"What's the matter, Care bear? You haven't touched a lick of your spaghetti. Ya like pasta too, so don't hit me with that 'I'm not hungry' shit. We both know you got an appetite on you."

Carrie drearily looked up from her untouched plate, guiding her attention to Melony. The two occupied a couch in their living room as the television aired a western film from the eighties. Though neither of the women were invested in it, they often appreciated the background noise.

"It's nothing. Just tired. You drag me around so much and act shocked when I'm drained. I figured you'd know better," she responded. Carrie aimlessly twirled her fork around until a mass of noodles clumsily hung from the prongs. Hoping to reassure her nagging companion with a bite, she could hear herself releasing one thousand internal sighs as it did nothing to quell Melony's curiosity.

"Bullshit! Not the part about me knowing better, though. I do know better, that's the point. You're acting weird. Weirdo. I was gonna make fun of you for it and all, but I'd feel bad. Can't bully you when you're actually feeling down, so c'mon. Spill the beans."

"Tsk," was all that escaped Carrie's lips as Melony poked her in the ribs. Then, her finger branched off into several more like a trident, causing a vein to protrude in Carrie's head as her aggravation built.

"Just leave it okay? You're distracting me from the movie."

"We both know you ain't watching that junk."

"Fair."

"Why did I even agree to this," Carrie thought. "Involving myself with Natty and her little scheme... they had to include me I guess. I’m their transportation after all. Now I have to hold it in because I was stupid enough to go along with it. But Melly is right, I'm acting off. So maybe I'll just..."

Carrie forced a wide smile across her lips, the uncanny expression coming off like a creepy Halloween mask more than anything else.

"I'm cool. I just ate something earlier that didn't agree with me. You know how it is, right?"

Melony's face twisted in response, reeling back and putting up her arms defensively. She looked like she'd witnessed a gruesome murder happen right in front of her.

"Dude, you never smile. If you think this is throwing me off, I promise it's having the opposite effect. It's like there are little bugs under your face pulling your skin in both directions. Cut it out! It's creepy..."

Carrie released her expression instantly, a sprinkle of annoyance manifesting within her.

"Like you've got room to talk. Half of everything you do is just weird. I ask you for the salt and suddenly I'm watching you stretch your arm to the kitchen counter like some kind of hairless slug."

"And you've met how many hairy slugs exactly," Asked Melony.

"One at least. When you don't shave those pits you love showing everyone. Waving your arms around all the time like there's something to celebrate," Carrie retorted.

She rolled her eyes when Melony stuck out her tongue, blowing raspberries without a care for how ridiculous it looked.

"See? Now you're acting a little more like yourself, much better. No use tryin to fool me."

"Stupid asshole, why is she always trying to get a rise out of me? Whatever, I guess I do feel better not trying to act differently. If she won't stop prying, I can always just tell her a half-truth."

"Hey Mel..."

"What's up? Hit me."

"You remember when you let me come along with you? I know we're a pretty small group, but I was the first member. Things were different back then. It was just you out there, handling your business like you always do. You never had issues, and never came back hurt. It was like nothing could come close to stopping you."

"Let you come along? That's puttin a pretty favorable spin on it don't you think? I had to fight tooth and nail to get you to agree! Lazy bastard..."

"Shut up. You just wanted easier ways to travel. I wasn't lazy, I just didn't feel like getting taken advantage of by a selfish prick.

"Whoa," Melony exclaimed, shock embellishing her words as they left her lips. "Let's get some things straight, punk. You were most definitely lazy. Had to wake your ass up the first time we met because YOU decided to take a nap behind the counter at the gas station. Couldn't even get through your regular job without snoozin. And to be clear, nothing's changed."

Melony grinned and placed her hands behind her head, sinking into the furniture and exhaling deeply as the soft leather surrounded her body before continuing.

"Not that I mind of course. Fits your vibe just fine. But lemme tell you. Prick? Absolutely. Selfish? Maybe sometimes. But you can't tell me we didn't click like jackalopes on toast."

"What sort of freakish combination... okay, if by click you mean you took me out drinking and drove me around town at 150 miles per hour while the cops chased us, sure."

"We were young and dumb," Melony mused.

