80|A Happy Birthday

~Rylee~

Davide slumped onto the ground, eyes still wide open. As fast as the fading light of the day, life left his green eyes.

I dropped to the ground, my knees hitting the dirt. Blood loss made my head reel. Warm and firm hands gripped my arms, steadying me.

“I got you, mija,” Vicente said, guiding me on a boulder under the shadow of a tree. He kneeled in front of me as I leaned on the trunk. Producing a scarf from his pocket, he expertly rolled it into an improvised bandage.

“I’m fine,” I groaned, yanking my arm from his hold. He chuckled, reaching for me again, gripping my arm tight, not allowing me to pull away. “I don’t want you here,” I grumbled, pouting, giving up the fight.

He hummed. “I know, mija,” he poked my nose with his bloodied fingers. My face crumpled, annoyed with that permanent smile stretching his lips.

‘Can’t he feel my hostility towards him?’

“Then why are you smiling?!” I voiced, snatching my arm from him when finally locked the ends of the bandage. Red stained