This is the first chapter of my first story. I would be pleased if you read it and give me feedback.

Tripped : Talamh - Book one (soothsayer)

Dakota follows Quinn into another world. A savage world very differnt from ours. She must go through many struggles to survive and find her way back home. In this world she grows, makes new friends, and learns about secrets she didn't even know she had.

 

'My attention is drawn to the liquid swirling TV Screen. I am overcome with the urge to touch it. I reach forward to touch it. My hand doesn't meet solid glass as I predict. What the, my hand feels like I am covering it in oil, and it goes far past the distance it should have stopped.

I try to pull my hand out but it clings to me slowly pulling me in like quicksand. The slippery sensation slinks up my arm. A chill runs down my spine at the wrongness of it. Before long it covers me and I find myself no longer in the library.

I am in a dark void full of glowing mirrors. They're lined behind me and in front of me, all showing different images.'

 

 

WARNING: I have printed out a copy of this story and sent it through the mail to myself. This is a legal way of proving that I wrote this story before posting it online and before anyone who might copy my work. Plagiarizers out there you have been forewarned.

2: Prologue

“Just run,” I tell myself, “focus!” My breath is ragged and my entire body hurts. Every step takes effort and my body longs to stop, but I know better. I pick a spot in the distance. A large, bright red tree; it stands out against the many trees surrounding me.  I wont stop until I reach it, I promise myself.

“I can’t stop!” I tell myself hoping that saying it out loud will strengthen my resolve.

I am not running on a path but through the colorful, plush, jungle vegetation. The ground is wet and slippery, slowing down my process. I don’t know how long I have been running or where I am going. I am just running blindly for my life.

The branches of the trees and bushes around me claw at my skin and clothes. It’s almost as if they are trying to stop me. The trees block out the sun, leaving me in shadows, shadows that at any turn could be hiding more predators. The sounds of strange animal howls and ghostly cries fill the air around me.

What are those monsters? The question brings the images of the blood and bodies back into my mind. I shake my head, casting the images away. Don’t, I can’t think about it, now I need to run. Still I can’t help but wonder if this is real or if I have lost my mind. Maybe this is a dream, a nightmare.

I can’t believe this is happening. How did things come to this point? What do I do after I escape those monsters? How much longer can I keep this up? I am tired, hot and sticky. Maybe I have lost them. What if I am already safe and just wasting my energy? But do I really want to look behind me to see?

My foot catches and for a few heart stopping moments I try to shift and regain my balance.  I realize instantly that I have made a mistake as my ankle twists and gives way beneath me. I cry out as lightning sharp pain shoots up my leg.

As I pick myself off the ground I become aware of two things. First, I am covered in blood. Second, there is something behind me, and with my luck, it isn’t good!

3: Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I wake up, panicked and sweating. My heart rate is soaring and my breathing is heavy like I just ran a mile. What a nightmare, I really thought the monster was going to kill me! For once I am glad to wake up, a rare occurrence since I am definitely not a morning person.

VBEEP. . .VBEEP. . . VBEEP! The loud screeching of my alarm clock breaks me from my thoughts. The sound drives me crazy as I blindly hit the snooze button and flip the off switch for good measure. Finally I’m free of the awful noise. For a couple of minutes I am content, lying comfortably in my warm cocoon of blankets in an aware but not truly awake state.

Suddenly Gran is knocking at my door. “It’s time to get up! You’re going to be late for school!” Why can’t I be late for the last day of school? I argue in my mind as I rush to get ready. There is no point arguing with Gran. At least school gets out early, I tell myself as I enter the kitchen.

“Happy birthday girly, did you have a good rest?” Gran asks me as she finishes packing my lunch.  My Gran is a tiny, sixty-five-year-old with long white hair that is usually tied in an intricate bun on the top of her head. She has bright blue eyes and a hundred watt smile.

“No, I had the worst nightmare ever.” I answer before telling her what little I can remember of my ‘delightful’ dream.  For a second Gran freezes. The moment passes quickly. She is smiling now as she hands me my lunch box.

“Today’s a big day,” she told me cheerfully. “Enjoy your last day of school, and please try to come home before five o’clock. I have something important to discuss with you.” She gave me the usual hug, one of her famous to-go burritos and an umbrella before pushing me out the door. “Have a good day, I love you.” She calls out before closing the door.

 I spend the bus ride to school pondering Gran’s actions. For the last couple weeks Gran has been acting strange. She was jumpy and she was having occasional mood swings.  I also caught her looking at me when she thought I wasn’t paying attention.  The hints were so subtle that I couldn’t call her on it, but she seemed to be anxious about something. It is driving me nuts! Hopefully this talk she wanted to have would help.

 

God, he is hot. Today Quinn wore a dark blue hoodie that emphasized his intelligent sapphire eyes in such a great way.  I’m not even mad at the hoodie for hiding the sexy six-pack underneath it. He is at the popular table, of course, surrounded by all the attractive boys and girls of our school. 

The she-devil, Brittney-worship-me-Carson tries to cling to Quinn like a leach. She keeps trying to grab hold of his arm and plays with his curly red hair. She is shamelessly flirting like the dumb bimbo that she is.  Quinn tries to regain personal space, and continue his conversation with his friend Dylan. Her irritating high-pitched giggles radiate from the table like a plague.  I catch Quinn rolling his eyes at her and giving Dylan a look.

“EARTH TO KOTA.” Annie shouts into my ear.

“WHAT?” I screech back at her.

“I have allowed you to stalk Quinn all year, but would it kill you to move your attention to me and talk at lunch?” She asked giving me a pointed look.

“Sorry,” I apologize, guilt rising in my chest. Annie is my best friend and she is as beautiful as I am plain. Annie has rich, curly, chocolate brown hair. My hair is a mousy brown. Her eyes are a warm honey. Mine are your average brown. We both have good skin tones. Ann is average height with Va Va Voom curves. I am a freakishly tall stick figure. God, that sounds bad, but there is a difference between pretty and beautiful.  I’m praying I’ll fill out as I get older. Wait ‘STALK?’

 “Hey, I am not a stalker!” I am so not a stalker! Sure I follow Quinn after school unbeknownst to him. I have also secretly taken some photos of him, but it’s not like I have some crazy picture shrine in my room dedicated to him, and I don’t collect his hair, and chewing gum to make voodoo  dolls or love potions!

“You could have fooled me,” she teased with a laugh. “But really what’s the point? You know you’ll never have the courage to sit at the king’s table. You haven’t even spoken one word to him all year.”

“I can’t help it, he is so hot!” I tell her. I’m not delusional. I know I don’t have a chance with the king of the school. Most people don’t even know I go to school here. For some reason people just forgot me. It’s like I have no presence. Even my teacher Mr. Walker asked if I was a new student half way through the school year. I have two classes with him.

“Oh look, they’re passing out the year books.” Ann breaks me from my thoughts. We get in line as the year book members hand out the books.

“Name?” Katie asks me. I have three classes with her!

“Dakota Palmer!” I answer her with all the spite I can muster. But my tone misses its mark leaving her unaffected as she looks through her list of names. She crosses my name off before giving me a book and moving to help someone else.

I decide to forget it as I walk back to my seat.

“Look Kota, my photo’s awful!” I look at her photo and see her beautiful smiling face. She looks great.

“You look great! What are you talking about?” I ask in disbelief.

“My hair is messy.” She explains. “They wouldn’t let me fix it!” At closer inspection of the picture her hair was a little messy.

“It’s barely noticeable.” I assure her as I flip though freshman section of the book searching for Quinn’s face. I find it quickly and am amazed by photo. He is in a uniformed dress shirt with a sash and all and a crown on his head. Under his photo is written ‘King’ Quinn O’Sorra.

“What?” a shout comes from the kings table. A burst of laughter rose from the group. “I can’t believe they photoshopped my picture!” Quinn roared and charged toward the yearbook club.

“Can you believe that?” I ask Ann. She doesn’t answer me so I look at her. She is franticly searching through the yearbook upset.

“Ann? What’s wrong?”

