Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Chapter Eight-Lessons

         Well it turned out that I didn't have to worry about Lucia's appetite for my blood. Thankfully she always kept a fresh wine bottle of blood with her. The thing I had to worry about with her was her temper. I've been learning from her for about two weeks now and I've come to learn that she didn't take too kindly to when I got any of her questions wrong. She had gotten in to the habit of whacking my hands and arms with the hilt of a dagger. She made sure not to hit so hard that she broke any bones but my arms were littered with black and purple bruises. In some places she actually broke the skin causing me to bleed. To my surprise though each time this happened Charlie made sure to bandage my arm. These momentary acts of kindness made me forget for a split second that he was only doing it cause he wanted to use me.
         Rolling over in my bed I looked out the open balcony to see that the sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon. I haven't been sleeping very much lately. Kind of hard to sleep in a place where you don't feel like you have any friends let alone someone to trust. The closest person I remotely trust right now in this place was the pudgy cook that always slipped me extra desserts every night. It was sweet of them to be so kind to me but along with not being able to sleep well I don't have much of an appetite either. Half the time I just push my food around the plate before I force myself to swallow it. Can't really escape if my body is weak without the proper nutrition. I won't get very far if I don't have the energy to run.
         I sighed rolling out of my bed knowing that I won't be able to fall asleep any time soon. I was better off just getting up and wandering around learning the lay out of the castle like I have been doing. Like every morning when I woke up there was fresh clothing waiting for me on the small table where I would eat my meals. I groaned again when I saw that it was a dress once again. Charlie seemed to refuse to let wear anything other than dresses because he claims that I was far to beautiful to be wearing men's clothing. At the very least I wished that he would give me some shoes without heels on them. My feet always hurt so much at the end of the day from wearing high heels all day long. I don't understand how the business woman that wear the six inch heels every day. You would think after a certain time their feet would be damaged permanently. At this rate that's where I feel like my feet are headed.
         Walking in to the hallway as always this early in the morning everything was so quiet. Most of the guards spent the night time patrolling the grounds or walking the walls. During the night there were only minimal servants cleaning the castle. While walking along the halls I didn't come across any one save for the occasional painting of someone dressed in some fancy clothing. There were suits of armor that seemed to belong in a gothic movie. Each time I walked past one of these suits of armor I always felt like there was someone inside them watching my every move. It made me feel like no matter where I went I was never alone and that was a feeling I did not like when I'm trying to find a possible escape route.
         I went from one hallway to another still thinking that they all seemed the same still. I was slowly learning the lay out of this place and it was a matter of time before I stumbled across some secret passage. I'm sure that this place would have some kind of underground escape route just in case Charlie needed a quick get away. I just needed to find it and I can high tale it out of here. Once I found that escape route I was going to have to find out whether or not Charlie was bluffing or not about my parents. I can't leave if their lives were in danger by doing so. I would have just asked Marcus but I had yet to see him. It seemed like he wasn't going to be here any time soon and I knew I wouldn't be able to ask Charlie without raising suspicion. I had to keep whatever plans I make for escaping to myself. I was probably only going to get one chance at an escape and I couldn't afford to fail.
         I eventually found myself walking across the castle grounds my heels digging slightly in to the soft earth. I was pretty surprised when I came across a small garden on my third day. All there was in this garden was a large willow tree that had small pink sakura flowers littered all over the branches. Growing all around the willow were large hydrangeas with powder blue blossoms. Besides my bedroom this was the only place I felt that I could get any peace here. The area around the garden smelled so sweet from all of the flowers that whenever I found myself here I would sit under the willow till Charlie found me to take me to my lessons. The kids that serve food from the kitchen have learned by now if they couldn't find me in my room then they could find me here. Sure enough after sitting there for only about twenty minutes when a young boy showed up with a tray covered with a silver dome. When I lifted the dome I found eggs, bacon and some toasted bread. This was what breakfast normally is every morning so I wasn't surprised when I saw what was under the dome.
         I sighed heavily when I saw Charlie walking towards me. I knew exactly why he was looking for me. It meant that it was time to go to my lesson with Lucia once again. I stood up wiping dirt off the back of the dress trying not to look at the wounds on my arms. When he got to me he held out his arm like a gentleman would do to escort a lady. I reluctantly wrapped my arm around his elbow wishing I knew how to break it. Thanks to him I pretty much get tortured every day. Thankfully it's not worse than just the bruises and cuts I've got on my arms right now.
         When we got to the room that Lucia always taught me from since there weren't any windows I was surprised when I saw everything had been cleared from the center of the room. Lucia stood with her arms crossed in the center of room the same blank look on her face. She always seemed to bored save for when she was punishing me for giving a wrong answer to any of her questions. Even more I noticed that the circles on the floor that had been there when I first started my lessons were now gone. The only circle was a single one directly in the center of the room but instead of the red that looked like blood this time it was a neon blue. The markings on this circle were far more intricate than any of the other circles that had been painted on the floor before. What did Lucia have planned for today? It definitely didn't seem like I was going to be doing a bunch of studying like I have been doing this whole time. At this point I felt that I at the very least understood the basics of this world.
         "I'll leave you to begin Lucia. Try not to kill her. She's the only one that can create the portals and I need her." Charlie said before leaving.
         "Great that makes me feel completely at ease." I groaned.
         "Stand in the center." Lucia ordered.
         I hesitantly walked over to the center of the circle not very keen on finding out what my lesson for today was going to be. Charlie's little comment about not killing me only made me feel more nervous to the point that my stomach felt like it was doing flips. I was pretty sure that my hands were probably shaking as well. As soon as I stepped in to the circle I could feel a static shock run up my legs to my spine. There was definitely power in the circle but I very much doubted me standing here was a good thing for me.
         "Now today is going to be a very simple and easy day. All you have to do is make this ruby hover in the air a few inches." Lucia instructed pulling out a round ruby the size of a golf ball.
         "How am I supposed to do something like that?" I pointed out. "I've never once in my life used magic to begin with and to top that off I still have a part of me that doubts that magic or any of this is real."
          "Stop you're whining and just do it." Lucia snapped.
         I sighed really wishing that I was back home with my parents. I was even wishing that I was back at school sitting at a desk listening to a teacher drone on. How was I supposed to make that ruby hover in the air without touching it? How was me standing in this circle supposed to help with that? I locked my eyes on the ruby in Lucia's hand not too sure what I was supposed to do to make it hover. I felt quite silly just standing there staring at a ruby resting in Lucia's hand. The whole time Lucia just watched me a bored expression on her face. She clearly wasn't going to be helping me and was most likely expecting me to do it without her help. If I were going to make that ruby hover I wouldn't just have it do that. I would make that ruby launch its self through the air to slam in to Lucia's face. I wanted to just make her feel as miserable as I have been. Worst part was that I felt bad about thinking something like that because I've never really wished any one harm before I came to this world.
         I stood there for near fifteen minutes before Lucia sighed rolling her eyes at me. She was clearly displeased that I wasn't able to do it on my own. I jumped slightly when I saw her eyes sudden change so that her pupils were now slights and every vein in her eyes turned blood red. I was distracted when I noticed the circle on my feet light up. I wanted so badly to run as fast as I could but for some reason my feet couldn't move. It felt like I was standing in a bucket of gorilla glue. I could feel my heart begin to pound harder and faster in my chest the circle became steadily brighter. I fell over in shock when bolts of lightning suddenly arched up in to the air before crashing down on to me. I shouted as my entire body felt like it was being fried from the inside. Every muscle in my body constricted painfully. I wasn't even able to scream in pain because my jaw locked my teeth together. When the pain finally stopped I could smell that my hair was slightly burned and my whole body ached. My spine alone felt like it was now stiff and unable to bend. Why the hell had Lucia done that?
            "For each time you fail to do as I've instructed you'll be punished." she said her voice as calm as if she had just flicked me on the forehead.
            "How am I supposed to do as you've instructed when you're not actually instructing?" I snapped.
            "When it comes to magic you've got to just do it. I can't show you have to use your magic especially since you are from another world. You have to figure that one out on your own. Now let's continue." Lucia said clearly ignoring my attitude toward her.
            If I actually managed to learn how to use magic out of this I was definitely going to be turning on Lucia to teach her a lesson. I don't think before today I've ever hated a person. I've disliked people before but I've never actually truly hated someone. In that moment I was sure that I hate Lucia and I most definitely hate Charlie.
         

Monday, May 20, 2013

Chapter Seven-New Discovery

         "W-what makes y-you think that I would be able or willing to help you with anything?" I wondered.
         "I'm quite sure you'll be able to help me in my plans. You're the only one that's capable of helping me." he stated. "Unfortunately there isn't any one else in this world or yours that can do what you can do."
         "And what do you think it is that I can do?" I questioned.
         "Well open a portal between our worlds of course." he answered.
         "If I could do that I would have gone home the first chance I had." I pointed out rolling my eyes at him. 
         "I wouldn't have brought you here if I wasn't absolutely sure that you were the right person. In your world there is only one blood line that has the ability to create portals on command. Unfortunately your world has come to fear and disbelieve magic so much that the ability has been forgotten." He explained.
         "So if I have this so called ability then how do you plan on having me actually figure out how to use this? Also what makes you think I won't jump through the first portal I can create to go back home?" I inquired.
         "What makes you think Marcus is the only one I sent in to your world?" he countered.
         I could feel my breath catch in my throat as I managed to put two and two together. If what he's saying is true that means there is another person like Marcus in my world. Could they be watching my parents? Did Charlie plant them there in case I do anything against Charlie? The biggest question is how is Charlie communicating with them? My parents were possibly in a great deal of danger all because Charlie believes that I can open portals between our worlds. For the moment till I was sure that my parents were safe I was stuck here.