"And now you're just dumb. Look, the point is I knew I was different, but all things considered, I was fine. I led a normal life and worked a typical job and at the end of the day, coming with you was a choice. Sure, it was a choice I wanted to make. Life didn't feel all that satisfying back then. But it isn't like my life depended on it. That isn't true for the others. Their lives depended on you."

Melony shrugged and took a giant chomp of her noodles, slurping them up and speaking between chews.

"Yeah, I know all that. I found Natty, Jackson, and Holden all in the right place at the right time. But you know I don't like to think of it that way, that I saved them or whatever. If they weren't strong on their own, they would've died well before I met them. Give the kiddos some credit, won't you?" She narrowed her eyes and coughed into her fist, clearing her throat and assuming a more serious tone. "But I still don't get what's worrying you."

"Even among them, you know it was Natasha who needed you the most. That girl, she didn't even have a reason to live before you."

"I know," Melony responded, her voice lowering to a hush. She tapped her fork against the glass bowl she ate from, increasing her pace slightly as her signature grin emerged once more. "Man, she's come far huh?"

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"She really looks up to you. And as much as I want to pretend I don't get why and say you're a total clown, I understand. You're her life. Her direction."

"You talk about her like she used to talk about herself. You think she got better by feeding off my amazing energy? I get that I'm all that, but nah. I can only nudge in the right direction. Can't make a person do anything they refuse to do themselves."

Carrie hesitantly stood and walked several feet over into the kitchen. From there she gripped the jar of brewed coffee and poured some into her wooden cup. Her eyes closed as she took a sip of her beverage, the warmth serving to relax her tense muscles. In her mind's eye, she recalled one of the early days of Natasha's stay with them.

The young girl stood on the rocky surface outside of their base, facing the vast oceans beyond. From the front door of the building, Carrie watched Natasha and Melony in the near-distance, facing away from her. Her eyes widened slightly as Natasha threw something into the air.

"A... fish," Carrie whispered in disbelief. She saw the animal fly off with its freshly developed wings. Two branches with many leaves on their ends were fused with the fish but didn't harm it. With a few flaps, it glided through the sky, soaring as it never could before.

"Hey Carrie! Carrriiiiieeeee!!! Come check it out, she's helping the fish fly," Melony said.

Carrie approached and the closer she got, the more fish she noticed gliding gracefully through the air.

"Girl says she heard the fish wishing they could fly in the air and figured she'd oblige. Gotta say, I'm impressed. Haven't seen anything like it."

"She's really playing around with fish? Seriously," Carrie asked.

"Of course. Looks like they're happy with her work. She's been on the run her whole life and still has such refined control of her power. Probably gained experience doing things like this for critters everywhere she went. Girl loves em so much she finds time for them even when her life's at risk. Color me jealous... if I didn't know any better I'd say her paranormal gift was having a supernaturally sized heart."

"You don't say..." Carrie muttered as the girl took notice of her presence and faced her. Though scarring still marred the flora that coated her face, it was slowly but surely healing over time. Glimpses of flower buds had begun to sprout once more, and although no petals were present, the tips of the buds brightened in color.

"Oh, uh... hey there," said Carrie. She tracked movement around the girl's hand as a wooden mug was expertly crafted in her palm. Presented with the gift, Carrie accepted it. Upon close inspection, she marveled at the girl's impeccable work. Depictions of fauna were etched into the material, contributing both to its aesthetic and texture.

"But even with her natural talent, she and I have been practicing. Told her you love your drinks so she agreed to make a cup for you. Still, I didn't expect her to just do it on the spot like that." Melony remarked.

"Thank you, it's actually kind of pretty," Carrie said. She traced her nails across the surface. The girl tilted her head with glee and went back to looking up at the fish above. Now and then one would drift down to her and she'd tenderly stroke its head.

"Isn't she the best," Melony questioned before nodding her head in response to her own question. "I've been wondering what to call her for a while. According to her, she's never had a name. Pretty lame, right? Not befitting of such a cool cat if you ask me."

"What were you thinking," Carrie replied, raising an eyebrow as her interest rose. Melony placed an arm around the young girl, giving her shoulder a few soft pats as she contemplated the question. She turned her attention to the girl and began signing to her after a few moments of consideration.