“You’re not in here!” Did she just say . . . I look at the names after Quinn. “I’ve looked all over, and the only photo you’re in is the Bellevue group photo!” John Oakland, Nancy Paluzzi. I’m not here! No Dakota Palmer! Tears are running down my face. I’m so embarrassed. Am I really so forgettable.

 

After a ton of tears and a meeting with the principal, Ann and I make our way out of school since it releases early today. The principal promised to collect all of the books and replace them with new ones that included me.

Smack. I run in to a guy’s hard, muscled chest and bounce off onto the floor dazed. This is it the moment in every werewolf book were the heroine meets him, and he realizes she’s his destined mate. With any luck I will look up into those blue eyes. I look up into brown eyes.

“Dylan?” Yes I ran into Dylan.

“Do I know you?” he asks looking at me for a moment before asking, “Are you new?” I feel tears falling again. Why can’t anyone remember me?

“Don’t be silly, Dylan.” Quinn interrupts. My heart flutters at the sound of his voice in hope. “Just because we don’t have any classes with the girl doesn’t mean she doesn’t go to school here.” My heart plunges to my stomach and my tears break into a waterfall. Ann pulls me close.

“Idiot Quinn, Kota sits right next to you in history!” James, Quinn’s friend and Ann’s brother, scolds. At least he knows my name. “Girls I believe we made birthday plans at the mall.” James sends Quinn a glare. “I’ll call you later.”

“Sorry, Kota!” I hear Quinn shout as we leave.

4: Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Three mocha-lattes and two banana splits later, and I am still in the dumps.

"Why am I so hard to remember?" I cry before scooping in another sweet bite of chocolaty banana goodness.

"Why don't we make you unforgettable?" James asks shocking Ann and I. He has been so quiet the last half hour I almost forgot he was there. "Think about it, a makeover, a head to toe new look, a new you."

"Impossible." I tell him.

"No, It's a great Idea!" Ann shouts out. "I can believe I didn't think of it first."

"I can't do it. I can't just walk around in new clothes and pretend to be different." I am who I am, pretending to be someone else wouldn't fool anyone.

"You don't need to be different." James assures me. "Kota your personality is not the problem. It's your looks. You don't stand out and you blend in to the background. If we change that I'm sure we could get people to realize you're there." His words wrung true and a small flame of hope grew inside me.

"Well we can't just sit here." Ann shouts. "Let's get shopping there is work to be done! Our first stop is banana republic!”  This is no surprise to me as it is Ann’s favorite store. Once inside, and loads me up with an array of shirts, T-shirts, pullovers, blouses, cardigans.

“Ann you don’t expect me to try all of these on do you?” I asked, appalled and straining under the weight of the mountain of clothes.

“Yes I do. I’ll make sure you try on and every one.” She told me with the evil glint in her eye. Oh, this is going be a long day! “Now get to it!” Ann orders before shoving me into the nearest dressing room.

And so began the never-ending process of changing into different shirts and being rated by Ann and James. James took it all in stride cheerfully playing judge to each of my outfits. I can’t help but wonder if he has done this before.

From that huge selection I had to try on we settled only on two cardigans one bright purple and the other a cute basket weave, five tee’s all lace, six colorful blouses.

“Finally were done.” I sigh with relief as I put on my original shirt.

“What makes you think were done ?” Ann asks outside the door “girl we are only beginning.” She informs me.

“What?” I ask horrified.

“Oh come on, I would’ve thought it obvious did you try on even one pair of pants?” Ann asks as is, it’s the most obvious thing in the world. Now that I think about it I hadn’t.

“No, I haven’t tried any on.” I answer reluctantly.

“Exactly!” Ann answers in a sickeningly cheerful voice. “As tall as you are, your legs are your best feature. So we have to find you the best set of pants. I think we should just stick with skinny jeans.”

I groan and accept the dressing room only need to find and waiting for me with a huge mountain of skinny jeans. Back into the dressing room I go.

 I end up with eight pairs of skinny jeans two brightly colored, one black floral, one polka dot, one pinstripe, and the rest  dark wash. Finally it’s over.

It is only when we reach the counter that I look at the price tags. Oh my God! $89 for Jean’s and the cheapest set of the tops is $49.50. I’ve never spent that much on cloths!

“Ann have you seen the prices on these?” I ask horrified.

“Oh come on!” Ann snaps at me. “It’s not like you’re not rich! And if you’re too worried I’ll pay for it.” She’s right. We don’t go to a small high dollar private school because were all poor.

“No I’ll pay for it. It’s just a lot!” I tell her. Today I ended up spending more in this one trip than I had all of last year. I can’t help but wonder how Grand will react when she finds him much I spent. I know she won’t be upset. She’s been harping on me for years to go shopping for new clothes with her. Though I’m sure the look on her face will be priceless.

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I watch Annie and her brother drive away. They wanted to give me a ride but I refused I need time alone before facing Gran. My eyes sting in a way that warns me of coming tears if I’m not careful. Today ended on a high. I bought myself a whole new look. But it now over I won’t get to see Ann and James until august. Unlike the rest of my classmates I despise summer, nothing to do and no best friend to hang with. Get over it! I force myself to take a deep breath before I begin making my way to the bus stop.

The light rain that has steadily pored all day became a waterfall in an instant. The umbrella Gran gave me this morning did little to help, thanks to strong winds that are steadily getting stronger. How long until the bus?  Should I just forget the bus and call Gran for a ride. Looking out at the watery world around me I decided to forget the bus.  I look around to see what building is closest and decide on the library.

I enter the library soaked and shivering. Mary the librarian waves at me before concentrating on the customer in front of her. I make my way towards back of the building to my favorite window nook. I set my shopping bags down and open my purse. Sticking my hand in the dark void, I feel around for my phone. My fingers graze the smooth glassy surface, I pull the phone out and I call grans number. I wait and listen to the phone ring before Gran picks up.

“Hi, girly, are you having fun with Annie?” She asks

“I had fun with her yes, but our time is already over. She is headed to the airport now.” I inform her.

“Sorry sweetie that stinks,” she responds.

“Yeah, Anyways Gran it’s raining cats and dogs can you pick me up at the library?

“Sure thing girly, I have a few last minute errands will you be fine there for thirty minutes?”

“Yeah, no problem . . . well I’ll let you go.”

“Bye girly, I love ya,”

“I love you to Gran,”

I don’t feel like reading so I look out the window and concentrate on the rain drops sliding down the window and covering the world outside. I enjoy the beautiful and relaxing roar of the rain . . . shhhhssshhhhh . . .

“Teehee!” A loud giggle catches my attention. I open my eyes though I don’t remember closing them. I see him, Quinn with a girl I don’t recognize. Baby-sitting no doubt. About nine or ten years old she is petite and cute with flowing golden curls. She is also rocking a blue and white ruffled Lolita dress that looks awesome on her. Her hand is over her mouth as she unsuccessfully tries to muffle another giggle.

They are walking away, I get up and follow. The giggles stop but are followed by hushed whispers. I can’t make out the words. What are they talking about? I wish I could join them. If only I had to courage to go up and talk to him. I have tried too many times this year but I always lose my nerve.

I follow them to the stairs to the lower level of the library. The area is open to the public but it isn’t used often the shelves are full of very old reference books. They made their way to a mirror in the back of the room. The mirror is huge It is at least seven feet high and four feet wide. There are strange symbols barely visible in the glass and the glass has an antique frame. I hid behind a bookshelf nearby. What are they doing? Should I try to join them?

Quinn starts to write on the mirror, more strange symbols I don’t recognize. After he was done they began to chant together. The same chant over and over. Weird, what’s going on? The air feels strange it seems to be cracking with energy. I begin to feel refreshed and excited. 

The symbols on the mirror steadily glow with each word they speak. So it’s actually a TV screen, huh?  Is this a game they play? The surface of the mirror changes, it become almost liquid. It almost looks like magic. 

The chanting stops as they end it with a new word “Talamh.” An itching in my nose causes me to sneeze. I duck behind the bookshelf as Quinn searches the room around him. I will count to five before I look again and hopefully he won’t be looking in my direction, one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi, four Mississippi, and five Mississippi.