         "Now shall we get you dressed in something with a little more material?" he said standing aside.
         Looking down at myself I realized that I was still only wearing the night gown that Liam's mother had given me. The pajamas I woken up in needed to be cleaned because of the blood that had soaked through the bandages before Elizabetha healed my leg. The night gown that I was wearing went all the way down to my knees while the wool material was actually pretty thin. My bare feet were covered in dirt from Marcus dragging me through the forest. I was very sure that after everything that happened I very much needed a bath. There was even a thin layer of dirt underneath my nails of my hands. I didn't even want to imagine how wild my hair looked because of the whirl winds.
         "I very much doubt you would want to run around this castle wearing just that." he pointed out.
         "I'm not confined to this room?" I asked surprised.
         "Of course not but my guards have been instructed to make sure you do not leave the grounds." Charlie told me walking toward the doors opposite from the bed. "You coming?"
         I took a few steps forward unsure if I should go with him or not. I eventually followed him out in to the hallway realizing that there wasn't much else I could do. It was better for me if I walked around this castle and learned where everything was. Maybe I could find some hidden passage way that leads outside past the walls. The only real issue I had with this half thought out plan of mine was what Charlie had said about my parents. If I did manage to get out of here what would happen to my parents if he was actually telling the truth? I needed to know for sure whether or not he actually had someone watching them. If I knew for sure that they were truly in danger then I might be able to figure my next step. At this point I was very much stuck here with Charlie.
         I followed Charlie down to the level below us in to a room that had a massive tub built in to the floor. The water had steam rising from it and there were some rose petals floating along the surface. Placed on the edge of the tub was what looked like a bar of soap and some wash clothes. Folded neatly on a bench on the far wall were some towels along with what looked like some fresh clothing. Charlie said that he would leave me to get washed up and he would return in about thirty minutes for me. The moment that Charlie closed the door I heard the click of the lock going in to place. So much for being allowed to wander around freely.
          I sighed as I pulled the night gown over my head letting it lie on the ground beside the tub. I sank to the warm water finding a small perch to sit on all along the edges of the tub. There was a rich rose scent coming up from the water that surrounded me. I could see the dirt lifting off my feet as they soaked in the water. I let myself slide down in to the water till even my head was submerged as well. I could feel my hair float out around me and the pressure in my ears from the water blocking out all sound. As I floated in the darkness my mind strayed back to the looks on Liam and Will's faces as they tried to catch me before the chasm closed. Liam's calm composure he had while fighting Marcus was gone. There had been so much worry on his face that it made my heart tighten thinking about it.. Yet it was Will's face that stood out the clearest in my mind. His face had been so pale that his black hair stood out harshly against his skin. I was pretty sure that he had been shouting my name as I fell but the winds were so loud all I could see were his lips moving. I felt my hear flutter when I remembered seeing tears falling from his eyes.
         As I lifted my head back out of the water I couldn't understand why he was crying. As far as I knew he thought of me as nothing more than a nuisance. Why would he be crying? I can see him being worried about me because like Liam said he's just not one to really show people how he feels. That he keeps them at arms length because of what Charlie would do to them. Still he's only known me a few days. Why would he be crying over me? I very much doubt that I was that important to him.
         When I finally stepped out of the tub I was still just as confused about Will as I was when I had stepped in to the waters. I quickly dried off before getting dressed in the clothing sitting on the bench. I groaned a little when I saw that it was a dress. The first layer was a thin white sleeveless dress that fell down to my ankles. The next piece of the dress was a skirt that was golden tan. The vest that was lying next to the dress had a built in corset and was a light brown in color. I was surprised that the buttons on the front were actually solid gold. As I was getting dressed I noticed that there were some tan colored heels that were only about two inches high. Resting on the shoes were knee high stockings. Just as I was slipping my feet in to the heels I heard the lock in the door turn. Moments later Charlie walked back in.
         "My do you clean up nicely." he commented.
         "What are we going to do now?" I wondered. "Do I get to go back to my room to get some sleep now? It is still the middle of the night."
         "You didn't notice that the sun was all ready coming up. You were in that transfer wind for hours. If you fall asleep now you won't be able to sleep tonight." he stated.
         "Then what are we supposed to do?" I asked.
         "Now we go eat breakfast. You're going to need your energy for the training you're going to be starting today." he declared.
         "Just food alone won't be enough to keep awake all day." I sighed all ready beginning to feel how heavy my eyes were.
         "You'll want to stay awake. You're instructor doesn't take to kindly to those that don't pay attention or falls asleep during his lessons." he warned.
         "What teacher does like that?" I said rolling my eyes at him.
         "Come along" He motioned with his hand.
         I sighed as I began following him out of the room in to the hallway trying real hard not to trip in the heels I was wearing. I've never been a fan of wearing high heels before so I haven't had much practice walking in them before. I kept having to pay attention to where I was stepping rather then where I was going especially since the floors were made of the same stones as the walls. I had to keep watching where I stepped so that I didn't trip on any of the cracks between the stones. The problem with watching your feet though is if you're following someone you aren't watching them completely. So when Charlie suddenly stopped in front of me I ended up running directly in to him.
         I half expected for him to get mad at me bumping in to him. I was quite surprised when he just gave me a small smile over his shoulder. Then again if I wanted someone to do something for me I wouldn't start out by doing something mean to them. Who knows maybe he isn't as bad as everyone says he is? Then again he did just have someone that works for him kidnap me as well as threatened my parents if I tried to leave. I couldn't let him being remotely nice to me cause me to forget that underneath it all he was a snake.
         When Charlie opened the door I found myself walking in to a room that sent chills up my spine. There weren't any windows so the only light came from candles. There were several circles with multiple designs painted on the floor that looked suspiciously like blood. On the wall were shackles that were made of steel with what I was really hoping was rust. There were several shelves with both books and jars that things floating in them that I would rather not know what they are. Sitting in a chair with his feet propped up on a table reading a book was a woman that looked like she could use a good meal or two. She was extremely tall and was so thin that I was sure that she needed treatment for anorexia. Her auburn color hair was pulled back in to a very tight bun pulling the skin around her brown eyes. She had skin that was so pale I wasn't sure if she's ever seen the sunlight in her life. With her pale skin the freckles across her nose stood out as if they had been painted there. This woman was supposed to be teaching me how to open a portal to and from my world like Charlie claims that I can?
         "Good morning Lucia. I've brought you the pupil I promised." Charlie said entering the room.
         "You're late." she snapped.
         "I'm sorry about that my dear. I trust that you'll be able to teach her even though she has no experience." Charlie stated.
         "Have I ever failed you before?" she smirked.
         "Then I leave her in your care." Charlie smiled.
         In that moment I was trying to decide whether or not I should go with Charlie or stay here with Lucia. Either way I knew my decision wouldn't be a good one. Both seemed to radiate evil from their bodies, Lucia just seemed to show it more than Charlie. When the door shut behind me I felt my stomach drop through the floor. Lucia sat in her chair for several minutes watching me. I hated the way she was watching me as if she was able to see right through me. My mom and dad were able to do that especially when I was trying to hide that I was upset. The fact that Lucia was doing that now made me feel quite uncomfortable not just because she's a stranger.
         "Shall we begin." Lucia sighed standing up.
        "I'm not sure if he told you this but I'm pretty sure that I can't create the portal he wants me to." I pointed out.
         "He did tell me that you might be a disbeliever when it comes to anything magic. That just means that I have to make a believer out of you first before we can truly begin. Once you believe then we can truly begin your training." She said standing over me.
        "After what I've seen so far I've all ready began to believe." I said.
        "I can seen that a spark has been light inside of you but it is far from a roaring flame. What Charlie didn't tell you obviously is that I am a vampire. One of my gifts is that I'm able to see a person's inner most depths. Like I can see how much you miss your parents. I can see parts of you that you didn't even know you have including being able to see that you have the ability to create portals." she explained.
         "A vampire?" I said very confused.
         "What you expected that I would be this beautiful but deadly creature? Contrary to what you have come to know vampires are beautiful. Our bodies are dead which is why we feed on blood to keep them working. It is also why my body is so thin. The body can't collect fat or build muscle when I'm not ingesting food like a normal human would." she laughed. "Now enough talking let us begin our lesson."
         I gulped as I watched her move across the room to a shelf grabbing book after book. My instructor is a vampire and I'm being left here alone with her. What if she decided that she needed a snack? What was going to stop her from sinking her teeth in to me? Watching her move I did notice how graceful she was even though her body seemed so brittle. I really hoped that she didn't get hungry during these lessons. G45ASKXXMDRY 

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Chapter Six-Danger

         "You should know the moment you scream I'll march right over to little girl sleeping in the room next to yours and slit her throat." He whispered so quietly that I nearly missed what he said.
         I nodded my head to let him know I understood. Was he just going to kill me right here and now? Had he all ready killed Will? I wanted to kick and scream so badly yet his warning rang in my head so loudly. I couldn't get that innocent little girl in the next room in danger because I was scared for my life. She's been nothing but kind to me since I met her. Melinda has every right to be able to live her life like she wanted to. 
         Marcus jerked me out of the bed to my feet shoving me toward the open window. I really should have closed that window before I had laid down. I climbed out the window my bare feet feeling every little rock in the dirt. Marcus was close behind me grabbing me by my upper arm dragging me along with him. Was he trying to make sure to kill me some place where no one would be able to hear me? Would it be easier on him if he left my body where the Cruets could get to it so they could do his clean up? What I couldn't understand is why he was dragging me out of the house instead of just finishing me off right there. What was the point of dragging this out besides possibly making me feel like I was about to have a second panic attack? I would just rather he end it instead of letting me continue wondering what was about to happen.
