Fiction|Fantasy|SciFi Fantasy

Guarding You From Yourself

The savior you didn’t ask for.

Reclining in the shadows of the cantina, her well-trained gaze observed the patrons as they guffawed and played cards. Not distracted by the aromatic Cinco de Mayo foods on nearly every table, she waited patiently for him to appear.

With the slip of a card and a string of profanity, two guys stood, gripping each other’s uniforms with fists coiled like vipers when they felt her stare boring into their souls. With profuse apologies directed her way, the intergalactic travelers tucked their splayed tentacles as they quickly took their seats for a quiet, fair game of cards.

She watched him step through the doorway before the rest of the room acknowledged his presence by taking the festivities to a dim roar.

He paused just over the threshold. His eyes scanned the room as his hand raked through his dark, messy hair.

The patrons kept their heads down — minding their own business, but she saw how he winced in pain before his eyes lit up when the object of his desire came into view.

The young man took two steps forward, eyes locked on his glorious prize when he tripped on a scraggly mutt.

Scrambling to his feet, he attempted to kick the dog as he brushed off his jeans, glancing about for those who witnessed his fall.

He pushed past the patrons, spilling their drinks, as he took long strides toward the bar. His eyes burned as his hand hovered, shaking, near the cursed goblet’s base. In a barely audible, breathy whisper, “Finally, after years of searching. It’s mine…the power is all mine.”

Before his skin made contact with the goblet, she stood at his side. Her voice was smooth as honey and compassionate, yet firm. “Mateo, you know that’s not a good idea.”

Mateo visibly started at her voice, retracting his hand as if it had been bitten. Scowling, he turned to face her and spewed in a heavy Spanish accent, “I’m done being the errand boy for that monster!” His voice continued to grow in volume with each thought he voiced. “I’m done being poor! Once I sell this goblet, all my dreams will come true!”

She looked at him with pity filling her eyes, again. “You don’t understand the weight of the consequences. Veaga will cut off your hand for crossing him — and burn your mother’s home to the ground to make an example of you. But, that is nothing compared to the price of breaking your mother’s heart if you become a thief. Are riches worth all of that?”

She watched as indecision played across his features before his jaw firmed. As his eyes burned with lust for the life he desired, “You know nothing of me — or mi madre!” He snatched the goblet, turning on his heels to flee the cantina.

She quietly repeated for the umpteenth time in her partner’s tongue, “Ta̡̧̨̡͟k̴͜ę̷̕͠͞ ͟h̡̡͜í̵̀̀̕m̧͝ ̴̵oú̴͏t͘͏,̶̷͞͝͡ ̵͟͡͡K̶̨ó̧d҉a̷̛͘”.”

Koda transformed from the scraggly mutt into a vicious, imposing beast. He towered over Mateo — now a few shades lighter and eyes like moons. Koda let loose a deafening screech that showered Mateo in spittle.

The young man had passed out from the noxious spray before Koda had finished.

Koda looked at the unconscious man in a heap on the floor and carefully placed the goblet back on the bar. Looking at the woman, he sighed and asked, “E͟ve҉͠ǹt̴u͡a̕l͝l͟y̷̸ ḩe͢’́l͢l l͜͏ę̶ar̕͝n,͡ ̶͝ri̴͞g͏ht?̕̕?”

The woman gave a weak smile and nodded. “T̢͜hey̵ ą͝lw̸ąys͏ ̛do, ͢Kǫd̛͟a̷.̸̢ ̶Ev̢e̛ņ̀t҉̷u̴̶a̧͡l̢͢ļy.̀͡”

She gestured to haul Mateo outside before turning to her chair in the shadows where she would wait to do it again and again — until he learned.

2 pts - intergalactic card feud
2 pts - Mateo hired to steal the goblet & she is there for it also
1 pt - cursed object - stolen goblet
1 pt - Mom and shapeshifer save the young man from hurting his mom
1 pt - riches are infinitesimal in the big picture
1 pt - Koda is a shapeshifing alien
1 pt - Koda and woman speak fluently
1 pt - Story redo!
1 secret-bonus point for prompt box
1 secret - bonus point image from Infinite Possibilites Prompts
12 points total!!

Written in response to:

Also written in response to MOM’S RULE Challenge — Moms know everything that’s going on, see anything you did and guide you to do your best.

Sweet Chaos — Tickling your senses through fiction writing while shocking you with the outcome! Nothing is as it seems! Ready to read every addicting story leaving you on the edge of your seat? Not a subscriber? Or subscribing without being a referral? Consider having a subscription through me — I get a little boost at no extra charge to you!