"You're awesome. I'm being serious, I can't imagine you not going on to do great things. I'm talking about world-changing stuff if you set your heart to it. Heights even I probably couldn't reach, you know? You should have a name. Something to recognize you by. Something we can say and everyone will understand we're talking about you!"

"You mean that," the girl asked, her exposed eye eagerly enlarging. "You mean I deserve a proper name?"

"I don't see why not," Carrie thought. "This girl... Melly made sure to tell me how she's lived up until now. Even when she came here she was barely responsive. Yet here she is about a month later, acting like nothing happened. She couldn't have forgotten, could she? That's not it. Can she handle that burden at such a young age? She's at the very least earned a name for herself."

"Course you should have one," Melony exclaimed. "I think I'll call you Natasha. Is that fine with you?"

"Natasha? You want to call me Natasha? I think I love it. It's a beautiful name." Natasha practically leapt with joy, the buds sprawled across her skin lighting up even more than it once had. Melony flashed her a warm smile, a blend of nostalgia and glee embedding itself within her.

"It's a special name, ya got that? Things are totally different from here on out. People expect great things from a Natasha. Courage, kindness, determination. You're the best."

"But you're the best, aren't you," Natasha replied.

"Of course I am! But how can I be the best if I don't hang with the best?" Melony crouched down by the girl's side, getting level with her. "I knew a girl named Natasha once. She was incredible, beautiful, strong. A bit of a nut, that part may have rubbed off on me. Well, maybe a lot of things about her rubbed off on me. She was the best too. Taught me this life had far more to offer than I once believed. Name's are a tricky thing. Hardly anyone has a last name. Family ties don't tend to be the strongest among people like us. Legacy is hard to come by, ya see? I think the old Natasha would be thrilled to see you take on her name."

Natasha remained utterly still as she internalized all she was told. Though her visible eye watered, she quickly wiped it dry with her arm.

“She sounds incredible. Do I really remind you of someone like that? You'd think that highly of me?”

“Without a doubt.”

Alright, then from now on that’s who I am! My name is Natasha! Oh, what a wonderful thing to be called. My name is Natasha!” She threw her arms around Melony who chuckled and rubbed her head.

“Damn right! And that’s something nobody can ever take away from you.”

Whisked back to the present time, Carrie took another sip from her wooden mug. For whatever reason, the drink tasted a little better when she used that cup.

“I guess my worry is… Sometimes Natty goes out of her way to impress you. She’ll put herself in danger to prove you were right for picking her. But she’s not invincible like you, Mel. Not even close.”

“What could she possibly have to prove to me?”

“That your expectations weren’t misplaced. Over and over you drill it into her head how promising she is, how bright her future will be. You don’t think that has an affect on her? I get that you want to see her confident and strong. That you trust her. But she’s still impressionable, still has a chip on her shoulder,” Carrie reasoned.

“I’m aware.” Melony’s voice dropped any hint of playfulness and took on a more somber nature as she spoke. “Someone’s got to help her set expectations. I don’t like it either, sending those kids out into danger. You know I’d never set them up against anything they couldn’t handle. I also wouldn’t be doing any of this if I thought it weren’t necessary. Truth is that the way things are currently, they need to know how to protect themselves and each other. Plus… if there’s any chance this world can heal, we’re gonna need to foster those kiddos to pursue something better, ya dig? They’re among the few who want to help people in a meaningful way. Holden included, even if he’s only now realizing the extent of that desire.”

In her mind Carrie chastised herself for her audacity. “I really have the nerve to act upset with her when I’m willingly letting those kids go off into the deep end. As much as I hate to admit it, she’s right. We’re doing what we do for the same reasons, even if we go about it in different ways. Betting on the future, letting them come into their own through their own methods.”

“Fine, I get where you’re coming from,” Carrie blurted out. “I’m just stressed about it all. It doesn’t help that I’ve been restless at night. Even more than usual, I mean. It’s like I never get any deep sleep these days.”

“I get it,” Melony said with a smirk. “I can beat you over the head with a bat if you like, ya damn insomniac.”

“That really won’t be necessary,” Carrie dryly remarked. “I just wish I knew why it got so bad out of nowhere.”

“Well regardless, I hope you feel less concerned. You’re not as fun when you act super bothered. I need you back in that happy medium between misanthrope and quiet kid in class.”

“Great, I’ll be sure to go out of my way to appease you.”

“As you should!”