I quickly look at where Quinn is standing; only he’s not there. They are both gone. I move towards the mirror searching the library for any movement. My attention is drawn to the liquid swirling TV Screen. I am overcome with the urge to touch it.  I reach forward to touch it. My hand doesn’t meet solid glass as I predict. What the, my hand feels like I am covering it in oil, and it goes far past the distance it should have stopped.

I try to pull my hand out but it clings to me slowly pulling me in like quicksand. The slippery sensation slinks up my arm. A chill runs down my spine at the wrongness of it. Before long it covers me and I find myself no longer in the library.

I am in a dark void full of glowing mirrors. They’re lined behind me and in front of me, all showing different images. Directly behind me I see the library. I look at each of the mirrors. Most of the images are inside rooms but a few are outside.  I watch as a girl puts on her make up. She looks like she is in a bedroom and is in only her underwear and a t-shirt. I wave at her but she clearly doesn’t see me.

I look at the other row of mirrors and see a group of foreign people eating in a dining hall. Their clothes a look almost medieval but the room looks Persian. The tables are full of strange food and there are people dancing on a stage in the middle of the room. The mirror next to it shows a jungle. I turn back to the first row of mirrors

This is creeping me out. I don’t know why but it is.  I realize I don’t know where the mirror that leads to the library is. Panic turns to surprise as the mirrors move. It’s like the mirrors are on an invisible conveyor belt. The mirror I came from appearing before me. But with the sudden movement I jump. I am falling backwards and the slick filling that covers me leaves.

 “Ow!” Pain hit me as I land on my elbows hard. I move my gaze from the blue sky to my elbows they are badly scraped, but I don’t look at them for long. My eyes gravitate to the hard surface I landed on. Coble stone, real Coble stone like the kind I saw at the holocaust museum in D.C.

Directly in front of me is a mirror identical to the one I traveled through. I cannot go through it. It is blocked by a barrier of cool glass. I look around and find I’m in the small ruins of a temple. A pure white stone temple intricately carved with a variety of animals and birds that I cannot recognize.

This can’t be real. There is no way this is real! It just isn’t possible, I was in the library, it’s raining outside, and it should be close to five o’clock. The warm feel of sunshine on my skin followed by a cool gentile breeze defied my argument.

I exit temple and Look at the world around me, it’s clear that I am somewhere else completely. Instead of being surrounded by city sounds I hear faint noises that sound like birds. The sun seemed to be climbing in the sky not descending. Even the sky looks different while still blue it seems to have a purple quality to it.

Beyond the stone temple there appears to be a rainforest. A rainforest, really? The plant life is strange most of the trees and vegetation are bright blues, yellows and greens, with small bursts of bright orange, purple, red and coral. There is no brown.

 There are two options. First choice: I am having a really realistic dream like I had this morning. Second choice: I have finally got my wish to be the heroine of some weird fantasy novel by crossing over to a different dimension. To be truthful I would have preferred a romantic supernatural story with a hot werewolf or a cool science fiction with aliens and space ships, but who am I to judge? Number one is more likely anyway. Where is Quinn? Is he here too?

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I’m burning; the humid heat is cooking me like a chicken in a rotisserie. All I can see in front of me is the dirt path I have been traveling on and the tropical colored trees surrounding it. I have been on this path forever and I’m lost. I can’t find the cobblestone path I left in my search. Why did I leave the ruins? It was my only shelter and there was the mirror that I traveled here through.

 Stupidity, after searching the ruins I decided to see where the stone path leads, maybe find Quinn, the middle of nowhere. Why? Because I am an idiot. I’m stupid and lost. Why can’t I ever get anything right? How did my dream become so boring and, hot? Will I wake up? Is this a dream? I’m starting to believe it’s not.  What do I do? I left the mirror, and I have no idea where it is. What if it is my only way home? Man, I am so dumb!

A growl from my stomach alerts me to a new fact. I have no food or water! Part of me longs to just ditch the dirt road for the shade of the rainforest. But leaving the road means getting even more lost. I don’t know how to survive in a jungle.  There could be any amount of poisonous plants or bugs, not to mention dangerous predators. On the up side it would be far more interesting and I might find a river and fruit to eat.

What I would give for a piece of pizza right now, french-fries would also be good. Oh, and cheesecake with lemonade. Yeah a cold glass of lemonade would . . . There is a flash of movement at the corner of my eye. I turn to the movement to see a group of wagons and people. They are a good distance away.

“Hey!” I call out. As I run towards the group I recognize that I am at an intersection where my road met another. Finally some luck!

“Hey,” I call again, while flailing my arms like a lunatic trying to wave down a plane. I don’t care how crazy I look I get to see people! It feels like it has been forever since I last saw someone. As I move closer I am able to really see the people in front of me.

The excitement that was building up vanishes. They are rough and rugged looking men, ten of them. I don’t like to be judgmental but one can’t discount a first impression. My impression of these guys is trouble and danger. This thought is highlighted and supported as the men reveal weapons’. Fear strikes me as I watch the bow strings being pulled back with arrows pointed at me. Rude much?

“Are you alone girl?” A harsh voice catches my attention. The owner is a smaller man with red hair and brown eyes, although his most distinguishing features were the broken nose and scarred neck. Man the dude’s ugly. Even with my poor observational skills I can tell he is the one in charge.

What do I say? Do I tell them I’m alone and lost? Somehow telling them the truth feels like a very bad idea. The man smiles a cruel smile sending chills down my spine, my heart rate soring, and not in a good way.

“I think she’s alone boys’, grab her,” he instructed the men.

Crap! Why me? I turn and start to run. Something massive hits me, I meet the ground. My head is spinning. There is dirt in my mouth. My body hurts and I can’t move. Panic rises in my chest I feel so heavy I can’t breathe! Why me?

5: Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I wake up in a daze. My head is throbbing with pain. I’m lying on something hard. Opening my eyes I see metal bars. What? I rush to stand; my head hits something hard above me. Pain blinds me as I fall back down. I view my surroundings. I am in a cage. There are other people, girls my age, curled up as if hiding in the cage with me. Past the cage I see the men from earlier eating around a fire.

 “So you’re finally awake?” the voice comes out of nowhere. I whip around to face the sound. The owner of the voice is a pretty girl my age. She has a cute heart shaped face with bright green eyes, a button nose, full lips, and her hair red curly ringlets. I can’t help but be a little jealous of her looks. She is everything that I wish I looked like. “Are you alright?” she asks me. I nod, not to answer the question but to dismiss it.

“Where am I?” The question comes out harder and more demanding than I intended, but in my defense I am freaking out here!

I should be waking up in my own bed. Not in a cage! I now know this isn’t a dream. It’s real. I know this because A) People don’t sleep and have dreams with in a dream. B) Dreams don’t last this long. C) I am just not this imaginative.

Now I’m in a cage? How do I get out? Where is Quinn? Grandpa and Gran are probably worried sick. I bet they’ve called the cops by now. Will I ever find my way home? I feel tears running down my face.

“Hey, breathe, just breathe. You really need to calm down.” Did she really just tell me to calm down? I shoot her a glare and take a deep breath. 

“Where am I?”

“You’re in a cage.” No freekin duh! I send her another glare. Like that isn’t the most obvious answer in the world. I take in another deep breath, change of tactics.

“And why am I in a cage?” I ask this in a sarcastically cheerful tone, to emphasize my displeasure at her earlier answer. She rolls her eyes at me.

“Well you got caught by traders were did you think you’d end up?” She answers with a little attitude of her own.

“Traders?”

“As in ‘slave’ traders, you’re a slave now, like me.” There is no attitude in her voice now just a kind sadness.

“What?” There’s no way on god’s green earth I’m going to be someone’s slave. I begin rattling the bars of the cage, trying to find a way out of this cage. The girl’s voice is calling me but I chose not to concentrate on the words.

Part of me knows if there was a way out, the other girls in this cage wouldn’t be here. But a stubborn part of me needs to try and doesn’t want to give up. My heart skips a beat when I see the door to the cage. There’s no lock? How is that possible? I’m going to get out of this cage!