         "Would you just end it all ready?" I snapped.
         "End what?" he asked.
         "My life."
         "What led you to believe that my goal was to kill you?" he wondered with a raised eyebrow.
         "What do you want with me then?" I questioned feeling the blood drain from my face.
         "I personally want nothing to do with you. I was given an order and I'm following through with it. It's the man I work for that wants you." he explained.
         "And who is the m-man you w-work for?" I stammered.
         "You'll find out soon enough. Now stop talking." he ordered.
         Why would the man Marcus works for want me? I felt my heart stop in my chest when I managed to connect together some important clues. Will had been chasing Marcus in to my world to figure out what he wanted there. Why had Marcus' boss want me? I was far from anything special so why would someone from another world having someone go through so much trouble to get me? I had a very bad feeling about this and the further I went with Marcus the faster my heart began to beat. I really didn't want to find out what his boss wants with me especially since from what I've heard he's far from a good person.
         We went further and further in to the forest darkness around us making it hard to see where we were going. I had to get away from Marcus but I wasn't sure how I would do that. I couldn't fight like Will could so trying to battle him was out of the question. I could barely see two feet in front of my feet so running would be difficult. As much as I hated thinking it right now I really wished that Will was here. I hated the thought even more because I knew it meant that I couldn't really take care of myself. I've always been able to take care of any problem I've had and when I did need help I would go to my parents. I was far from my parents to be able to get their help. I was pretty sure at this point I was too far away from even calling out for help. Marcus' grip on my arms was so tight that my arm was beginning to hurt quite a bit. Slipping his grip would be probably a lucky break if I'm able to do at least that. The only way at this point I would get away from Marcus is if I got extremely lucky.
         I was surprised when out of nowhere Marcus yanked me backwards causing me to trip over my own feet. If Marcus hadn't been holding on to my arm I probably would have fallen on to my butt. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw a large form land where we had just been standing. When the figure stepped forward in to the moon light I felt my heart skip a beat when I saw that it was Will. He had actually came after me. How had he known that Marcus had taken me? Even better was how he had managed to catch up to us so easily in the dark? As much as he irritates me I couldn't have been more happy when I saw Will.
         "Let her go Marcus." Will snarled.
         "Or what?" Marcus smirked.
        "You won't live to find out." Liam said stepping out of the shadows from behind holding a broad sword in both hands
         "Now do you get to walk away with your life tonight or do we get to cut you down?" Will asked.
         "Of all people Will I would think you would know better by now than to come between what he wants." Marcus sneered.
         "What does he want with her?" Will demanded.
         "That's something you won't be finding out today." Marcus laughed.
         Before either Will or Liam were able to say another word Marcus suddenly jerked pulling something out of a pouch on his belt. I wasn't able to see what it was but I saw his hand motion as he threw it on the ground. I felt the ground under my feet shake violent before it split open revealing a chasm at our feet. Looking over the edge all I could see were swirling winds that made my hair whip around my face. I was really hoping that Marcus wasn't planning on jumping in there. I could see that Will's face was twisted in anger as he leaped forward jumping across the width of the chasm. Marcus knocked me back as Will lashed out at him with a pair of long bladed daggers. Marcus managed to dodge each strike Will tried to land expertly in a way that made it seem like he knew what his move was going to be. How was Marcus able to move so easily while still managing to keep a hold on my arm?
         Not really thinking I did the first thing that popped in to my head. I bite down as hard as I possibly could on to Marcus' hand holding on to me. I heard Marcus hiss in pain loosening his grip on me. It was enough though that I managed to slip my hand out of his grip. I stumbled backwards several steps just as Liam dashed forward catching me before I fell in to the chasm. I was so relieved that they had shown up that when Liam caught me I let out a sigh of relief. Maybe I wouldn't find out what Marcus' boss would want with me.
          Will continued going after Marcus his intent to kill Marcus clear on his face. I felt my eyes go wide though when Marcus suddenly knocked one of Will's weapons out of his hand. Marcus then quickly pivoted on his feet swinging his other foot around. Marcus kicked Will straight in the chest knock him backwards. I could hear Will let out as gasp of pain as Marcus' boot connected with his chest. Marcus then instantly turned around to face Liam. Liam quickly pushed me behind him putting himself between Marcus and me. Marcus didn't even wait a minute before lunging forward towards Liam. Liam swung his broad sword in way that it appeared to be as light as a feather. Like with Will Marcus was able to move avoiding the blade of Liam's sword gracefully. Unlike Will as Liam fought Marcus his face remained neutral not letting any emotion escape. Liam seemed far more in control than Will is.
         Marcus then slammed his palm against the flat part of Liam's sword knocking it out of the way. Liam swung with the momentum Marcus created the tip of the blade digging in to the ground slightly. Marcus then grabbed Liam by the collar swinging him over his shoulder. I gasped as I watch Marcus throw Liam as if he weighed nothing more than a cat. My eyes widened when I saw Liam crash in to Will as he was trying to get back in to the fight. Without missing a beat Marcus was in front of me blocking my view of both Liam and Will. I could hear the two of them scrambling to get back to their feet to get me away from Marcus. Marcus then grabbed me around the waist lifting me over his shoulder. I instantly began panicking making my heart pump adrenaline faster through my body. I kicked and slammed my fists against Marcus as hard as I possibly could. No matter how hard I hit him it didn't seem to phase him in the slightest. I might as well be a mosquito biting his skin on a hot summer day.
         "Riley!" I heard Will exclaim.
         The next thing I knew Marcus heaved me over the edge of the chasm. I felt myself lift up a couple inches in to the air before falling straight down in to the swirling winds. I just barely caught a glimpse of both Liam and Will reaching over the edge of the chasm trying to catch me. Seconds after I fell in to the chasm the wind and dirt closed around the top of the chasm blocking out the opening. I could feel myself falling yet at the same time it felt like I was moving through jello. My decent seemed to be slowed even though the winds around me wiped around me making my hair go all over the place. What was going on? How had Marcus created the whirlwind? Was I going to be trapped in here the rest of my life? Like the winds around me questions swirled around my head seeming to collide in to each other.
         I gasped when out of nowhere I felt myself drop like a rock. I was even more startled when I found myself landing on a massive queen sized four poster bed. Looking up the whirl winds I had literally just dropped out of vanished with out a trace that they were ever there. While my heart was still pounding in my chest I looked around the enormous room I was now in. The room had walls with giant grey stones that were smoothed to the point that there wasn't even the slightest crack in them. Along the wall to my right was a fire place that had statues of wolves with bowed heads sitting on either side. In front of the fire was a large rug that was at least two inches thick and was a deep violet color. To the left of the bed along the same wall were two french doors with flowing curtains hanging in front of them. I quickly raced over to those doors opening them to find myself standing on a round balcony. I could feel my heart drop when I realized that I was at least a good thirty stories up in to the air.
         Looking out over the edge of the balcony I saw that I was in what I could only describe as a castle. There were several towers all around me some of which rose up high above my head. I could make out the wall rising up all around the castle grounds where there people walking along it wearing what looked like a suit of armor. There were several flags along the wall that were very narrow with a rose surrounded in thorns  on each in a very deep red and green. Where the hell was I now?
         "Well it's good to see that you've arrived in one piece."
         I whirled around to find a man standing behind me. He looked to be about the same age as Liam and Will maybe a year or two older. He wore some leather boots over some black pants. On his chest he wore a silver chain mail vest over a long sleeved white shirt. Every piece of clothing he wore looked tailor made just to fit him and was probably made with the most expensive material. His neatly combed jet black hair had bangs that hung slightly above his eyes. His eyes were a deep ocean blue that seemed cold even though he was smiling at me. Just being near this man made me want to jump over the balcony to get away from him. He made look as handsome as an angel or a model would look but something told me he was very far from that.
         "W-who are you?" I demanded.
         "I'm sure Marcus told you who I was?" he asked tilting his head to the side watching me very closely.
         "Marcus works for you." I concluded feeling the blood rush from my face.
         "Yes he does and it sounds like he didn't bother to tell you much else." he sighed
         "I've heard plenty from Will."
         "You shouldn't believe everything he says." he smiled. "My name is Charlie Macour and I have been waiting a long time to meet you Riley."
         "Why?"
         "We're going to some great things together of course." he said his smile growing bigger.
         Things were just getting worse and worse the longer I was in this world. Now I was trapped in a castle with a man who I was pretty sure had a few screws loose. I was really hoping that things didn't get any worse than this. Then again I could be very much wrong.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Chapter Five-Realization

         I kept pacing around Elizabetha's living room as I felt panic begin to rise in my gut. If magic was clearly real like I just witness was it possible that I was in another world after all? If that was the case then Liam was right about me getting home was going to be difficult if not impossible. I was pretty sure that I was happening a panic attack. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest while my breathing was so shallow. If Liam is right then there is a very good chance that I won't ever get to see my parents again. They will just spend the rest of their life wondering what happened to me never getting a chance to know what happened to me. In cases where parents have lost their children at least they get closer even when the child is found dead. It's the wondering that leaves the doors to the pain of lose open.
         Seeing that I was panicking Liam stood up grabbing me by my shoulders stopping me from pacing. I looked up at him seeing the soft look of worry in his eyes. Looking up at him it took me a moment to realize that I was crying. I could feel the tears falling from my eyes to my chin where the fell on the shirt I was wearing. It wasn't even till then that I realized I was shaking like a scared chihuahua. It felt as if Liam's hands on my shoulders were the only things holding me together. I felt like there was a crack running down my chest that could cause me to shatter at any given moment. 
         "Liam you might want to take her to the tailor. I doubt she wants to wander around in pajamas all day long. She'll especially need a decent set of boots." Elizabetha said breaking the silence.
