She Saved Him

Author’s Note: There are some mannerisms in here that I don’t use, and I just kinda threw them together. What I’m trying to say is that the things the characters do aren’t from a specific culture that I chose, I just put different actions in here. So, yeah. Also, I came up with the money names. I hope you enjoy it! :D

“Poppa! I’m heading out to the market to meet a friend. I’ll be back soon,” I called.

“Okay!” Poppa shouted back. I slung my backpack over my shoulder. I strolled out of Poppa and I’s little home and headed out on the journey to my destination. 

After fifteen minutes of a walk-jog-run mix, I arrived. I took a deep breath, breathing in all of the wonderful market air. The hustle and bustle of the area made me smile.

I jogged over to a guy my age that was standing in front of one of the stands.

“Hey, Stanley! Whatcha looking for today?” I asked. I put my hand on his shoulder and peered at the array of products; necklaces, bracelets, earrings, anklets, scarves, and headbands filled the table. A young woman, not much older than Stanley and me, smiled politely and waited for Stan or me to say something.

“Hi. I want… shoes,” Stan decided, adding in a whisper to me, “What are shoes?” I stifled a laugh as I pointed at my feet.

“Those things that are covering my feet? They’re shoes. This means that we need to go to a different table for you. For me, though, can I have that blue and red headband right there?” I said, turning to the woman.

“Yes. I am Lelei. That will be one monchaka, please.” Lelei averted her gaze to the floor and held out her hand to receive the silver coin. I dug around in the pocket of my jeans and found one. I placed it in the palm of her hand and bowed my head slightly.

“Thanks,” I say, grabbing the headband, and catching up with Stanley, who started wandering to other tables. He was now at an old hag’s station. The table held only two objects; a pair of boots that had wings on the sides, and a bottle that held a shimmery clear liquid. I tied the band around my head as I looked at the sign; it said: “Etta’s Magical Things For All Your Needs”. By the looks of it, this spot was full of evil witchcraft. I grabbed Stanley’s arm tightly, forcing him to look at me in the eye.

“Don’t buy a single thing from here. Let’s go find shoes,” I ordered. I began tugging Stan towards the shoe rack, but he kept his steel feet on the ground.

“No. These are shoes. Boots. I want them, Anna. I want them now. I will buy them, no matter what you say, Anna.” His human-looking android eyes stared at me with what I’m sure was defiance. I glanced at the wrinkly-skinned woman, and although she still had her head down as she was supposed to, I could spy mischief dancing in her eyes.

“Fine, Stanley, but don’t whine when something goes wrong with the boots.” I turned to the hag. “Can we have the boots, please?” I caught a glimpse of Stan smiling.

“Of course, of course.” The woman smirked. “Give me two niiklas and three monchakas.” I raised my eyebrows at her.

“I am Anna Ali Alagbara,” I stated, frowning. My eyes drilled into the woman.

“Oh, I am so very sorry,” she said sarcastically. “Yes, you may. My name is Etta. The cost will be two niiklas and three monchakas, please.” The last word out of her mouth came out like a growl. I ignored it and handed the gold and silver coins to her, taking the boots in return. I reluctantly handed them to Stan. He took them joyfully, sliding them onto his feet.

We continued our walk through the market, stopping every so often to look at different products. Multiple times, I had to stop Stanley from buying useless items.

As Stan and I neared the pier that was connected to the market, he cried out. I turned to him and my eyes widened at the sight. He was three feet off the ground! The little wings that were attached to the bright white boots were flapping and carrying Stanley higher and higher into the air. Even worse, he was headed straight for the water.

“Anna! Help me, please. HELP, ANNA!” Stanley screamed.

My mind raced. What do I do? What do I do? Finally, I got it. Stan was already over the water. All I had to do was grab a boat, get below him with the boots, and somehow get him to drop down to the boat. Simple enough.

“Hold on, Stan! I have a plan.” Before Stan could respond, I was racing towards the docks where a few sailboats were sitting. Hoping I wasn’t too rusty from my previous sailing classes, I untied the boat from the dock and leaped onto it. Fortunately, I remembered the basics and was able to start following Stanley, who was getting farther away from me by the second.

At last, I was at the same pace as Stanley and keeping the boat below his floating body at all times. I knew what I had to do.

“Stan! Take the boots off and I’ll catch you,” I shouted. Stan turned his gaze to me, his entire face laced with fear and worry.

“I-I don’t think that’s going to work, Anna. I’m eighty-one pounds of metal and wires!” Stanley frowned.

“It’s fine. I’ve hauled a ninety-nine-pound moose a whole mile! Don’t ask.” I countered. Although he was twenty feet in the air and his face was practically a blur, I noticed Stan roll his eyes and sigh.

“I won’t. I trust you.” He did not sound confident.

I watched intently as Stanley bent down in the air, and reached for one shoe. He got ahold of the top of it, then started pushing it off. For a second I thought that it wouldn’t come off, but I stared at the boot as it tumbled into the water.

“Woah!” Stanley cried. The boot that was still flying had flipped Stan upside down. My hands start shaking, and my jaw drops. I close my mouth quickly before maneuvering the boat back under Stan.

“Just try to get the other boot off,” I yelled. With noticeable difficulty, Stanley folds himself in half so he’s able to reach his feet, still in the air. I clench my teeth as I watch Stan grab the top of the shoe and start pushing it off. I put my arms out in front of me, ready to catch him. My entire body shakes. The boot is almost off of my friend. With one last grunt, the winged problem falls off of Stanley’s foot, plummeting towards the water and crashing into it with a splash. Meanwhile, Stanley does the same thing but heads straight towards my arms.

The wind is immediately knocked out of me when Stan’s metal body drops onto my outstretched hands. I fall to the floor of the boat, trying to catch my breath while Stan scrambles off of me.

“Are you okay, Anna?” he asked, concerned. His eyes darted around, trying to find something that would help me. Of course, nothing would.

As soon as I was able to breathe normally again, I said, “I’m fine. The biggest question is are you okay? Any dents?” I was only half-joking.

“I’m completely great, all thanks to you. I owe you one.” Stanley stuck his hand out for me to grab, which I gladly accepted. He pulled me up until I was standing.

“You got that right.” I wiped a bead of sweat off of the side of my face and sighed. “For a second there, I thought I wouldn’t be able to save you.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I’ll listen to you next time,” Stanley promised.

“Just… be careful. My world is nothing like the factory you were created in. There are dangerous people, natural disasters, and boots that fly. Understand?” I felt like I was talking to a five-year-old, but I needed to make sure that Stan did understand.

“Yeah. Now, can you get us back home on this thing?” Stanley asked, gesturing to the boat we stood on.

“Let’s see,” I laughed.