I rush to the door and push it. It doesn’t open. What? I try again. It doesn’t budge. After multiple attempts I give up. I sit down, the metal bars jabbing into my back as I lean against the cage. The girl from before is standing in front of me just watching.

“I know it is hard to hear, but there isn’t an escape, at least not here.

“Why won’t the door open?”

“Darcie’s a mage; he has a spell on the door.”

I almost protest magic isn’t real, but how did I get here? I came to a different world through a mirror. What was that if not magic? Then again just because I don’t know the answer doesn’t mean there isn’t one. I decide to postpone any mention of magic. Who’s Darcie?

“Who’s Darcie?”

“He’s the leader of the traders, the guy with the nasty neck scars” She points to the creep from earlier. “Be careful of him. He’s not the kind of guy you want angry at you.” Like I need to be told that I’m not stupid! The man’s dangerous.

The men seem to be packing up their camp. Wait packing up? I look at the sun in the horizon. Isn’t the sun setting?

“What time is it? How long have I been out?” I ask the girl.

“You were out for a day, it’s just after sunrise. I was getting worried you wouldn’t wake up. I’m Caera by the way.” Caera, that’s a name I haven’t heard of before. I start to feel ashamed by my behavior. Caera has been in this cage much longer than me trying to help and all I have done is given her attitude. 

“I’m Kota, sorry if I have been rude. I’m not use to waking up in a cage.” I look into her eyes with hope that she accepts my apology for what it is.

“No worries we all adjust differently.” She replies. “So where are you from?”

“What?” The question throws me off balance. What do I say? I know I cannot tell her the truth, but I don’t know enough about this world to create a believable lie.

“While I can tell you’re not from around here.” She tells me.

“How?” I ask. What about me gives me away?

“Well, your clothes are a dead giveaway. Now they are fairly plain. They still are better quality than ours.” She replies. I look at her and at all of the other girls in the cage and notice that despite their close being brightly colored, they are roughly made in very simple in design. All of the girls are wearing dresses made by either animal or we that came nowhere near the perfection of modern day technology.

“Well I was traveling with my family to see some of the temples here and got separated from them.” I tell her, hoping that can be seen as an answer to her question. On another note, how are we speaking the same language? I look around me, searching for something to change the topic. My eyes bring me to the creature pulling the wagon.

I had assumed that were being pulled by horses, but man was I wrong. The creatures are like none I have ever seen before. It at the body of a draft horse, but instead of having hooves it had paws. Its face reminded me of a dog and it has horns like a goat.

The wagons jerks throwing me of balance a causing me to crash back in to the metal bars. Ouch, as I steady myself up right my gaze meet the blue eyes of a little boy. He looks no older than five. The boy is in a different wagon and is surrounded by other kids; most are older than him but none a day over thirteen. Seeing them makes me want to cry. They don’t deserve to be locked in a cage. They should be at home with their mothers.

“There’re five wagons separated in groups,” Carea explains to me, “men over twenty-five, women over twenty-five, boys from thirteen to twenty-four, girls from thirteen to twenty-four, and kids under the age of twelve.”  So many people, I look around my cage and count twelve girls including me.

“How many people are we talking about exactly?” I question.

“And why exactly should I know the answer to that?” she responds.

“Never mind.” Twelve and five so around sixty people?  How do I escape? I ponder this question as the minutes turn into hours, the time leaving me with no answers. As I think the sky breaks into a wet rain that does nothing to help with the hot temperature of this horrid place.

“Come on!” Carea voice breaks me from my trance. “It’s time for lunch.” I look up and see the girls lined at the entrance of the cave.

“They let us out for lunch?” I can’t seem to disguise my excitement as I ask. Carea lifts an eyebrow at this question. I wish I could do that.

“Yes they let each wagon out separately in supervised groups to gather food in the forest. So please don’t try anything with me around, okay?”

 As if I would try to run for it at the first chance I got. No I need to plan and think things through. Maybe steal some tools to help me survive. I will also need to figure out what direction to go. I need to see how closely we are watched.

“Gather our food?” I ask.

“What your think they’re going to take the time to collect out food for us?” She replies as we leave the cage.” I tune out the rest of her words as I watch our guards. They separate us into four groups of three. Each group has two guards watching them.

My guards aren’t as attentive as they should be and spend most of their time talking to each other. I decide to focus my attention to the fruit we are gathering, as I think it will be easy to escape their sight in the future. 

Paying close attention I watch as Carea picks a variety of leaves, fruits, mushrooms and berries, and grab the same plants.  The fruits of this world are strange they come in various shapes and sizes. One of the fruits Carea grabs is green and the size of volleyball and is strangely very light. She cries with joy at the sight of fruits that look like chicken sized robins’ eggs. She takes one and eats it, after spitting out a blue seed she continues gathering more. Another fruit she picks is purple and reminds me of a Sand Dollar. Most of the mushrooms’ look normal but for huge popcorn shaped one that is spotted black and white.

“Okay girls times up so start heading back!” One of the guards shouts.

Back in our cage I set my thoughts away from escape, and concentrate on the strange new fruits before me. We were given bowls, dull knifes, spoons and forks to eat with. I see Carea cutting up her leaves and mushrooms and mixing them in her bowl. Should I continue to copy her?

No I think I should figure out what everything tastes like. I start eating the leaves first. They taste of veggies like green beans and asparagus.

Next I try the mushrooms. The first mushroom tastes like soy sauce and meat combined. I can’t really place the kind of meat it tastes like. The second mushroom tastes like a toasted rice tea. The third tasted like a nutty mushroom. This is actually fun. Trying all these new foods and seeing weather I like them or not is the coolest thing that's happened since finding this world.

I move on to the berries. I try the bright blue berry first. As I pop the berry into my moth my taste buds instantly pucker. Oh my God, that has to be the sourest thing I have ever eaten! I carefully try the next few berries and while the flavors are new to me, they are not as surprising as the blue.

The next fruit I grab is the green volleyball, but how do I eat it? I look around and see one of the other girls cracking it like an egg. It looks like it has whipped cream inside it. I watch as the girl dips’ her other fruits in it and another girl is scooping it out with her spoon.

Cracking open mine I and scoop out a bit of the cream with my spoon. It tastes like bananas. I try the purple fruit next; its flavor is like a mix between a grape and an apple. Finally I try the blue egg. It tastes like chocolate covered strawberries! And the gooey inside is a bright yellow. Yes definitely the best thing since coming here.

6: Chapter 4

Chapter 4

It is the end of the day and I haven’t made any progress with my plan to gather supplies. For the most part the slavers ignore us. I haven’t been outside of this cage since lunch. They don’t let us out for the bathroom either. We have a bucket. Just thinking about it makes me angry. And according to Carea they won’t let us out for dinner or breakfast. Apparently slaves only need to be fed one a day.

My stomach feels like it eating itself, god I am so hungry! I look at the traders gathered together by the fire. They have some animal I don’t recognize roasting over it. Whatever it is it smells like pork.

“So how did you like your first day?” Carea asks a sarcastic tone. I refuse to give that question an answer. Well if I can’t get supplies today shouldn’t I at least try to get answers?

“Carea, where are they taking us?” My first order of business is to find out where to go once I am free.

“To Béal.” She says.

“Béal?” I prod her for more. She gives me a look, examining me up and down.

“Béal is the capital of this province. It is also the third largest city in all of Talamh.” Talamh that is the word Quinn used at the end of his chants. In that context Talamh must either be the name of this country or world.

“We are going to Béal because it has the largest slave market of all the cities. When we get there we will be sold to the auctioneers.” Wow, I don’t like the sound of that. I was at an auction with Gramps earlier this year when he bought his 1933 Willys Coupe.  Just the thought of being on a stage and being auctioned off like a car freaks me out! Hopefully I will be long gone before that happens.

How do I ask about the closest town and be subtle about is. When will we reach the next town? No, defiantly not subtle enough.  How long before we reach civilization? What happens when we reach the next town? Still to obvious how else should I ask?  Have you been in this area before? Yes, that’s the one.