         "I'I don't have a-any money." I hiccuped.
         "Don't worry about it." Liam assured me.
         I waved goodbye to Elizabetha as Liam and I left her home. Walking down the street I looked back over my shoulder to see here standing in her door way watching us leave. I did have a strong sense that there was another reason as to why she told Liam to make sure that I got some good boots. I may be in the middle of calming down from a panic attack but at the same time I wasn't completely clueless. There was a bit of suspicion in my mind that was telling me that she knew something. Maybe that something might help me in getting home. I wanted very badly to go back to her home to find out what she knew.
         Walking in to the tailor's shop the walls were lined with a variety of clothing like a clothing store back home. Liam led me over to a very thin woman with long fingers who pulled out a measuring tape. I spent the next ten minutes having this woman run the measuring tape all over my body trying to figure out what size I wore. When she was finally satisfied that she knew what size I was overall she ran around the store grabbing clothing after clothing. Before I had a chance to say anything the woman pulled me over to some curtains shoving me behind them with the massive pile of clothing she had put together. Liam sat down in a small wooden chair giving me a smile as a pulled the curtains closed. Going through the clothes I found quite a few tan breeches that actually to my surprised fit perfectly. The shirts she had grabbed were all white while a few were long sleeved and others were long sleeved. I did have a little issue with some of the corsets that I had found in the pile. I was never very good at tying them myself so it took me a minute or two to get even one tied so that it was on snug but I could still breath. Looking down at myself I felt like I had stepped in to a renaissance fair. It did feel good though to be wearing something that didn't make me stand out so badly.
         Stepping out from behind the curtains Liam lifted his head up to look at me. I was now wearing a pair of dark brown breeches with a short sleeved white shirt underneath a black corset. I felt my cheeks get a little warm when I noticed that he took a quick glance over me before looking me in the eye. Liam stood up and told the woman that had picked out all of the clothing I had tried that he was purchasing them all. I tried to protest that I didn't need all of that but he just smiled and pulled out several gold coins from a pocket inside is vest. The woman told Liam that she would have the clothing delivered to his home. Liam didn't even have to tell her where he lived. The good thing about a small town like this every one knows everyone so doing deliveries was easier than in a city.
         From there Liam led me across the street to another shop that had a single elderly man hunched over a work station. Even as we walked up he was in the process of sewing some leather together making what looks like children's shoes. We stood there for several minutes before the man lifted his head up acknowledging that we were there. Liam quickly told the man what we needed for. The man slowly put down what he was working on motioning for me to follow him. I followed him through a doorway that was covered with some red curtains. Behind the curtains I felt my jaw drop when I saw piles after piles of boots in a variety of sizes. All of the boots had their laces tied together so that each pair was together. I wasn't sure of what kind of system he had but he quickly measured my feet before diving in a couple of piles. He soon reemerged with several pairs of boots dropping them at my feet. He then stood there watching as I tried each on. Out of all of the boots I tried on there were only two pairs that fit me properly. One pair went all the way up to my knees while the second went only half way up my lower leg. I was surprised when I found the inside of the boots were soft and quite comfortable. When I returned to the front of the shop Liam was still there waiting for me pacing around with his hands behind his back.
         "Now what?" I wondered as we left the shop.
         "Now I walk you back to my home. I have to go out to the farms to help out for a little while." he replied.
        "Would it be possible if I could go see Elizabetha? I was hoping to talk to her a little bit more." I wondered.
         "All right. I'm sure she would love that since she does live by herself and she was quite interested when she heard about you." Liam agreed.
         "Do you live alone?" I asked as we walked.
         "No, Will of course lives with me. I also have my mother and younger sister that lives with me. They both work on the farms as well." Liam answered.
         "Where's Will's family?" I wondered.
         "Unfortunately I'm the closest thing to family he's got left. When I met him for the first time as kids he was an orphan." Liam explained.
         "Well that does explain quite a bit."
         "I'm assuming you're referring to his personality. It is part of it but not everything." Liam said.
         Liam walked with all the way back to Elizabetha's house where he left me waving goodbye as he made his way to the farms. I took a deep breath before walking up to her door that was now closed. I only stood on her porch for a couple of seconds before she opened the door. She stood aside letting me walk past her in to her home. She closed the door behind me following me to the couches sitting down with me.
         "I had a feeling you would come back." Elizabetha said.
         "And I have a feeling you might know how I can get back home. Liam said that it might be near impossible for me to get home." I said.
         "He's right. The portals between our two worlds don't open up on command. They are in a way like when lightning strikes. It never strikes in the same place twice. The portal's opening are very rare on top of that. The fact that Will managed to find a portal to your world and back to ours in a matter of two days was luck in its self." Elizabetha explained.
         "Then how am I supposed to find one of these portals? Wander this entire world till one magic pops up in front of me?" I groaned.
         "No. Doing something like that would only get you killed in the long run. You aren't trained in any form of combat I'm assuming let alone any magic. This world is far more dangerous than yours especially since you don't know the first thing about this world." she pointed out.
         "I can take care of myself." I insisted.
         "I'm sure you can but surviving this world is far different than being an independent adult." she said.
         "I can't just sit around twiddling my thumbs praying that a magical portal will open so I can see my family again." I groaned.
         "You won't. There is someone that I knew that might know of a way to get you home. There is only one problem." she stated.
         "What problem?"
         "Well problems actually. First off you would have to actually have to do quite a bit of traveling. The second problem is this person doesn't help people easily. It would take quite a bit of convincing to get this person to even possibly think of helping you but they are the only one that could possibly help you." she explained.
         "I'll do whatever it takes to convince this person. It's better than it being near impossible to get home. With this I have a chance of seeing my parents sooner than several years." I said feeling the excitement rising in my chest.
         "You do realize that making the journey I'm referring to won't be easy and you very much won't be able to do it on your own." she said.
          "I don't care. I'll make the journey on my own if I have to." I declared.
          "Easy there. I'll speak with Liam and Will. I'm sure the two would be willing to help you make the journey." she offered.
         "I can see Liam possibly making the journey with me but not Will. I'm sure that he's more than happy to be done with me." I said.
         "Will isn't as bad as he tries to make everyone think he is." Elizabetha stated.
         "Sure."
         "I will speak to the two of them on their way home from the farms. If all goes well you could leave in the next couple of days. In the mean time I suggest you take the day to relax. Gather your strength because if you do make this journey you'll need all the strength you've got." she advised.
         "I do have one more question."
         "Ask away."
         "Why was Will in my world to begin with?" I wondered.
         "He was following Marcus." she answered.
         "Any idea why Marcus would be coming to my world?" I inquired.
         "Not sure but that was what Will was trying find out. Sounds like from what Will told me Marcus caught on to him following him when you came across them fighting." Elizabetha shrugged.
         She gave me a sweet smile before leading me back to her front door. She assured me once again that she would speak to Liam and Will. I walked out of her house unsure of what I would do for the rest of the day. I didn't know any one besides her, Will and Liam. I wasn't even from around here so I didn't know what was done to pass time beside maybe work on the farms. I've never worked on a farm before so I wouldn't know what to do or if I would be of any help to begin with. It might be better if I just stayed out of everyone's way.
         I wondered around town not really going in any particular direction. As I walked around I watched the people. I did notice that everyone seemed quite happy. It was hard to believe that this world could be more dangerous than my world. With all the weapons of mass destruction around my world I would say everyone lived in constant fear of the next world war. Here everyone seemed happy and content with the simple things in life. Besides some nasty animals in this world like the Cruet it was hard to believe that this world could be worse than mine.
         I eventually found myself walking along a road that had nothing but fields upon fields of fruits as well as vegetables. With how close the forest tree lines were to the very edges of the farms and town this place seemed cut off. I kept walking past the farm land and eventually I came across some men using hoes to dig trenches in the earth. I stopped in my tracks when I saw both Liam and Will working out in the field. Like many of the other men they had taken their shirts off to work in the hot sun. With each swing of the hoes they were using the muscles in their backs seem to ripple with the effort of slamming the hoe in to the earth. I didn't notice that I was staring till I realized that Liam was actually smiling and waving at me. I clumsily waved back at him while Will glanced over his shoulder for a moment frowning when he saw me. He quickly turned his back to me not even acknowledging that I was there. Liam rolled his eyes at Will before flashing me one more smile before returning to his work.
         I kept wondering around town for hours trying not to stress to much about how much I was all ready missing my parents. I found myself back at Liam's home around the time the sun was finally setting. I managed to recognize it from the garden in the front yard. Walking up to the house I wasn't sure as to whether or not I should just let myself in. This was technically not my home so it didn't feel right just letting myself in. The house was two stories which assumed was added on to make sure that their was room for everyone. I stood outside for about ten minutes before the front door open.
         A little girl about ten years old stepped out. It wasn't hard to tell that she was Liam's younger sister. She had the same shade of blond hair that flowed down to her shoulders. She even had the same shade of hazel eyes as him. I even noticed that she had the same little crooked smile as him.
         "You don't have to stand out there all night." she called.
         I quickly made my way in to the house where the young girl closed the door behind me. I followed her to the kitchen where a woman was in the process of chopping up some vegetables. Her strawberry blond hair was pulled back in to a loose bun a few strands falling around her fair face. Her fair skin had several freckles across her nose. When she looked up at me with a slightly crooked smile I saw her hazel eyes and knew instantly that this was Liam's mother.
         "It's good to see you walking around again Riley. I'm Lissa and my daughter here is Melinda. You had us all pretty worried when Liam brought you to the house. You were quite pale." the woman said.
        "Well if it weren't for Liam I might have been a lot worse shape than just an injured leg." I said sitting down at the table with her.
