I am always plagued by the same dream each night. I always find it weird that every time I wake up the next morning I forget what I’ve dreamt about, leaving me with an unsettling feeling everyday as if I’ve forgotten something that I shouldn’t have.

Somehow today was a special day because I was able to remember the dream. I wish I didn’t. I still remember it…

I was on top of a cliff overlooking a beautiful field. The field had a plethora of flowers of every kind and colours that were magnificently scattered everywhere. The sun shined brightly with barely any clouds in the sky. The view was breath taking.

I felt a hand grasp mine. The feeling of its warmth and roughness sent a shiver of excitement over me.  The hand was very familiar; it made me feel very safe. I felt myself smile and looked at my hand, which was held by a strong yet gentle hand. I wanted to turn to look at who this hand belonged to but for some reason I couldn’t. I looked back at the beautiful scenery.

I blinked.

That was when things started to look like a nightmare. The once beautiful and radiating with life field was now a bloody warzone. I saw millions…no billions of men and women gathered fighting each other, weapons, shields, and horses were flapping everywhere. Wails, screeching, and wars cries could be heard from where I stood. I wanted to look away but couldn’t. I felt an abnormally strong gush of wind; it seemed to form in the middle of the battlefield creating a powerful tornado that swept many of their feet. Unorthodox ripples of the soil made soldiers topple over, there were even places in the field where the earth cracked and opened up, sending many men to their grave. Flames were thrown from many directions burning men through their course. Lightning erupted and soon it was raining but it did not deter the bloody war. Unusual movement of water could be seen. Large quantities of water gathered hovered in the air enveloping men inside causing them to move hysterically and drown.

The sky was now covered with dark clouds making the scene even grimmer. Crows and vultures gathered in the once sunny sky patiently waiting for the war to end and have their fill of the dead’s cold bodies.

Why? Why was I so calm? Why did the unnatural natural disasters that were happening now seem as if it were controlled? Asif someone wanted it to happen. Was that even possible? Those were the questions that filled my mind.

Suddenly I noticed the gentle hand that held mine was gone. Where? Where did that person go? I wanted to scream at top of my lungs, find the person with the gentle hand and runaway from the seen that was unfolding but I couldn’t. ‘Don’t leave me!!’ was what I wanted to say but nothing came out.

I blinked again.

The war was over. I dared to look down at the field. There were bodies everywhere. Blood covered carnages scattered everywhere on the ground. Weapons were sticking up from the ground. The field of flowers looked unrecognizable anymore. I found lots of craters formed by fires, small lakes of blood and water mixed together on some parts of the place. One by one the flock of vultures that were flying in the sky flew down to where the bodies were. Their beaks were drenched with blood as they took their fill.

My body shook with fear. My body was frozen from the spot. I couldn’t breathe properly. I heard myself gasping for air as I struggled to breathe.

“I have finally found you, my Beloved,” a vague eerie whisper echoed through the air.

That was when I woke up, my body drenched with cold sweat. My mind was a bit disoriented from the sudden awakening. I quickly sat up, which I ended up regretting when I felt dizzy. I let out a shaky breath. Before I woke up I heard something. It was a very faint sound that made me think if maybe it was just me over reacting because of the dream for a second but I’m sure I heard it.

It was an ominous dream and just thinking about it gives me shivers down my spine. The dream…no…it…felt like I was actually there. I…don’t know why but the dream gave me this dreaded feeling that something was going to happen and it was going to happen very soon…

2: Chapter 1 : Meeting

I stared at the clear blue sky. Big white fluffy and soft looking clouds covered the sun. My left hand reached out the sky. I flexed my hand as if I was grabbing a hold of something far away. I could hear the croon of birds hidden among the trees in the forest. I smiled softly, relaxing as I listened to the birds singing. My outstretched hand created a shadow for my eyes as the clouds slowly moved, uncovering the glares of the sun. I turned my hand over so I could see my palm. I stared at my black eclipsed shaped birthmark situated in the middle of my palm. So many things have happened because of this little birthmark…

After a minute or so of staring, I pulled back my hands and used it cover my eyes.

