"I don't understand. You must move to this Ascension building for two years, then you are forced to a... Faction after that? What is a Faction? What about what you want? What about..." He trailed off.

"I'm sorry, Parker. Forget I brought it up. I was just thinking about it because it was brought up at home last night before my parents left for their assignment." He gave a tug on my hand, pulling my upper half towards him. He wrapped his arms around me.

"Abigail, no matter what happens, no matter where you go, I promise to protect you. I may not understand humans very well, but I understand you and how I feel about you." He laid us back down. "Now, tell me everything."