         "My brother does like to be the hero." Melinda chirped.
         "Anything I can do to help?" I wondered looking out across the table that was covered in vegetables.
         Lissa smiled at me handing me another knife. I pulled some of the vegetables toward me remembering how my mom had taught me to chop fruits and vegetables. Sitting at the table with Lissa and Melinda I kept remembering all the times I had helped my own mom with cooking. I could feel my heart tighten when I thought about my mom. Seeing both Lissa and Melinda working together made me miss my own family all the more. I knew it had been only a couple of days since I came across Will but with each day that passed I longing to see them grew. I smiled at the two of them trying so hard not to cry in front of them. I didn't need to make them worry even further about me.
         We were just about finished with dinner when Liam and Will walked in. They were both thankfully fully  clothed but they both had smudges of dirt across their faces. While we finished up dinner for everyone the two of them went to get cleaned up for dinner. When they finally came back there was a large pot of stew and fresh bread ready to be eaten. Will took his food out on to the porch while the rest of use sat around the table together.
         "Did you and Will talk to Elizabetha?" I asked Liam.
         "Yes we did. Will isn't too happy about it but the two of us will be helping you make the journey." Liam answered.
        "Did she tell you who we're going to go see because she didn't tell me." I wondered.
         "The woman we're going to see is quite old to the point that no one is sure as to her true age any more. No one knows how she's managed to stay alive so long either but if anyone would know of a way to get you back to your world she would." Liam explained.
         "Elizabetha said that she doesn't help people easily." I pointed out.
         "No she doesn't but we'll worry about when we get there." he smiled. "We'll leave in the next couple of days. Will and I just have to get together some things."
         "Okay." 
         I never saw Will before I went to the room that Lissa said was mine for as long as I wanted. I was glad that Liam and Will were willing to help me. I wasn't too happy about having to travel with Will again but I will deal with whatever I have to so that I could get back to my parents. Closing the door behind me to my room there was a soft night breeze coming in from the window. Lissa or Melinda might have opened it to keep the house cool during the night. I curled up underneath the quilt feeling quite excited that I would soon be one set closer towards seeing my parents again. I was just about to drift off to sleep when out of nowhere I felt a hand over my mouth. I felt my heart begin to race when my eyes flew open to see a familiar scared face of Marcus. He had finally caught up to us.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Chapter Four-The Next Day

         I could hear people whispering. They all seemed to be trying to be as quiet as possible so as either not to wake me or to make sure I don't over hear what they are saying. I slowly began opening my eyes my head feeling heavy. Looking around I was lying in a small twin sized bed with a hand knit quilt tucked snugly around me. There was a small window with some sheer curtains hanging over them muting the light that shined in to the room. The only other piece of furniture in the room was a three draw dresser with brass knobs. The walls and floors were made of solid wood that had been smoothed out so that it didn't have any splinters in them. The ceiling had massive beams going across it to hold the roof up. It seemed to me that it could probably withstand a hurricane.
         I threw the quilt aside wondering if I even had my leg still after what the creature did to it. Looking down at myself I saw that I was wearing a simple tan shirt and pants. I was relieved when I saw that I still had both of my legs. I was even more relieved when I was able to wiggle my toes even though it was quite painful. My leg was tightly bandaged even though I could still see some dark spots were the wound had bled a little. It was very good that I had managed to survive but at the same time I was very sure that I wasn't going to be making any long journeys. Now comes finding Will so that I could punch him as hard as I could in the gut. 
         I tried putting a little pressure on my injured leg but the moment I did a stabbing pain shot through my leg up to my hip. I gasped in pain and fell back on to my butt on the bed. I took a few deep breaths before trying to put my full weight on my good leg. I noticed some soft shoes set down beside that bed that I took a little time getting my foot in to. I kept one of my hands on the bed for balance trying to think about how I was going to have to hop to get to the door. Just as I was going to start my first of many one footed hops towards the door it swung open. In walked the man that had saved me from the creature. He must have brought me here while I was out cold and properly bandaged my leg. A smile spread across his face when he saw me standing up even though I was a little wobbly at the moment.
         "Didn't expect you to be trying to move around so soon but I have been wrong about people before." he commented.
         "Was curious about where I was." I shrugged.
         "I'm assuming that you're pretty hungry. Wrap an arm around my shoulder and I'll help you get to the kitchen." he said walking over to beside me.
         "You never told me your name by the way." I pointed out as I placed my arm over his shoulders.
         "It's Liam Carther. Will told me that you're name is Riley. Did you really swing from a tree branch and kick Marcus in the face?" He wondered as we began slowly making our way out of the room.
         "Yes. Unfortunately he's not really the grateful type." I sighed.
         "Sadly he's never been very good when it comes to admitting that he needs help. Even as a child he would pout for hours when I would help him do anything because he couldn't do it himself. Don't worry he'll eventually admit that you were in the right for helping him. It may take years but he'll get there eventually." he laughed.
         "When that happens I'll be throwing a massive party hopefully with my parents because by then I would have made it home." I smiled.
         I could see Liam grin out of the corner of my eyes. I was trying very hard to just keep looking ahead of me as he led me down the hallway in to the kitchen. Underneath my hand on his shoulder I could feel all of his muscles tensed up as he helped keep my weight up. He definitely seemed quite different than Will. Even though after what Liam had said about knowing each other since they were kids it was hard to see them as friends. Liam seemed like he was a genuinely sweet person without any weight on his shoulders while Will seemed ready to punch the wall with all the anger he was holding in. Liam on the other hand was very much seemed at peace. It's pretty strange when you see two so very different people that are friends.
         In the kitchen there was a simple rectangle table with four chairs around it. The counters and cabinets were a deep cherry wood with brass nobs like the dresser in the room I had woken up in. There was what looked like an iron stove with a small fire burning directly underneath it. I could smell something sweet cooking inside the oven while on top of the stove was a pan with bacon sizzling. My stomach growled loudly as my mouth began to water. It's been a couple of days since I've had a decent meal and just the smell alone was making my stomach growl loud enough that it seemed to echo around the room. Liam helped me sit down in a chair at the table before walking over to the stove. I felt my stomach growl even louder when I saw him put together a plate of bacon and eggs. From the oven he even pulled out some fresh sweet buns. He placed the plate down in front of me along with a mug of water. I couldn't help but feel excited over the fresh food.
         "I guess I was right about you being hungry." Liam commented as I dove in to the food.
         "You can blame Will for that one. He wasn't too keen on making sure I was fed during the journey over here. He was more worried about getting me here as soon as possible. Felt like I was a thorn in his side he couldn't wait to get rid of." I shrugged.
         "I would gladly have just traveled through the night but I didn't feel like carrying you when you passed out." Will said from the front door.
        "Well I see you managed to survive. You're right Liam he is like a cockroach." I said turning back to my food. "Unfortunately for the cockroach Will isn't as good looking."
         Will glared at me while Liam fought to hid his laughter. Will made sure to shoot Liam a dirty look as well before turning on his heels storming away. I was relieved to see that he was all right but at the same time I wasn't going to be nice to him. Will doesn't deserve my kindness when he doesn't really show me any. The very few glimmering moments of Will's kindness doesn't trump all of the other times he's been mean.
         "I think he might actually like you." Liam grinned.
         "You can't tell by the wonderful way he treats me." I said rolling my eyes.
         "Will just don't let people in easily but I could tell that he was impressed with the way you jumped in to help him with Marcus even though it was very reckless." Liam said.
         "So Will wouldn't tell so maybe you will. Why were they fighting?" I wondered.
         "Short version of that story is Marcus Ducress works for someone that Will has made pretty angry and now that person is very keen on making sure Will is dead." Liam explained.
         "Why couldn't Will just tell me that?" I asked.
         "Because Will is one of those people that doesn't like to pull any one in to his problems. By helping Will you placed a target on your back. The person Will angered has made it clear that any one that helps him is to be punished in the harshest manor possible. The fact that Will is trying hard to get you somewhere safe means that he's worried about your life. He's mean to you only cause he doesn't want to become attached to you only to suffer pain if you got killed." Liam said.
         "You seem to know him very well." I stated.
         "I would hope so since we've known each other since we were five." Liam said.
         "Will said that his friends would be able to get me home. How soon could we leave?" I wondered.
         "Great he didn't explain everything to you." Liam sighed.
         "Explained what?" I asked.
         "There is a very slim chance that you'll ever be able to get home. Will told me you passed out during the time you two were passing through a portal. The only way you're going to get home is if a portal opens up again and that's no something that happens very often." Liam explained.
         "Okay not this again. I very much doubt we're in another world where magic is real." I groaned.
         "Really? Then how do you explain the Cruet that attacked you nearly ripping your leg off?" He pointed out.
         "So there are still things out in the world that can't be explained. I every much doubt that scientists of discovered every animal that walks the Earth." I countered.
         "Have you eaten enough?" Liam asked.
         "Of course I cleared the plate. Why?" I wondered.
         "Come on I'll show you the rest of town." he answered standing up.
         I didn't say anything about his convenient change of topic as he walked around the table to help me get to my feet. Together we walked out the front door on to a green yard with a small garden off to the right. In front of the house was a wide dirt road with more homes on either side. This town looked smaller than my home town was. As we walked around he showed me where there was actually a butcher that I could see through the open door chopping up meat with a bloody apron on. A little ways past the butcher shop was what looked like a tailor shop where people were going in and out carrying straw baskets with fresh clothing in them. In the center of town was an open area with a large stone fountain in the center. The fountain had multiple mermaid statues with their hands held out and water shooting out of them. Around the fountain were several people with stands selling a variety of fruits, vegetables and baked breads. This place looked like it had done a massive rewind. Maybe Will and Liam were part of an Amish community.
