Sacrifice

“Mommy! Daddy! Look!” I ran over to my parents as fast as my little legs could carry me.

­ “What is it, Alexandra?” My dad gently set down his alchemy book and kneeled down on the floor so he was at my eye level.

“Is everything okay?” My mom sat next to my dad and gently took a hold of my shoulders.

“Yes, mommy. Everything’s okay. Watch what I can do!” I said, pulling a piece of chalk out of my skirt pocket. I drew a circle on the floor and added a few shapes and lines. My mother leaned towards my dad.

“Is she drawing a transmutation circle?” She asked quietly, as not to disturb me. My father nodded as he continued to watch me. I sketched a few runes and placed a small stone in the center of the now complete transmutation circle.

“Okay, mommy and daddy. Now watch closely.” I put my little hands on the circle and started to transmute the rock into a little stone cat. My father’s eyes widened as I set the little cat into his hands.

“I made you a kitty.” I said, smiling. My mother’s jaw dropped.

“Is this… Normal?” She asked my father, who was still staring at the cat with wide eyes.

“Let me tell you, Tara. I’ve never seen a four-year-old use alchemy. But this proves that our little Alex here is definitely a very special little girl. We should be very proud of her. I know that I am.” He said, tussling my short blonde hair. I beamed. Then my father said something that changed my life forever.

“How would you like it if I taught you alchemy, Alex?” He said, carefully handing the stone cat to my mother.

“Really?” My eyes widened as I sat down on the ground.

“Of course! If your mommy says it’s okay…” He looked at my mother. I gave her my best puppy eyes.

“Please? Pretty please with sugar on top?” I begged. My mother laughed.

“Sure, sweetie. I’m so proud of you.” She said, kissing the top of my head. My eyes sparkled.

“Thank you, Mommy! Thank you, Daddy!” I said, throwing my little arms around their necks. My parents laughed as they hugged me back.

(Five years later)

“Alex!” My mother called me. I set down one of my father’s alchemy books and ran out of his room. I found my mom in the kitchen.

“Yes?” I responded, standing in the doorway.

“Can you make dinner tonight? I’m not feeling very well.” She said, facing me.

“Of course. Go get some rest.” I said, leading her to her bed. I was a bit worried. My mother was a trooper. She didn’t let anybody know if she was feeling sick.

“Thank you so much, Alex.” She said, lying down. I felt her forehead and immediately pulled my hand away.

“You’re burning up!” I said, running downstairs. I got a bowl of cold water and a rag, then ran back upstairs. I put the rag in the bowl and gently spread it across my mom’s forehead.

“Mom, you’re a doctor. You should know that when you’re sick to get rest. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” I asked, fanning my mother’s damp face with my hand.

“I don’t want to seem weak. Ever since your father died, I’ve been taking care of you.” She said, opening her eyes. I shook my head.

“No. You can’t take care of me if you don’t get rest.” I gently closed her eyes. “Don’t move. I’m going to Piper’s to get some bread.” Piper was a friend (and neighbor) of mine, and we frequently went to each other’s houses to borrow food or other things. I walked downstairs and quietly stepped outside. I felt bad about lying to her, but if she knew that I was going to get help, she would immediately insist that she was able to go about her business and try to do so. I ran down to Piper’s house and threw open the door.

“Piper! My mom’s sick!” I yelled. My friend ran into the room.

“Alex!” She pulled me into a quick hug. “We have to get my mom!” She said, running outside. I followed her as she sprinted down the dirt road into town.

“Lucky for us, my mom’s the best doctor in all of Resembool!” Piper said, running down the town street.

“That’s right! Your mom taught my mom, right?” I asked as we ran into a building. Piper nodded. We burst into her mom’s office.

“Mom! Alex’s mom is sick!” Piper said. Her mom stopped filling out a paper and grabbed her bag.

“Let’s go.” She said, and all three of us ran back to my house.

“Which symptoms are your mother experiencing?” Piper’s mom asked me as we were running.

“She has a fever!” I shouted. We ran into my house.

“Where is she?” Piper asked me.

“Upstairs!” We ran into her room. My mom was asleep in her bed. I ran over to her and grabbed her hand. She opened her eyes.

“Hello, Alex.” My mom said. Her face was deathly pale.

“Mom! I got you help!” I said as Piper’s mom ran next to me.

“Tara. It’s been a while.” Piper’s mom said, rummaging through her bag.

“Amber. I haven’t seen you since my husband’s funeral.” Mom said. With the help of her mother, Piper gave Mom gave a quick check up.

“Whatever this is, she’s been fighting it for a while.” Piper’s mom said. I bit my lip nervously.

“Hey, Alex?” My mother looked at me.

“Yes?” I responded.

“Can you get that box off of the nightstand for me?”

I walked over to her nightstand and handed her a small wooden box. She opened it and pulled out the little stone cat that I had given my parents so many years ago. She handed it to me.

“You’re going to be an amazing alchemist, Alex.” She said, grasping my hand. “Just like your father.” She closed her eyes.

“Mom.” I said quietly. Her grip on my hand loosened.

“Mom!” I shook her gently, but her head rolled lifelessly.

“MOM!”