“Have you been in this area before?” I ask in my most normal and unassuming tone.

“Just so you know you’re not fooling anyone,” Carea tells me as she gives me a pointed look. “I will however answer the question you want to ask. We are headed east.” She points at the setting sun. Wow, the sun sets in the east here! So much for never eating soggy waffles. “We will arrive at the next village in five days. The nearest village behind us is about seven days travel, and there is a village south of us that is about nine to ten days away.”

Okay so now I know the layout. It is also clear what direction I should go. I will travel west to the village seven days away. It is more in the direction I came and traveling there will take me further from my captors. I will stay at the village for a while and map out the area then I will look for the mirror. I will also look for a way to open it.

“Kota, please just promise me one thing. Don’t get me involved in you little scheme.  If you try to escape do it away from me.” She asks.

“Why? Don’t you want to escape too?” It is clear she doesn’t want to be a slave, so why doesn’t she want to try and at least attempt escaping?

“Oh I want to escape, but I also don’t want to die. The last three that tried where all killed along with the guy that helped them. I’m sorry but I am not going to take that risk.”

Hearing her words I can’t blame her for her decision. I think about my own plan. Is the risk worth it? I think about my life, I think about Gran, Gramps and about Ann. How devastated are they about my disappearance? What would it do to them if I never came home? How long would they wait before giving up hope?

Yes, it is worth the risk. I refuse to give them up without a fight. If I get too far away, even if I escape later, I may lose my chance to find the mirror again. I don’t want so spend the rest of my life trapped in this world.

I decide to stop thinking about my escape plan for tonight. Instead I spent the rest of the night getting to know Carea, Learning about her life and family before they took her. I also do my best to ignore the delicious smell coming from the fire and the growls of my stomach.

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It is the middle of the night and my body moves without my consent. I desperately try to take control of my arms but none of my muscles listen to me. I try to clench my legs to stop their movement, nothing happens. I feel dizzy and suffocated. What is happening to me? Why is my body moving on my own?

I try to regain even the smallest control. I can’t even move a finger or blink an eye. I can’t even open my mouth to shout!

 I see at Eric and the rest of the boys. I know instantly that they are in the same situation as me. Weird parasites cling to their necks. Is that what is controlling them? Do I have one on me? If I had control over my body a chill would be creeping down my spine at that thought. Some gross parasitic monster was on me!

How do we escape this? How do we free ourselves from these demons? What caused this to happen? Suddenly I know why. Why the villagers were so strange. They we being controlled to! They made us like them! It was the soup we ate. Something was in it. Now there is no escape. I will spend the rest of my life watching it pass me by with no control over any of it.

7: Chapter 5

Chapter 5

“Wahaaa ah ahaa.” I wake to the distant cries of a baby. Poor child’s probably cold. It’s not the best way to wake up in the morning, but it is better than that dream. Talk about a weird one, being controlled to the extent of not being able to even bat an eye.

I open my eyes it is still dark but the horizon looks brighter. Maybe I’ll watch the sunrise. A chill runs down my spine. Wait; there are no babies with us. Did I imagine the cry?

 “Aahaaa Wahaaaa” My stomach churns at the sound I feel like something bad is going to happen.

“What?” one of the girls in my cage asks.

“Do we have a baby around?” a man’s voice whispers in the cage to my right.

“AHAA AH WAHAAAA!”  The cry rips to the night once more, it’s getting closer. What is the mother thinking? Traveling at this hour in the morning? What if the slavers catch her? What will they do to the baby?

“Shut that baby up or I’ll kill it!” one of the traders yells with venom. Oh god, let the mother escape with the baby. More and more people wake to the cries. Their whispers blend into an indistinguishable static of white noise.

“WAHAAAA AH AHAA.” Something about the cry strikes me as wrong. Another chill runs down my spine. Suddenly I don’t want that cry to come nearer for a whole different reason. What is wrong with me?

“But we don’t have a baby with us this trip,” reasons one of the traders over the noise.

“It’s a Ylee trying to lure us with its cries!” A panicked voice screeches. Is that a boy or a girl? “You need to let us out or we’ll die!” it continues. Suddenly a panic fills the air and the white noise increases in volume and turns into a frenzied roar.  What is going on?

“Shut up!” Darcie commands.

Silence . . .

“AHAA AH WAHAAAA!”  The cry rings out louder than ever, shattering the silence into pieces.

Silence . . .

“GYAAAAAA  . . . .” A scream full of pain and fear fills the air and cuts off as suddenly as it appeared. People are panicking again only worse than before. I’m afraid. What just happened?

“GYAAAAAA  . . . .” another scream. It is followed by several others from all directions. The cage doors swing open. People are leaving the cages.

“Come on!” Caera urges me. I need no prodding. The sky is getting brighter. I see shadowed figures running as I follow her out the cage. The ground wobbles under my feet. As I continue to follow Caera I see colorful flashes of magic as some try to fight off the shadow creatures attacking. My heart races as panic rises in my chest.

“What the hell is going on?” I get no answers. I have no clue where we are going. Is anyplace safe? Caera is in front of me, a blue and yellow figure, too fast, hits her and she is gone.

“Caera?” I feel tears falling from my eyes. I trip, I put my hands out to catch my fall. They land on something swishy and sticky. I look down bile pooling in the back of my throat as I see a torso.   Its limbs have been ripped off leaving ragged bits of tissue, muscle, and skin where the arms and legs once were. I look up from the chest and at the face of the torso. It’s Darcie! His face is permanently frozen in a look of horror, eyes open and vacant looking at me but not seeing.

I sob, oh my god, this isn't real... This can't be real... Around me everything is red; Scattered across the ground are the dead bodies and body parts. “AHHHHHHH!” The cry is coming from my own throat. I push myself up adrenaline pulsing through my veins. I run. Chaos surrounds me and though there is now light to see, my mind can no longer process the struggle. I run into the forest. I run and run.

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I am on the ground with a bad case of Déjà vu combined with fear. I turn around to face what stands behind me. It is spotted like a leopard with bright blue and yellow scales, with Saber tooth like fangs, and gecko eyes.

 The beast charges towards me but a bust of magic throws it off course. A boy rushes to my side. The boy’s looks are average. He has messy brown hair, brown eyes, and an average face with common features.

“Get up and hide!” he orders.

“I can’t! I twisted my ankle,” I argue. My leg really hurts.

“Then you’d better crawl!” he and an older man work together to fight off the beast. They narrowly miss certain death as they crisscross around it, diverting the beast’s attention strategically. It is a losing battle. I decide to crawl. I scrape my arms and legs as I slowly inch across the forest floor. My progress is slow, and every movement sends the fire of pain coercing through me. I want to scream it hurts.

“Watch out!” the man shouts.

I turn around to see the beast leaping towards the boy. The boy throws his arms up in defense and a burst of magic surges forth. The burst of magic sends both beast and boy flying apart. The boy lands roughly into some boulders. The beast hits a tree with so much force it comes crashing down. The man takes advantage of the situation and chops the beast’s head off. Bright purple liquid pours out of it.

“Kid!” the man yells as he runs to the boy. “Kid gets up!” The boy doesn’t respond or move. The man checks his vitals before he heads towards me. “Are you okay?” he asks me.

“Is he dead?” I ask. I need to know that the boy who saved my life is alive.

“No. He’s just knocked out” he tells me. “He hit his head pretty hard.”

That’s not good. Head injuries are unpredictable. Will he be okay? What if he doesn’t wake up?

“How are you?” The man asks.

The man’s a small mountain. I’m not very good a guessing height and weight, but I can easily say he over the six foot mark. He has a handsome face with long blond hair and light blue eyes. More importantly he is built like a body builder, thankfully not one of the freakishly steroid ones. I’m guessing he’s in his early thirties, but I’m not very good with ages either.

“I hurt my ankle.” I answer.

“Let me see it.” He orders. I indicate the injured ankle with a motion of my hand. Pain shoots up my leg as he handles it. The pain isn’t on the same level as the broken arm I suffered two years ago but it’s enough. Tears begin making tracks down my face.