         "This place looks nice but what where you hoping to show me?" I asked.
         "Nothing yet. I need to get you over to the town doctor as you would probably call it. She told me to bring you down when you woke up." he explained.
         "All right. I'm assuming I need to have the bandages changed." I said.
         "Something like that."
        We walked past the fountain were some small children were playing in the water. I even saw some women dipping large jugs in to the water filling them up. I wasn't sure what a doctor in a town like this could do for my injured leg but at least I knew that I wasn't going to lose my leg. There were even some young women selling flowers out of baskets. A few people watched me curiously as I passed by. In a town this small I'm sure a new person was probably big news. It probably was also the fact that I was wearing what I woke up in still. I could see a couple people whisper a little behind their hands as I walked by. The most entertainment a small town like this got was probably gossip and there was probably a lot of that going around when I arrived.
         We walked to a house that was actually painted white. All around the porch there were large blue flowers blooming leaving a floral fragrance in the air. The front door was wide open to a room that had several cushioned couches in it. Liam led me to one of the couches easing me down before wondering off through a door. I was left alone in a room with three couches that had wooden frames on them and each one had a different floral pattern on them. Only moments later Liam returned with an elderly woman following closely behind. The woman had powder white hair that flowed to her waist. Her skin was worn with age yet her dark brown eyes seemed to sparkle with plenty of life in them still. She walked a little hunched I'm assuming from a bad back.
         "So you're the young woman foolish enough to try to take on a Cruet. You're very lucky Liam got there when he did otherwise there wouldn't have been anything to find. Cruet are known for eating the bones of their victims." the woman said sitting down beside me.
          "From my point of view the only thing foolish I've done so far is try to help Will." I sighed.
         "I like her Liam. She's got some fire in her." the woman chuckled.
         "You should see her give Will a run for his money." Liam smirked.
         "I'm Elizabetha the town healer. Go ahead and lift that leg right up on to my lap." she instructed.
         "So how does this work? Are you going to be using some herbal remedies to make sure the wound doesn't get infected?" I wondered.
         "You aren't from around here correct?" she asked.
         "No."
         "You tried explaining how things work around here?" she asked directing her question at Liam.
         "Of course but like Will she is quite stubborn. I figured it would be better to show her than trying to convince her of something she doesn't truly believe in." Liam shrugged.
         "Show me what?" I inquired.
         "Magic." Liam said.
         I watched Elizabetha unwrap the bandages around my leg. I flinched when I saw how torn up my leg still looked. It was no longer bleeding thankfully but you could still see some of the muscle from my calf. I was very much expecting her to pull out some kind of herbal remedy that she had put together from the long coat she wore. I had to blink a couple of times before I realized that her hands had turned a very light shade of green glowing ever so softly. The light spread up her arms running along the veins in her arms. What the hell was going on? Was I not as well as I felt that I was? Could I be hallucinating?
        Elizabetha then placed her hands over the wounded part of my leg allowing them to hover just an inch or so above the wound. I gasped as I saw the damaged muscle began to regrow sewing back together. Even veins that had been severed reattached themselves the blood all ready beginning to flow once again through them. Even the skin seemed to pull its self together till I could no longer see my muscles any more. When the skin had finished regrowing there wasn't even a trace of a scar left. It appeared as if I had never been attacked by the Cruet to begin with. It took me a moment to realize that my mouth was hanging wide open but I couldn't seem to register that I should close my mouth.
         "Take it for a spin. Got to test out that I did my job properly." Elizabetha said snapping my attention back to her face.
           I stood up tentatively thinking that I would feel the same sharp pain I had felt earlier when I tried standing. I was quite surprised when I didn't feel any pain. In fact my leg felt better than ever. I didn't feel any soreness from walking for two days straight. How had she healed my leg?
            "How did you do that?" I wondered.
           "Sweetheart I'm a healer. It's what I do. It's what my mother taught me to do and her mother before her. I come from a long line of healers so I would hope that I have the skill and power to heal a wound like yours." she explained.
         "But it seemed like it was-"
         "Magic?" Liam finished for me.
         I guess what they say is true after all. Seeing really is believing. Even worse though is that I was now very much screwed on how I was going to get home.
         

Monday, May 6, 2013

Chapter Three-Arrival

            "Wake up. We're not in a situation where you can have the leisure to sleep in till noon." Will said nudging me with his boot against my shoulders.
            "Could give me a chance to actually wake up." I groaned sitting up.
            "I'm sorry little princess but I'm not here to serve you." he replied.
            "It would kill you to be nice wouldn't it?" I sighed getting to my feet.
            "Of course. Kindness is like poison to my evil heart." he said sarcastically.
            If I wasn't sure that he would be able to deflect or even dodge a slap to the face I would have all ready done it by now. Will didn't even give me a chance to eat anything before we started walking. I was extremely happy that I had packed so much food because as soon as I woke up my stomach was all ready growling. I was pretty sure that my growling stomach was what had woken me up and not Will nudging me with his boot. Rather then going through the whole day starving I just ate while we walked. I was very hopefully that he was right about us arriving at our destination by tonight. Maybe they would have something more to eat than trail mix and fruit that was a little mushy. 
            Every step I took was like pins and needles were being stabbed all over my legs. My muscles were so heavy that every step my feet felt like they were dragging a little. I did everything I could to make sure I kept up with Will having a good feeling that he wouldn't be kind enough to slow down. I very much doubted he would be nice enough even to take an hour break. I had a feeling that if just fell over because my legs couldn't carry me any further he might just keep going or even just drag me by my feet. I've always considered myself fit but even a fit person would because tired and sore after walking on a changing terrain for a day. If I managed to make it all the way to our destination without falling over I would be impressed with myself. 
           As we walked I began thinking about why Will was such a hostile person. It seems like his personality was one that was meant to keep people at arms length. In a way he seems to want to make sure that no one could get close to him and that he doesn't ever want to care about another person. I began wondering what could have happened in his life that he became such a closed off person. From what I've observed so far if he was truly a bad person he wouldn't have bandaged my hand. He most definitely wouldn't be taking me to people who could get me home. A bad person would have just let Marcus kill me and not think twice about it. He definitely has a chip on his shoulder that was most likely the size of a boulder and weight twice as much. I eventually pushed it from my mind pretty sure that after tonight I wasn't going to being dealing with him much longer. I was sure that he was just going to dump me on his friends and go on his merry way forgetting all about me.
            Every so often my mind would drift to the fact that I've now been gone an entire day. I'm very sure my mom is on the verge of a heart attack not knowing where I was. The one thing my parents had always made sure I did was to communicate with them when I became more independent and wanted to do more things on my own. The fact that I didn't say anything to them since the one text message I had sent them before going out exploring was most likely raising red flags in their minds. I couldn't help but constantly checking my cell phone as we walked in hopes that I would get some reception. Maybe if I could at least call my mom and dad so they knew that I was at least still alive. I was worried that my phone's battery would die before I ever got a chance to give my parents word that I was okay. I was very tired and sore but I was okay.
            "So do you plan on being silent all day today as well?" I wondered.
            "What is there to talk about?" he asked.
           "Well you could always tell me why this Marcus guy wants to kill you so badly that he would kill someone for helping you." I pointed out.
            "Short answer to that is. It's none of your business." he snapped.
            "No need to bite my head off. Was just curious since now I have a target on my back because I stuck my neck out for a complete stranger who can't even be decent enough to say thank you." I stated.
            "I'm not going to say thank you because all you did was make things worse for me." he said.
           "So the fact that by helping you Marcus wants to kill me as well is making things worse for you? I'm in the middle of nowhere unsure of whether or not of when I'll get to see my parents again. As far as my parents might even know is that I got hurt while wandering the woods. They might even think I'm all ready dead." I said not realizing that I had said it all in one breath.
            I was startled when Will suddenly stopped in his tracks turning around to face me. He took a deep sigh rubbing his forehead with his left hand before saying anything. "Look I know that the situation you're stinks but riding me for a thank you isn't going to change it. Yes you saved my life but honestly I would rather  you hadn't helped because now you're in danger. My life is all ready complicated enough without having to worry about what happens to you. So if you don't mind please just keep walking and stop worrying about trying to make conversation."
            As he turned around to continue walking I found myself slightly stunned. That was probably the closest thing to something nice he's said since the moment I woke up yesterday. I was so stunned that when I finally realized that he was getting quite a bit a head of me I had to nearly run to catch up to him. Maybe he wasn't as bad as I thought he was. There could be a ray of light somewhere in the dark heart of his. Now the question is would he manage to not be an asshole during the rest of the time we were walking. My hopes weren't really that high.
            When the sun was getting closer to the horizon I began to get worried that we weren't going to reach our destination by the time Will said we would. I was not looking forward to a third day of walking if that turned out to be true. He could have just told me that we would get there by nightfall so that I would keep going. For all I knew there could probably be a weeks journey ahead of us. I don't think I've ever disliked someone so much that I've gone out of my way to help. So when he suddenly stopped in his tracks causing me to literally run in to him I wasn't sure what was going on.
            "Are we there?" I asked.
            He didn't answer me. Instead his entire body went tense and his eyes darted every which way. I looked around curious as to what he thinks was near by. Could Marcus have caught up to us all ready? Did Will see him near by? I could feel my heart begin to pound in my chest as I looked around in the growing shadows.
            "Will?"
            "When I tell you to run I need you to run as fast as you possibly can." he replied.
            "Why? What's out there?" I questioned.
            "Please stop asking questions and just do what I say." he pleaded.