I daydreamed for a bit.

I was lying on the wooden roof of my house. My house was located in the middle of nowhere or at least somewhere uninhabited by people. The walls were built using logs hammered on top of each other and the roof was slightly in a slope. The house was set up in a chink-style profile and the corners of my house interlocked in a dovetail-style. There were wooden windows adjacent to each other making the house bright, if opened during the day. There was also a small fireplace located in the middle left part of the house where I can cook and acted as a heater during the winter season. Despite my house being small, it was a two-storey house. My bedroom was located at the second floor while the toilet and the kitchen was located in the first floor. There was a ladder built into the side of the house, which enabled me to be able to climb up to the roof to rest.

I have been living alone in this house for 4 years now, in this house in the middle of nowhere, away from civilization. I didn’t always live here. No. I used to live in a big house overlooking the town of Villguard. I didn’t have any fond memories of my childhood as far as I remember…

“Ah”, I breathe in. There was a raven soaring up in the sky. I watched it glide and dance around the sky. The villagers from where I used to live in always thought that ravens were a sign of bad omen but to me they were a sign of freedom. They were always soaring up in the skies, like nothing can hold them down. They were so free and boundless. They can fly anywhere and whenever they want to. I remember when I was a child, I would always wish upon the first star I see every night if I could become a bird. A raven.

I sighed and stood up, trying to straighten the black tunic dress that went down just above knees and fixed up my brown pouch bag that was tied to my waist. I quickly made my way down the ladder.

When I landed softly at the ground I turned around to face the dense forest. It was time to get food. I started walking east from where I stood. I weaved through the bushes and trees, carefully avoiding twigs sticking up from the bushes.

My first year in living alone was terrible and I don’t know how many times I thought I was going to die but as the years passed I was able to learn the necessary skills needed in order to survive in the forest. Skills such as foraging, the ability to identify that plants are poisonous and which ones are safe to eat or have healing effects, how to hunt fishes or other animals for food, although I always avoid to do the later option and other basic survival needs.

I stopped when I saw a berry bush. I crouched down to inspect them. Edible. I smiled and picked up a couple of berries and placed them in my brown pouch that was tied around my waste.

I stood up and looked around to figure out where I am currently at in the forest. I started walking again heading to the west where I was standing. As I kept walking towards that direction the louder the sound I could hear the water from the river.

I finally saw the clearing. I slowed down and started walking toward the clearing. There was a moderately wide river stream that stretched out for miles. I breathe in the fresh and crisp air. I approached the riverbank and crouched down to dip my hand in the water. The water was very cold.

I started washing my hands.

I saw something black from the corner of my eye. I stood up and walked up to the black unknown thing. I approached it slowly and carefully. I narrowed my eyes when I looked at it. It was…human. A man. He was wearing a black cloak with a silver plate cloak pin that hid his clothes underneath and black leather ankle-length boots with cylindrical leather buttons tied with leather lacing but what caught me eye was the bloodstain that was barely visible against his black cloak. I looked at his face to see if he was conscious. He wasn’t.

I sighed. What should I do?

I blinked and examined his face. He looked quite young, probably the same age as me. He face was slightly tanned, pure black hair that was slightly wet and had a chiseled jaw. His face looked quite…innocent but I am not that naive. He must have been in a fight since he was injured.

But the same questioned remained. What should I do?

“Um…wake up Mr” I stuttered, my voice was a bit hoarse from the lack of use.

He didn’t move nor responded to my voice.

“Wake up,” I said a little louder. I was a bit freaking out because this is the first time I’ve seen another human apart from myself in this forest and a dead one at that.

What if he really was dead? What should I do?

I looked around and found a twig on the ground near the trees. I ran to it and grabbed it. My breath was shaky as I reached out to poke the body to see if he was still alive. I saw my hand shaking as the stick moved closer to the body. I poked his chest lightly and screamed when his chest moved. I dropped the stick on the ground and fell on my butt.

