El

In Hayao Miyazaki's animated movie Castle in the Sky, an ancient civilization disappeared, leaving islands and immense buildings floating in the atmosphere.

Watermelon juice stains my hands,
the rivulets running like another set of arteries.
I grow a second heart in the summer,
the double-beat for saltwater and humid frog-nights.

    The barrier collapsed, and I fell into Miles. He wrapped his arms around me and pressed his face into the side of my neck. I gripped his wrist, just to remind myself that he was there.

    I found myself lying flat on the sand, Miles’ body spread over mine. Something warm, wet, and probably bloody dripped along my collarbone, but I was too disoriented to tell if it belonged to me or not.

    Dragon breath brushed my hair as I stumbled forward, craning my head to peer in the direction Miles indicated. There, under her wing, a much smaller dragon lay sleeping.

    I woke up with my head tucked against Miles’ chest. He wasn’t moving, and his eyes were closed. Red panic surged in my throat until I realized he was human and asleep. I poked him. “Halloo? Up time.”