“It doesn’t appear broken; I think it’s just sprained.” He says it like it’s nothing. It’s not nothing, it hurts! “Thankfully it’s not that bad. You should be better in a little over a week.” The man begins to cut strips of a cloth and wraps them around my ankle.

“My name is Eirnin by the way.”

“Hi, I’m Dakota” I replied dryly. “What was that?”

“A Ylee, they’re demons. They use their cries on their pray to lure or distract them. The camp was attacked by a pride of them.” He explained.

He pulls out some clothing from his bag and hands it to me, “change in to these.” I want to protest, but one look at my bloody cloths stops me. As I change he searches the forest and gathers sticks and branches. Before I know it, he is handing me crutches he has jerry-rigged together. Talk about resourceful.

“Thank you” I say, making a point to look him in the eyes like I was raised.

“It’s no trouble” Eirnin replies. “With the kid injured I’ll have to carry him. That means you’ll have to fend for yourself for the time being.” His tone changes as he says this and I feel like he’s talking to me like a child.

“I have no complaints.” Who does he think he is? Who does he think I am, some preppy princess? I can fend for myself. He doesn’t have to use that tone of voice.

“So, what’s his name?” I question Eirnin as I nod my head at the boy.

“I don’t know, but the little guy saved my hide twice back at camp.” He replies.

Camp, images of blood and gore fill my mind. Then I remember Caera and the five year old boy. I didn’t even try to help them. I just ran away like a coward. How could I do that? I just forgot about them. What is wrong with me? Tears are cascading down my face. I am not crying but bawling. My cries wrack my entire body making it hard for me to breath.

“What’s wrong? Has the pain worsened?” Eirnin asks.

“What a-about the pe-people, the children w-we left behind?” I choke out.

“Oh, don’t worry many died yes, but most of the people gathered together around the children’s wagon I have no doubts that they survived.”

But Caera is dead, I saw the ylee take her away, and I did nothing.

8: Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Moving on crutches is hard. Moving on them across the hot jungle terrain is nearly impossible. After three days of travel I am starting to become use to this miserable means of travel. The weight of the supplies on my back doesn’t help.

I can’t complain. Eirnin is carrying the boy, I am temporarily naming Eric, and the bulk of the supplies. The man’s an ox, and he does it without complaint so I will too. Eirnin has warmed up to me over the last few days. I like to think my resolve not to whine has strengthened his respect for me. With that in mind, as I struggle and pant along, I channel my inner stubborn and grit through it.

I am aware that Eirnin has slowed the pace once again for me. While this act of mercy helps me, it makes matters more dangerous for Eric. Eric has yet to wake up. I am ashamed to even think it but I'm afraid he might never.

I’m losing my balance. I quickly assess my surroundings and find I’m headed for the ground. I do the only thing I can; I plant both legs down and embrace the pain. I barely stop myself from toppling over. There is a god. Eirnin, if luck is on my side he didn’t see. I quickly look in Eirnin’s direction. My gaze is met by cool baby blues.

“Are you okay?” he asks eyes twinkling with amusement. Stupid luck! The only luck I have is bad.

 “I’m fine,” I spit out. A familiar pain is rising in my leg. Just ignore me and let’s go! Yes, it hurts but I’ve felt worse. I can handle this pain. I move to regain my previous pace. Eirnin remains stationary.

“Maybe we should rest for the day.” A selfish part of me wants to, to stop lie down and just sleep. I’m injured I deserve rest, but Eric.

“No, I can continue.” I can.

“No, we should prepare camp. It’s getting that time of day, and I think the kid needs more fluids.” His voice holds resolve. Eirnin has been getting the boy to swallow water and fruit juice. We both worry on how long it will be able to sustain him. We both know his reason for stopping is me. I chose not to argue with him and selfishly accept the kind offer.

I sit down and elevate my leg. Eirnin carefully sets Eric down and begins setting up camp. I have tried to help before but Eirnin stopped me clamming I can help more after I have healed. He’s as stubborn as a mule. So I have given up. My jobs are making the fire and food. I wait for his usual survival tips but am met with silence.

“How is he?” I ask.

“The same,” he responds as he begins notching the trees for our hammocks. First rule of survival don’t sleep on the ground.

I am lucky the supplies they stole had enough supplies for three people. There was actually enough for more, but we cut down the load after the ylee battle. Of the supplies we kept the hammocks, flasks, knives, flint, rope, water proof blankets, a pot, bowls, a tobacco like plant called herell, and a Compass. The rest was left behind. We even left the food behind. It really worried me but Eirnin promised food would not be an issue, and it hasn’t been.

Having finished with the hammocks Eirnin moves Eric on to one. I can’t help but be a little awed at seeing the giant Eirnin being so gentle. Although other than the fight with the ylee he has been nothing but since I have known him. I am also amazed at how comfortable I am around him. It’s like he is an uncle I have been with all my life. I trust him completely.

 Eirnin supplies me with a load of fire wood, before heading back into the forest to collect food. I get out my knife from my pack and use it to shave off bark from a log to make tinder. I also cut down the branches to make kindling. I make a bird’s nest of the tinder and stack the kindling around it. Carefully I strike the flint with my knife.

“ Come on, please!” I beg the sparks to catch. After many attempts a spark lands on the nest. Yay! I’m getting good at this. I blow on the spark and get it to grow. Then I begin stacking the wood the way Eirnin taught me. ‘The point of making this fire,’ I remember Eirnin telling me. ‘Isn’t to make heat, but to make light and keep predators away. We also burn the herell to keep the insects away.’ I am happy just watching the flames grow.

Eirnin is back with food. I’ll make some soup for Eric first. I take the dryer fruits, leaves, and mushrooms and cut them up. After I have a good amount I put my ingredients in a bowl. I add the juicier berries and fruits and begin smashing it all together with a rock.

“So where are you from?” Eirnin asks. It’s a question I have been expecting for days. Surprisingly it hasn’t come up sooner, but for past few days Eirnin has only been teaching me about survival. I never asked him any personal questions and he didn’t either. Despite knowing the question was coming I still didn’t know how to answer.

I don’t have a good lie to tell and I don’t think I can lie to Eirnin. Eirnin is smart and resourceful for the last three days he has been keeping me alive. He deserves my trust. I can trust him with the truth, right? Well there is only one way to find out.

“I’m not from this world,” man that sounds crazy even to me. I carefully watch Eirnin’s reaction. 

“Really?” he asks. He is calmer than I expect only a slightly curious expression growing on his face. “How did you end up here?”

“I followed someone I knew through a mirror and accidently found my way here.” I tell him giving him the short version. It doesn’t sound as crazy. “I’m telling you the truth!”

“I believe you. Everyone knows the Mirrors of Solas can lead to different worlds. There’s even a library dedicated to them and the worlds they connect to.” I’m not sure how to respond. Not only does he believe me but he knows about the mirrors! Somehow it is easier to breathe. “But the art of using them is only granted to select few. Who did you fallow here?”

“A classmate of mine,” I tell him. As I try to suppress a guilty blush. “His name is Quinn O’Sorra.”

“O’Sorra!” He said with excitement. “It’s good the blood line didn’t die out. I thought Lorcan was the last! What happened to him?” I tell Eirnin everything about the hall of mirror and how I think Quinn went through a different mirror. Now it’s my turn to question but what should I ask first?

“So what’s so special about the O’Sorras?” I ask. I see it on his face this Question surprises him. More than when he learned I was from a different world. “You don’t know about the O’Sorra family?” He asks this like I’m crazy. Like I’m some idiot who can’t tell the sky is blue!

“I’m from a different ‘World!’” I remind him.

“Oh, Sorry,” He regains his composure. “Is just everyone knows who they are in this world. The O’Sorras have guarded of the royal family for generations. They are legends.  Mind they haven’t done a great job these past couple decades.” What is so hard about remembering I’m from another world? He acts like I should know what he’s talking about. Sorry to burst your bubble but . . . “Sorry you probably don’t know what I’m talking about.”

I can’t help myself I throw in a sarcastic, “You think?”