What should I do? He’s still alive. Should I help him? But what would I do if he woke up? Or worse, what if wakes up and attacks me? Should I even help him? I want to help him but... No no no, I shouldn’t be mean and leave him here. He’s still alive and it would be bad if leave him here. Oh my god! What if leave him here and a bear attacks him? But he’s already dying so that shouldn’t matter.

I sat there a few feet away from the body and argued with my self.

Wait. Why am I considering leaving him here to die? He’s another human being. I’m not going to leave him here to die. That’s right, I should help him.

I walked towards the body and crouched to its side.

“Umm, I’m going to help you know,” I stuttered, feeling awkward about the situation.

I leaned and moved my hand to lift his cloak to expose his left arm, doing this exposed his hidden sword hanging from the black strap around his waste. Okay don’t freak out. Don’t get scared, he’s not conscious. I grabbed his right wrist with my right hand while I place my left hand to his back an pushed him in a sitting position. I placed his right arm around my shoulder to support him and put my left hand around his waist.

I tried standing up and stumbled a few time. Heavy. I walked slowly trying not to trip because I knew if I were to trip I would have a hard time standing up again.

The distance from the river to my house was quite far. After 30 minutes of staggering and trying my best not to fall over, we finally reached my house. I let go of his arm for a moment to open the door, revealing the inside of my small house.

The floor was covered with wooden floorings. To the right was a narrow wooden stairs that led to the second floor, where my bedroom was. The inside was quite spacious. There a small square knee-height table situated in the middle of the room. The fireplace was positioned in the middle-left side of the house that was currently burning off wood, making the inside of the house quite warm and cosy. On the opposite side of the room is the kitchen. There was a built in cabinets were I stored the vegetable I harvested this week and a small counter.

I entered the house, half-limping because of exhaustion.

I quickly went over to where the fireplace was, I crouched placed him in front of it but still quite a distance him away from the fireplace. I stood up and stretched my muscles, especially my shoulders and back that had gone sore from the person’s weight.

I quickly ran outside my house and went to the right side of my house. I stopped when I saw the herbs and plants I planted. They were special herbs that had healing properties.

I grabbed a handful of herbs, which I placed inside my pouch. I then went to the small stone well that was a couple of feet away from me. I grabbed one of the buckets that were on the side. I tied the handle of the bucket to the rope that was dangling down the well. I then grabbed the lever and started turning it, which brought the bucket down. I then turned the lever the other way to bring back the bucket, which was now full with water. I grabbed the bucket and placed it on the edge of the well and untied the rope. After that was done, I held the handle and walked back inside the house to tend the wounded teen.

I placed the bucket full of water next to the wounded teen and took out all the herbs I took. Before sitting down next to the person, I grabbed a clean towel that was sitting on top of the table.

I looked at the unconscious person and sighed. Now for the hard part.

“Please don’t wake up,” I whispered quietly as I tried to take his cloak of. I fiddled with the silver plate pin before it cooperated with me and I was able to take it off.

I gasped when I saw his uncovered body. His wound was much worse than I though. The blood soaked his black tunic.

Ok just relax. I then noticed the sword that was placed inside a scabbard on his side.

I quickly grabbed the sword and dashed up stairs to my room where I placed it on the side of my bed. Now that the dangerous looking sword was safely away from the unconscious man, I went back down where he was.

I stared at his blood-soaked shirt. Only then did I realize my predicament. How do I take his tunic off? Wouldn’t that be indecent? What do I do? What do I do?What do I do? I freaked out.

I took a deep breath and lightly slapped my cheeks with my two hands. This is a life or death situation for this person; I should stop being a child and do this.

I gulped. I took the hem of his tunic and closed my eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered before ripping his tunic off him. The sound of cloth ripping echoed through the air.

I opened my eyes to look at his wound.

There was a long slash wound from his torso that went all the way to his chest. I examined the wound closely and was relieved that the wound wasn’t deeper than I expected.