            I quickly shut my mouth as I heard rustling coming from behind me. I slowly turned around my heart feeling like its pounding so hard against my chest that you could see the imprint of my heart against my ribs. Stepping out of the shrubs in to what light was left for the day was a creature that I've never seen even on the discovery channel. The thing had the body of a tiger and it was probably the same height as a horse. It's long thin tail had what at first looked like long thin fur but was actually needles at the very end. It's skin was covered in silvery green scales that rippled with each growl that escaped it's throat. The creatures short pointed ears was pressed down flat across it's head. It's cat like eyes were narrowed watching us closely as if it was waiting to see what we were about to do. Everyone of its paws had long thick claws that were digging deep in to the earth at its feet. I wasn't sure what this creature was but I was sure that it was fair from friendly.
         I was very sure that the creature could hear that my heart was on the verge of a heart attack. Everything had started out so peacefully just two days ago. Now here I was staring at a creature that looked like it could shred my chest with one swipe of a claw. Even better there was a man out there looking for Will and me to kill us. How has things gotten this bad? I jumped when the creature suddenly hissed at us opening its mouth. As soon as the creature opened its mouth two long thin curved fangs folded out like a snake. I had a suspicion that those fangs were lethal in more than one way.
            Out of nowhere Will grabbed me around my waist tossing me behind him. I stumbled a couple of steps before I managed to regain my balance. At this the creature though hissed again and I saw every muscle in the creatures body tense up.
            "Run!" Will shouted at me.
            He didn't have to tell me twice. I turned on my heels and began running as fast as my tired legs could possibly carry me. I wasn't even sure of which way I should be going but I just kept pumping my arms at my side trying to get as far from that creature as I possibly could. I tried to block out the sounds of the creature hissing and growling that was soon followed by crashing sounds coming from behind me. I kept running even when my lungs felt like they were ready to burst. I wasn't sure how far I had ran before I finally came to a stop placing a hand on a tree to keep me from falling over. My breathing rattled in my chest as I tried to calm my breathing down so that I didn't feel like I was possibly having an asthma attack. While I was catching my breath I began looking around just now thinking about the situation I was now in.
            I was now standing in the middle of nowhere without even the faintest idea of which way civilian was. Even better was the fact that I had just taken Will at his word to run from that creature. What if that thing had killed him in the very second I had turned to run? That creature could be only seconds behind me looking for a second entree. I could feel my heart tighten a little though when I thought about the fact that Will had just pretty much sacrificed himself so that I could get away. For as much of an ass as he has been this entire time he didn't deserve to be that creatures meal. I groaned to myself a little as I felt my better nature get the better of me. I began to run back the way I had come in hopes that I would actually find that Will was all right. It was easy to see which way I had come from since I pretty much had barreled through the forest leaving a very obvious trail.
            As I was walking I was keenly aware of how silent everything had gotten. I couldn't even hear birds singing or the squirrels chattering with each other. The only time I've ever heard silence like this in a forest was when there was a predator near by. The forest goes silent as if the smaller creatures were praying that they weren't found. At this point I was praying along with them that I wasn't found by the predator either. I wasn't sure what I was going to do when I found Will but I knew that I had to do something. My dad did tell me several times that my kind heart would get me to trouble one day. This definitely qualifies as that day.
          I stopped in my tracks when I finally reached the where I had left Will. The area around me was completely torn up. There were gashes in the trees with long chunks missing from the bark. In certain places the earth had been blasted apart leaving craters in the ground. There were even places in the branches of the trees where branches had been broken off leaving gaping holes. Looking around I couldn't see any sign of Will anywhere. The patches of dark liquid splashed here and there didn't look like it was blood so I was assuming that Will was out there. If that liquid was the creatures blood I couldn't help but wonder how Will had done so much damage to the creature. If my memory was correct when I had began running all will had were his pants and boots. From what I could tell he didn't have any kind of weapon on him to fight with or even defend himself. How could a single person fight back without a way to defend themselves?
            My body stiffened when I heard the snapping of twigs from behind me closely followed by a hissing sound. I slowly turned around to find that creature standing on a few feet from me. I could see deep gashes all along the creatures side that was still dripping blood. Even one of the creatures eyes were shut because of the wound running across. It was very clear that this thing was royally pissed off and it was looking for something to take its anger out on. Unfortunately for me it has decided to make me to target of its rage.
           It watched me for several minutes as its tail twitched from side to side. It seemed like the creature was trying to decide if I was worth the trouble. Sure enough though it decided that I was going to be worth the trouble after all. In a single fluid motion it tensed every muscle in its body before leaping towards me. I felt my heart skip a beat as I watched the creature fly through the air towards me. I managed to snap out of it just in time to throw myself out of the way. I rolled a couple of times before coming to a stop scrambling back to my feet. The creature didn't even blink before it turned to come after me again. I quickly picked up the nearest branch that I felt like would make a good weapon. As the creature came toward me mouth open showing both long fangs. I slowly backed away trying to put distance between me and the creature. One bite or slash of those claws I was in very deep trouble.
            The creature made tiny leaps towards me swipe at the air in front of me. I kept backing further and further away trying to figure out what I was going to do. When my back hit a near by tree I felt my stomach drop about ten feet as I realized I had been backed in to a corner. Seeing this the creature became quite excited it's tail moving around some much it sent dirt flying every which way. My body was shaking so hard from fear that I was having a hard time keeping my grip on the tree branch in my hands. I really need to learn to listen to Will in the future when he tells me something if I survive this time.
           In that moment I felt something in me come together. I had to survive. I had to get home to my parents in one piece so they know that I'm all right. I needed to get back to them so that I can hold them and feel their comfort. I gripped the tree branch tighter in my hands ready for this thing to try and attack me. I didn't have to wait long before it finally tried to come at me. It bared its fangs out at me trying to bite in to my side saliva dripping from it's fangs. Without fully thinking it through I swung the tree branch with every ounce of strength I had. I hit the creature square in the jaw so hard that the branch actually snapped in two. The creature stumbled a few steps clearly dazed seeing stars. I took that moment to get out of the corner I had gotten myself in. Just as I was darting around the creature it managed to get some of its senses back enough to swipe at my legs with its claws.
            I cried out in pain as I felt each of its claws slash through my right leg. I tumbled to the ground my ankle twisting slightly as I fell. Sheering pain spread through my leg as I felt warm blood began to spill out of the open wound. Looking down at my leg there were three open gashes along my calf that I could see the muscle from. There were pieces of flesh hanging limply blood dripping from them. I was definitely not going to be running for my life any time soon. The creature was all ready watching me trying to decide if I would hurt it again or if it could come in for the killing blow. If I saw Will again I'm going to punch him in the gut. Things just keep getting worse and worse all because I want to help him.
            The creature let out a final hiss as it bounded toward me. I wanted to close my eyes so badly so that I didn't have to watch as the creature killed me. I just couldn't help but keep my eyes open as the creature got closer and closer to me. I wanted to cry and scream at the same time because things like this shouldn't be happening to someone like me. I only ever try to be a good person and make my parents proud of me. I wasn't going to get to see my parents ever again and my parents won't ever know what happened to me.
            All of the sudden the creature stopped in its tracks. Both its eyes were open wide while it's mouth hung open as if it was surprised. I wasn't sure why it had stopped until out of nowhere blood sprayed out of the creatures throat. It staggered a few steps before falling over on to its side. What the hell had happened? The creature was clearly dead now and I wasn't going to be killed by it. It took me a moment when I realized that I wasn't alone any more. Standing over me was a man maybe the same age as Will. His long blond hair was tied back loosely with what looked like a leather cord. He had very fair skin with light hazel eyes that had flecks of brown in them. I felt my breath catch in my throat thrown away by how handsome he was. It took me a second to realize that he was holding two long daggers that were dripping in the blood from the creature. Had he just saved me?
            "This is going to hurt but I need to wrap your leg." he said.
            "O-okay."
            He then pulled off his leather vest that he wore before taking off the white cloth shirt. He quickly wrapped the shirt around my leg using the sleeves to tie it as tightly as possible. I let out a hiss of pain when he tied it. I could all ready feel myself getting light headed from all the blood I was losing. I was feeling so light headed that I was having a hard time forming a thought enough to wonder how he had moved so fast.
           "You must be Will's friend Riley." he smiled.
           "You know Will? Is he okay?" I wondered.
        "Yes, we've been friends for a very long time. Was surprised to see how worried he was when he arrived. He assumed you would get to town before him since he told you run ahead." he pointed out.
         "So he's all right then?" I asked.
         "Of course. He's like a cockroach. He can survive anything." he smirked.
         "Good, cause when I see him I'm socking him in the gut." I muttered.
         I saw his eyebrows knit together with worry as his hand darted out catching me as I feel backwards. I was beginning to see little black dots dancing all over my vision. The world seemed to be tilting slightly as I felt a chill begin to spread through my leg. The last thing I remember before everything went black was the man lifting me off the ground. Maybe he hadn't gotten there in time after all.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Chapter Two-Waking Up

         When I felt my eyes begin to slowly open I couldn't stop myself from sighing with relief. My eyes opening was a good sign because it meant that I was at the very least alive. I had to blink several times as the sun light hit them. I must have out for quite some time because the sun light was so harsh that I had to squint for a few minutes before my eyes adjusted. My body on the other hand felt sore on every inch. It was the same feeling you receive when you're shocked by static electricity. My entire body tingled and hurt as if I had stood in side one of those orbs that has the electricity traveling to the glass sphere from a center piece. Opening my eyes I found myself lying on the ground branches covered in leaves above me.