“Okay here’s a History lesson for you. Around forty five years ago there was an attack on the castle. The king was assassinated but his son was saved. So after seven years the prince tried to reclaim the throne with the help of great blood lines. The most important were four of province leaders, The Guardian or O’Sorra, the priestess, and the soothsayer.

Prince Ryan came close to regaining the throne, but according to rumor, the group was betrayed. The whole royal family was massacred. Only his youngest sister princess Niamh survived.” He gave me a small smile that didn’t really hold much happiness.

“So about the O’Sorras?” I pry.

“ The O’Sorra’s are good people. The guards of the prince died doing their duties. Lorcan was in your world at the time of the massacre. If he hadn’t been the O’Sorra clan would have ended.” Was Lorecan Quinn’s father? “I met Lorcan once many years ago when I was a boy, he was a hero. Losing him was a real blow to the resistance.”

“Losing him? What happened to him.”

“No one knows, it’s the greatest mystery of our time. Many believe he was capture and killed, but a man that great? No if they killed him it would have been made public. They would have made an example of him. There are occasional sighting of him all across Talamh, but no one puts much stock in them.”

So Quinn’s dad is missing? Is that why he came here, to try and find him? If so why bring a child along? It doesn’t make sense. Why am I worried about Quinn, I have enough problems of my own. I need to worry about getting home.

“Eirnin, earlier you mentioned mir. . .”

A grown from behind cuts off my question. In sequence we both turn around. The boy is awake, siting up, and looking confused.

“Lie down.” Eirnin instructs him gently. The boy obeys and slowly lies down.

“Where am I? Who are you?

“I’m Kota and he’s Eirnin.” I introduce us. “What is your name?”

The boy looks confused and pauses. “I … I don’t know.”

9: Chapter 7

Chapter 7

"So what is that?" I whisper, pointing to what can only be described as a living plant dear. Now, it didn't exactly look like a year or per se, but what other animal could I compare it to? Its body was big and lean like a deer's but with no antlers. Instead the creature has very long ears. The animal is very beautiful. Its back is a dark blue- green color and its belly a vibrant yellow. The colors blend into each other in a way that reminded me of pedals.

The animal that had been drinking from a stream, not far from us, jumped and ran as soon as the words left my lips. As it left I realized it had no I eyes.

"That is a yalha." Eric informs me. "It is a plant that uses sound waves that we can't hear to navigate it surrounding. Yalha are a delicacy, but are very hard to kill. They run very fast and when cornered curl up and long poisonous thorns sprout from their backs to protect them." So basically it's a mixture between plant, bat, porky pine, and dear? How weird is that?

Eric and I have been playing this game for a while. I point out animal and he tells me what it is. At first this was to figure out how of Eric's memory was damaged. And so far it seemed he could remember everything except any information that involved him. He can't remember the people in his life before but he can remember the date, how to cast hunt spells, a variety of fruits, herbs and other plants and their uses.

At first Eric was very, very frustrated, but a little game for entertainment and his mind was off of the more important matters. I was really enjoying this game myself.

The animals here are very strange. Of the many strange animals that we encountered the strangest have been; the bolog , a strange animal that looked like a small hairy octopus that swung through the trees with its tentacles. A poshu what can only be described as a mix between a squirrel and a mosquito (it was a very creepy creature). A ghou a plant that looked similar to a dragonfly and a dandelion seed.

"Well it's gone now." Eric says "we should probably get back to collecting these fruit." He reminds me lifting up the bag he is carrying in his arms. It was decided that I would pick the fruits and he would tell me if it was safe to eat before putting it into the bag. He was carrying it, since I was still hopping on my crutches.

We haven't made much progress in filling it. There is just so many weird animals and I can't help but want to learn more about them. But I guess a we really should be collecting food.

Already bored of this task I randomly grab as many different fruits, mushrooms and other plants as I can and throw them into the bag. Eric just follows me while occasionally snacking on the fruit.

Getting hungry myself I search the fruits around me trying to decide which one I should try. Something red catches my eye It looks like an Apple. Can it really be an apple? I reach up and pick the fruit of its tree. It is shaped and colored just like an ample. I guess the only way to know for sure is to eat it. I polish the apple my shirt before preparing to take that out of it when Eric Knock the fruit from her hands.

"Don't keep that!" Erik yells.

"What why?" I ask

"That is noutti fruit!" Eric explains it is a poisonous fruit that allows demons possess people."

"Demons, you mean like ylee? What's the difference between a demon, animal? Why do You call them demons is it because they're dangerous, and how can be, you be possessed by one ?"

"Yes, ylee is a demon." Eric answers, "Demons are different from animals or people in the fact that are fueled by dark magic there are two types of demons. The first type is the cogni demon. Cogni demons are vicious and are very intelligent. Some even have the ability disguise themselves as humans. The second group are foni, they are less intelligent. They are however stronger and more animalistic.

A ylee is a foni demon. The demons that have the ability to possess people are a rare group of cogni demons that are a type of parasite that bury themselves in their victim's spinal column. They only have the ability to possess people have eaten noutti fruit. I am not sure why, I just know that we can't eat noutti."

Is he telling the truth? Are there really demonic parasites that can possess people? I am reminded of the dream had the cage where I had no control myself, trapped in my own body. The memory sends chills down my spine. I let the fruit drop from my hand.

"A Kota, I think we've gathered enough fruit should I go back to camp?" he asks. I checked the bag of fruit it isn't quite filled it up to the top, but it should be enough.

"Okay, let's go"

As we head back to camp. My thoughts wonder back to the conversation I had with Eirnin yesterday. About how Quinn's family had served and protected the King for generations, and how his father was this world's greatest mystery.

Why did Quinn come to this world? Would he follow in his father's footsteps and try to put the King back onto throne? If so, would he continue living on Earth I would he moved here? What do I care, anyways, As much as I like Quinn's not like I have the slightest chance of dating him.

Suddenly I remember I forgot to ask Eirnin then about the mirrors. That's what I should be focusing on. I need to figure out how to get back home. As cool as this world can be it's not mine. I needed talk to Eirnin about those mirrors.

When we arrive back at the camp, we find Eirnin skinning an animal for dinner. There is already a rolling fire the middle of the camp and the hammocks are in the set up the trees. Eirnin has been a busy bee. All that is left to do is to cook dinner.

"So you gather enough fruit?" Eirnin asks

"Yes, we can do quite a bit. There should be enough for tonight, tomorrow morning, and maybe some for lunch. " I reply.

"Good to bring that back bag over here and I'll tell you what to chop up for tonight."

Eric takes in the bag and Eirnin rifles through it. After looking through it, He pulls out a variety of mushrooms and a couple small orange fruits.

"Here" he says motioning for me to take them. I do as instructed and began to chop them on one of the plates, While Eirnin begins to chop up some meat. " Eric," he calls out, " grab those sticks and start skewering the meat."

Eric did as he was told. For a while we sat quietly occupied with our chores"

"Eirnin, yesterday you mentioned the mirror I traveled through. What do you know about it?" I ask.

"Oh the Mirrors of Solas. It is a great mystery where the mirror's came from there are mirrors in every world. Here in Talamh we have a great library dedicated to the mirrors and the worlds they connect to.

There is a ritual used to open up the mirror. The knowledge do so, however is a privilege only gifted to select families and respected officials."

"How can I learn this ritual? How many mirrors are there?"

"Well, in this world. There are probably 300 to 400 not really sure of the number. As to how to learn the ritual I'm sure seeing as you are from another world, They would teach it to you to get back. You could travel all the way to the library, only it's on the other side of the country. But I have a better idea. Why don't you travel with me?

I have to travel to the city of Srón to deliver something, but after that I will head back to a rebel camp just outside of Béal. The leader of that camp knows how to open the mirrors, you can learn it from him. We won't be going straight. There, but it will still be faster than traveling all the way to the library."

"What is your errand? How did you become a slave, anyways?" I can't help but wonder why I didn't think of that question earlier. What was he doing as a slave? He's not the type that would be caught by slavers.

"You know me very well don't you?" Eirnin replies. "A couple months ago I was hired to retrieve something from a temple here. Now, while I was doing so I accidentally lost a good portion of my supplies.