I took the clean cloth and dunked it in the bucket to make it wet. I squeezed the cloth to take excess water from it and started cleaning his wound.

I repeated this process till I was sure that his wound was clean. I then crushed the herbs and placed it over his wound. After that I ripped some cloths that were clean and tied it around his wound to keep the herbs in place and seal the wound itself.

I sighed when I was finished.

I looked at the wound I tended and felt proud of my work that was then when I realised that he his upper body was exposed. I flushed and fiddled with my hands. I took a peak at the unconscious boy. He was looking better now, less pale. I noticed the subtle movement of his chest. He was breathing steadily, which was a good sign. His body was well built, lean and muscular but not overly muscular. This was the first time I’ve ever been close to some who wasn’t Mrs Regina, much less a guy at that. I flushed at that thought.

I stood up and went upstairs again.

I opened a small chest that was situated just next to my bed, with the window just above it. I took out my brown cloak that I’ve been storing inside it and went down stairs again.

I leaned down next to the body and slid off his wet cloak off him. I placed the black cloak next to me and placed mine over him.

I hope this would warm him up.

******

It was finally night time and he still hasn’t woken up yet. I closed all the windows in my house to keep the warmth in.

I had changed my clothes and was now lying on my bed, curled up on my left side in a fetal position. My left hand next to my face while right hand was on my side.

I was feeling really tired today.

I yawned.

I wonder what I’m going to do when he wakes up. I guess I’ll just worry about it when he does. And with that thought I fell asleep.

******

I blinked.

I had just woken up and my eyes were still feeling tired. I sat up and rubbed my eyes to keep me awake. My long brown hair was all over the place and covered half of my face. I placed my hand in front of my mouth and yawned.

I stood up from my bed and walked down stairs. I glanced at the wounded man. Still unconscious.  I walked up to the fireplace and tossed in more firewood that I grabbed from the side of the fireplace to keep the dwindling fire alive.

I went to the opposite side of the fireplace, where the built in cabinets were. I opened one of the bottom shelves and took out a black pot. I the opened one of the top shelves where I stored some herbs and vegetables I harvested in my garden.  I picked put some herbs, potatoes, garlic, onion, tomatoes, carrots and capsicum. I decided to make a vegetable soup.

I placed all of the ingredients on the counter. I then grabbed a knife and started dicing the vegetables. I decide to make more just in case he wakes up.

After I finished dicing up the vegetables, I went outside to get some water from the well. I grabbed the bucket that was on the side of the well. I then tied the handle of the bucket to the rope that was dangling down the well. After that I grabbed the lever and started turning it, which brought the bucket down. I then turned the lever the other way to bring back the bucket, which was now full with water. I grabbed the bucket and placed it on the edge of the well and untied the rope. This has always been my morning routine.

I then walked back to my house only to stop at the front door.

I then noticed that the wounded teen that I had been taking care of was now awake.

He was sitting upright with his right hand supporting him up. My cloak that used to cover his upper body was now resting on his lap. His torso was now exposed, showing off his tanned lean but muscular body, except for some areas that were covered with the cloth that covered up his wound. He was looking at the fireplace. His side profile revealed his long and slender neck that showed off the barely visible adam’s apple. I was unable to see his eyes because his black tousled hair covered them. Some of strands of his hair were lightly curled at the end.

He turned his head towards me.

I panicked and did the first thing that came to my mind. I grabbed the doorknob and slammed the door close.

I flushed.

I was able to get a small glimpse of his face before I closed the door. He looked very different now that he was awake. He didn’t look sickly anymore. He had green eyes, which were bordered by long, dark eyelashes, high cheekbones that were pronounced and a straight nose.

But what stood out the most were his eyes. They so pronounced and so green, even greener than leaves. It was so captivating. His eyes were sharp and narrowed. If I’m right, I’d say he was glaring at me but there’s no way he’d be doing that. I mean I saved his life. Right?