            I figured I would find myself staring up at the sky with towering canyon walls on either side of me. I thought that my body would be entirely broken from hit the ground yet I was able to sit up with no issue. I didn't feel like I had a single broken bone. My legs were bruised and cut from running through the woods without really paying attention to where I was going. Even my shoulder felt sore from how hard that guy with the tattoo had been pulling it. Was it possible that I had just dreamed all that? I could have fallen asleep without realizing it and had a very vivid dream. The only thing is if all of that had been a dream then where did all the cuts and bruises on my legs come from? You don't just magically wake up to find your legs with cuts and bruises on them. Yet if it wasn't all a dream how would I have survived a fall from that broken bridge in to a canyon twenty stories down? 
              "About time you woke up."
            I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard someone speak. Turning around I saw the man with tattoo on his back sitting with his back against a trunk of a tree. He sat with one knee close to him with his arm rested on top. In fact he looked a little irritated at the moment with possibly a hint of boredom. I groaned when I saw him realizing that everything that had happened wasn't a dream at all. In fact if it was all real how in the world had we ended up here instead of turning in to pancakes at the bottom of the canyon?
            "What happened? The last thing I remember is us plummeting to our deaths." I questioned.
            "What happened was me having to ruin a good shirt to save your nosy butt." he answered.
            "No reason to be rude." I pointed out. "What do you mean you ruined a shirt?"
            "You really are oblivious aren't you?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
            I took a second to take a harder look at him before I realized he wasn't wearing a shirt any more. I could feel my cheeks get very warm when I noticed his bare chest. Every muscle in his chest was well defined along with a few white scars around his abs. What the hell had happened to his shirt? I don't think anything that we had done would have caused his shirt to be ruined.
           "When you're done ogling me do mind telling me what you were thinking in attacking Marcus?" he wondered.
           "Not too sure any more seeing as you're clearly ungrateful that someone was willing to stick their neck out to help you. From where I was you looked like you needed help so I did what any decent human being would do." I explained.
            He didn't respond right away watching me as if he was trying to figure me out. I wasn't too sure what his deal was but I've never met someone who was as ungrateful for help as he was being right now. Sure there are quite a few people in my life that don't even say thank you when I help them but I've never had someone question my motives for helping. After a couple of minutes he took a deep breath seeming to calm down a bit his shoulders seeming to relax.
            "What's your name anyways?" he asked.
            "Riley, am I assuming you're going to tell me your name?" I replied.
            "No wonder you're such a tomboy with a boys name and you're a girl." he smirked. "I'm Will."
            "Are you this rude to everyone you know?" I wondered.
            "Well seeing as saving you has caused me quite a bit of grief then yes." he replied.
            "Great. I managed to help out a complete jerk." I sighed standing up.
            "Where do you think you're going?" he asked noticing that I was fixing to leave.
           "I'm going home before my mom has a heart attack wondering what had happened to me. If you don't mind I would prefer to distance myself from you as much as possible seeing as you are just an ungrateful jerk and that Marcus guy could show up at any moment." I said making sure that my backpack was secure on my back.
            "What are you going to do if you run in to him out there on your own?" he wondered.
            "I'll give him one hell of a fight." 
            "Well that would be an extremely short fight especially since you managed to burn your hand." he said pointing at my hand.
            Looking down at my hand I then noticed that there was actually black fabric wrapped around the palm of my hand. I had been so focused on figuring out what was going on and the fact my entire body was sore I hadn't noticed how much my hand actually hurt. How had a burned my hand? I do remember the dagger I was holding was warm but it didn't feel hot enough to burn my hand. So when had I burned my hand during everything that had happened.
            "You shouldn't have picked up his rinket blade. Those things burn anyone that picks them up that isn't the original owner or a blood relative." he explained
             "That doesn't make any sense. What your describing sounds more like-"
            "Magic?" he said finishing my sentence for me. "I would think so since the dwarves that make them charge a pretty penny for them." 
            "How hard did you hit your head back there?" I asked.
            "Figures you'd be skeptical about magic seeing as you come from that world." he said shaking his head.
            "So you expect me to believe because you say so that magic exist and now you're apparently from another world. Sounds like solid information from someone who took a pretty nasty hit to the head." I said rolling my eyes at him.
            "It's not my job to convince you or even to protect you. So if you want to wonder off to go home be my guest but it might be hard to find home when you don't even know where you are." he stated.
            "I know these woods better than most people that has lived in the area their entire life. I can find my way home even through the dark. I'm sure I'll get home in no time." I said.
            "You aren't going to find your way home. Try taking a hard look around you. If you know the area around your home so well then you should be able to recognize where you currently are." he sighed waving his hands around him.
            I frowned as I began looking around me. I felt my jaw tighten when I began to realize I didn't recognize the area I was in at all. The bark on the trees around me seemed lighter than what I was used to seeing in the forest around my home. Even the leaves on the branches had a different shape to them. The grass under my feet was growing quite thick with tiny white flowers poking up every few feet. As far as I could remember flowers like this don't grow anywhere in the forest around my home. Where in the world was I? I was very clearly far from home and if I go wondering aimlessly I could potentially make things worse by getting lost. I had no choice but to listen to what Will has to say.
            "So if you're so smart where are we then?" I sighed.
            "We're pretty deep in to Maemoor Forest. I know of a town nearby where I have some friends that might be able to help you get home and out of my hair." he answered standing up wiping dirt off his pants.
           "I didn't realize I was such a bother to you since I am the one that saved your life." I pointed out.
           "I would have been just fine without your help but since you did butt in it's not my responsibility to make sure you don't end up dead." he said. "Don't be mistaken I'm far from a hero just don't feel like cleaning up the mess when Marcus catches up."
            "If I thought you were some kind of hero I would think they wouldn't be so rude to the person they seem to claim they are about to protect." I said.
           "Fine by me. Now can we get moving. I'm pretty sure Marcus is still looking for us right now and I would rather not have to fight him again while having to protect you." Will said.
            "Lead the way."
         Even as I began to follow I was getting the feeling the maybe I should go the opposite direction. Something in my gut was telling me that following him would just lead me in to more danger. Yet as much as I boasted that I can take care of myself I clearly remembered how they fought. If I were to come across Marcus again on my own I wasn't sure how much of a fight I would be able to put up. From what I could tell Will was clearly an ass but at the same time he didn't seem to really wish me any harm. He did wrap my burnt hand which was something he didn't have to do. At the same time he could have just left me on my own in the middle of nowhere. For now I was just going to have to be very careful with him. 
            As we were walking I was a couple steps behind Will. Since I was behind him I was able to see his bare back with the full tattoo exposed. It appeared to be a tribal tattoo of wings that had some delicate tendrils that came out the wings around his shoulders. Each feather in his tribal tattoo had so much detail to them that I nearly tripped over my own feet staring at it. I've never seen such a simple tattoo with so much detail in it at the same time. I was pretty sure though if my dad could see me walking with a shirtless man with an enormous tattoo on his back he would have fit. He always sees those with tattoos as bad news and would prefer if I stayed far away from someone that might be trouble. So far since I met him my dad may be right about him.
            While we were walking Will didn't bother with trying to make conversation with me. My mind began to wonder and began to think about what Will had said to me earlier. He seemed so convinced about that dagger I had picked up after Marcus had dropped was magical. I had pulled back the bandage around my hand and was able to see the clearly burned skin. I was now going to have a permanent imprint of the hilt from the dagger on my palm. Was it possible that he's right about the dagger being magical? The burn on my had is evidence that the dagger clearly burned me but with it being enchanted that was the hard part me to believe. I was even having a hard time believing that we're in another world in the Maemoor Forest. I could probably believe a magical dagger but not traveling to another world. Maybe when we got to his friends I can get home where things actually make sense.
            We walked for what felt like hours and Will refused to stop till the sun was actually setting. I fell on to my butt my feet throbbing from all the walking we had done. I've never spent an entire day walking before so my legs felt like they were lead. I barely had a moment to rest before Will pointed out we need to collect some fire wood to make a campfire. Once we had a good pile of wood that would keep the fire going well in to the night. The ground may be hard but after all of the walking we did today it felt as soft as my mattress does back home. I opened my backpack glad that I had it still because I had made sure to pack with it with quite a bit of food. Will on the other hand muttered something about going hunting and disappeared in to the darkness.
            As I sat there in the darkness munching on a bag of trail mix my eyes kept darting every which way. The fire at my feet made the shadows around me jump and dance. I kept seeing things that weren't there. The fact that Marcus is still out there only made sitting around the fire alone all the more unnerving. I wasn't too sure how I was going to fall asleep tonight wondering if Marcus was going to catch up to us in the middle of the night. I sighed a little when Will came back but I felt my stomach tighten a little when I saw two dead rabbits in his hands. He then pulled out a knife from inside his boot and actually skinned them in front of me exposing the rabbit's muscles. I immediately put my food back in my backpack no longer hungry after witnessing the rabbits get skinned. I had to look away when he stabbed long sticks through the rabbits so that he could cook them over the fire. I've cooked meat over a camp fire in the past but I've never killed the meat myself. My family and I always just got the meat from the store. I didn't even want to know how Will had killed those two rabbits. The thought alone unsettled me a little.
            "How much further to do we have to go?" I asked when he finally finished eating.
            "We should get there by tomorrow night." he answered lying back on to the ground hands behind his head. "I suggest you get as much sleep as you can because we aren't stopping till we get there."
            "Great." I muttered.
            I laid back on to the ground as well placing my backpack underneath my head for some cushion. I laid there for nearly an hour staring up in to the branches over my head. I could just make out some of the night sky between the branches. I could tell that the night sky was clear from how bright the stars shined and the way the moon light came through the branches. I was really hoping that Will's so called friends could help me get home because I could all ready see my mom hiking through the forest looking for me. I knew my mom well enough to know that she would keep looking for me till she found me. The last thing I would want to do is hurt my parents and with every minute I'm gone I was causing them more pain. When I finally fell asleep it was through tears that silently fell from my eyes.