So when those idiots decided to "capture" me. I went along for the ride. I was planning to stick around and escape at the next city. A few of the guys in my cage were willing help.

Of course, the plan was blown out of the water by the ylee. Now I'm reduce to walking through the jungle at a snail's pace just to get to the nearest village. Well it's not like I am on a tight deadline, anyway."

"I would like to stay with you if that's the right. How long will it take to get to this rebel camp?" I ask

"Well, I can't give you precise time that I say anywhere between 2 to 3 months." He replies. 2 to 3 months? That's a long time! School will have already started! How long will I be stuck in this world?

"So how were you planning to escape? And what exactly did you get from a temple?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"How was I planning to escape? I have my ways. As for what I took from the temple that really any of your business. I will say, however, it's an item very important for the rebel cause. Now let's get back to cooking. I'm getting very hungry." Eirnin answers.

Just a little note: If you've read this far in my novel and like it. Check out Quinn duty, as the name implies, it is. Quinn's version of events. Quinn's duty and tripped are taking place in the same span of time. So reading both of them at the same time will not hurt you in anyway it will however give you a bit more information on the world of Talamh. At the moment his story has yet to reach chapter 3, which is when Quinn travels over to Talamh, but I plan to have Chapter 3 out very soon. Please Review.

10: Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Eirnin carefully studies his compass before continuing on. According to Carea information we should have reached the nearest village yesterday. We've been traveling for six days now and still nothing but trees. I'm starting to wonder if we are lost. That would explain a lot like why Eirnin cannot stop looking at his compass. I swear every day. He looks at the thing like twenty times a day. Heck, he looks at it even when not traveling.

Then again, I don't feel like I should say something. According to Carea the village was East towards the setting sun, and that is the direction we've been going. Was Carea wrong? Or did we pass it on accident by being too far north or south? It's also possible that because we have been traveling slower we just haven't reached it yet. I really, really hope that isn't the reason.

I glance back at Eric who seems clueless about my growing worry and completely unaware of how many times Eirnin is looking at that compass of his. Unhindered Eric runs around with his limitless energy jumping over logs collecting rocks and occasionally picking some berries or fruits to eat. How does he do it? Mind, he doesn't have to hobble along on one leg.

At least there's some good news for me. I got rid of the crutches yesterday, and my ankle has been doing much better today. I'm hoping I will be walking regularly by tomorrow. Even then I'm not sure if I can keep up with Eric.

"Earth to Kota!" Eirnin shoved it right next to my ear. "Where'd your mind go wondering this time?"

"Hardy har har!" I snapped back at him. "My, aren't you clever"

"Clever enough to find the path." He snapped back.

"What?" I follow is pointed finger to a large dirt road, not unlike the one we had left only days ago. He found the road! We aren't I lost! I don't think I've been so glad to see dirt in my life.

"What are you surprised about? Don't tell you that we were a lost." Eirnin questions.

"I thought no such thing. I knew exactly where we were going, East, straight into the sunset." I lie through my teeth. Eirnin's knowing look told me I was fooling him. "I'm just curious to know what took you so long to find it."

"We can always go back and I can have you find it again." Eirnin threatens.

"Oh no, I think I am happy with finding it now. How far away do you think the village is?" I ask him.

"I can't rightly say, but it should be pretty close." One can only hope.

We all took to the road with a new energy. Even Eric was bursting with more energy than before. I was literally skipping down the path. We travel and down it for a couple hours before it disappeared, stopping at the edge of a clearing. Inside the clearing my eyes found the first few signs of civilization. In the open space fences separated a small amount of livestock. There was also three small building whose purpose I can only assume was house the animals surrounding them.

Like all of the animals I have seen in this world, the animals in the clearing are strange and unfamiliar to me. Closest to me were huge, and I mean huge bunny like creatures that were covered in fluffy woolly hair. They are really cute and come in a wide variety of colors.

"They're floops," Eric informs me before I could ask. "Their wool is used to make sweaters and other clothes. Although probably not around these parts, since it's so hot here. They also lay eggs." We move closer to the fences and I get a closer look at the other animals. Farthest from me are the same animals the traders used to pulled the wagons. Eric follows my gaze.

"Jatcas they are used to plow fields and for riding. They are very loyal and lovable creatures." Eric states.

I look at the last of the animals they look like a strange mix between a donkey and a Bassett hound. Looking at them with their blue fur, the only thought I seem to be capable of making is Eeyore. They look just like what I'd imagine Eeyore would look like in real life, with those sad eyes.

"Those are Oree and they create very rich milk." Milk? With them so low to the ground, how the heck do they milk them?

"So we found the livestock nowhere is the town?" I asked, looking at Eirnin.

"What do you mean? We've reached it," Eirnin tells me in a teasing tone. What does he mean we've reached it? I look around the clearing and find not a single soul. It is surrounded by trees and other than the three buildings I can't find a single sign that people live here. Eirnin chuckles at me, obviously amused.

"Dear girl you're looking in all the wrong places," he laughs. "Here let me help you." He pulls my head back, forcing my gaze higher. That's when I see them, the buildings. Looking at them they are amazing and massive!

Around each tree was a circular building that hugged the trees trunk. Nearly all of the buildings were identical, each one beautifully crafted. Other trees supported flat wooden decks and all of it is connected by swinging bridges. I watch as the town's people move quickly about their day, completely unfazed with being so high in the air.

"Wow." For a moment I am dumbfounded by the shear brilliance of it.

"Well, how long are you going to look at it? Let's get going!" Eric shouts. Wait a minute. I'm supposed to climb up there? I can't do it. Heights and I don't get along, not sense I fell off of that tree two years ago and broke my arm. I follow the boys as they head towards the trees and to one of the ladders leading up.

As I get closer I realize how high up those buildings must be at the least two stories, if not more! The ladder was carved out side of the tree. Looking up, I find there is what I can only guess as rest stop to the side of the ladder maybe 7 feet high, halfway possibly.

Eric's is already climbing quickly with no fear. He breaks up the ladder in no time. I can't do that! I can't climb up there. There's no way it's far too high.

"Kota, are you all right?" Eirnin asks me. I turn toward him realize he must have been looking at me for some time.

"I'm fine, it's just . . ." What is the best way to tell him that I can't go up there? I can't do it. Somehow, I'm going to have to make my way up that stupid ladder.

"Just afraid of heights" Eirnin guesses correctly. I feel my face heat up as he chuckles at me. "Don't worry we'll get you up there. I will go up first and have them send down a rope for you. You just tie it around your waist and we will pull you up. What you say?"

Oh, that option is so not good. The idea of having someone have to pull me up is humiliating. But what else can I do? I already know I can't climb the ladder up the letter myself. I nod my head.

"I'll take that as a yes. You just wait here I'll have them send down the rope."

Eirnin is up the tree and no time. Just as quickly a rope falls down. I grab it and loop it around me. I also crisscross it between my legs as well. Hopefully that'll make it easier. I am slowly lifted off the ground and I am immediately thankful for my forethought. This is painful, having all of my weight being carried on the rope.

This thought doesn't last long as the ground reaches farther and farther away. Oh God, too high, too high! I want go back down! I want to go back down right now! I close by eyes hoping that will make things better but it doesn't since I am freaking out!

"You're okay, Kota, you're not going to fall. I have you!" Eirnin voice breaks me from my terror. I open my eyes and find him looking at me with a crooked smile. Below me I find a wooden floor. Finally I can breathe and feel my racing heart begin to slow down.

As soon as I am calm. I notice the laughter surrounding and immediately began to blush. This is so humiliating! I look around and find a group of men and one teenager all laughing at me. At least they found some amusement with my situation.

Sorry for the wait. I had to do some rethinking on my original storyline. I will be, in the next chapter, introducing a few new characters. I was going to introduce them in a completely different manner, but I was told by a friend that there is too much action going on in such sort amount of time. So to create a better flow I had to rethink on how exactly to introduce these characters in a cohesive way, which of course has taken a lot of time for me. Oh and please tell me if you like the new cover or the old cover better.