Chapter 11 CHAPTER 11
I didn't dare sleep during this ride.
Whatever had dulled my awareness during the farmer's cart ride was gone now, and I could feel everything.
The vertigo crawling up my spine with each turn, the way the carriage swayed at speeds that should've been impossible, and the wind that somehow didn't touch us inside this enclosed space.
I buried my head in my hands, fighting the urge to throw up.
Although I had no idea if I'd even throw up anything. I hadn't eaten since that one bite of avocado toast this morning before my world tilted on its axis.
It seemed like a lifetime ago that I'd been playing my favorite songs in Mom's kitchen, trying to forget the grief mixed with shock that had been drowning me.
Now I was riding with a man who looked like a beautiful lizard, his scaled eyes giving me curious looks every few minutes.
"Is it true your people fly by yourselves with only the wind for support?" he suddenly asked.
I looked at him, confusion knitting my brows. "What? No. We have planes, different types of aircraft. Nobody's flying without a vehicle carrying them. How often do people from Earth come here? Do they go back at will?"
"We haven't gotten an earthling here in over two centuries. I was still a little boy when we heard about the last one." His voice carried a weight that made me realize just how long "little boy" might mean in this place. "There were rumors about one recently, and I'm hoping something isn't wrong that's letting you all through. Our tourism department is nonexistent at this particular time. Strangers are not welcome."
"Sorry, back up." I made a rolling motion with my hand. "You were a boy two centuries ago?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"Um... no. Not at all." My voice came out higher than intended.
Two hundred years. This man had lived for two hundred years.
"You want to go back, I assume?"
"Why? Humans aren't allowed here?"
"Usually, Drakkonia has open arms for all species, but we've been forced to shut our doors. I'm sure the Principal will explain better when you meet him."
"Oh."
"Who am I kidding? That male only speaks when absolutely necessary and even then, you'll barely get much out of him." He grunted, and my heart beat faster.
"He's harsh?"
"He shaped every strong soldier on the battlefield defending our borders. That doesn't come with smiles and unnecessary words."
Battlefield. Soldiers.
"Oh my god, are you guys under siege? Did I walk into a world war?"
"That's quite dramatic," he chuckled, waving me off. "They've been trying to get in, but they'll never succeed. I just wish they'd get the message and retreat. It's been years."
He sounded so sad, his excited deep treble shifting to something painful, hollow.
My luck really was the absolute best. Of all places to transport me to, it's a war-torn realm where strangers aren't welcome and some enemy has been trying to breach their borders for years.
"I'm sorry for your loss," I whispered, sensing the grief beneath his words.
His eyes narrowed. "You're running from something."
I nodded hesitantly.
"And did this... thing follow you here?"
"It's a man, and I doubt it. I've been walking through that forest for hours. He would've caught up with me."
"Why's he after you? What did you steal?"
"I didn't steal anything!" The accusation stung more than it should have.
He raised his eyebrows, the small scaled ridges arching perfectly on his face.
"He's a crazy person who wants to kill me, that's it. I'm not a thief. I have a degree, I have a job. I... well, had." I drove a furious hand through my hair, leaving it there as I fought back the tears threatening to spill.
'Don't you dare cry in front of this stranger, Alira,' I scolded myself.
I should be grateful, but the thought of going back scared me more than staying in this impossible place.
I wasn't sure anyone would believe me if I reported Baldwin. Or worse, he'd tell them I killed his father and I'd get arrested for a crime I'd committed as a traumatized child trying to survive.
I was probably wrong on all assumptions I was making but that's the thing, I didn't know for sure that going back would ensure my safety and I will do anything to ensure I don't end up back in there. I have never intentionally conjured fire before then but after that, the whole thing hasn't manifested again, intentionally or not. So I'd grown to believe it was all in my head and I was no fire girl. If he caught me again, there's no guarantee I'll be able to escape again.
If I hadn't led him to the library, I could've gone there and set up a quiet life, far from view, never going to public places where he could find me.
I guess I can't run forever. Eventually, I'll have to wake up from this dream that feels too real and deal with the monster chasing after me.
This isn't how my life ends. But for now, I just needed to lie low and figure out a plan.
"I'll talk to Principal Draco. He might be understanding, considering your circumstances."
"Thank you. Again." I noted how much those words had been leaving my lips these past few days, and yet I was still a miserable mess with no clear path forward.
His eyes closed, and I adjusted in my seat, looking outside. The inside of this vehicle was nicer, plush seats in contrast to the wheat bag I'd arrived in.
Even though I couldn't see anything except the insane speed of everything flying by, it was better than being trapped in my own head with all my spiraling thoughts.
I don't know how long we rode, but eventually the horse began slowing. I sat up, watching as the landscape shifted to stony terrain.
The gates on this territory were built into the mountain itself. Strong, slim iron lengths that towered all the way into the sky, disappearing into clouds.
The horse trotted slowly, finally coming to a stop. I watched, apprehensive, as the guard opened his window and began speaking their language to someone on the other end.
After a back-and-forth that made my stomach clench with anxiety, he shut the glass with more force than necessary.
"They need you to walk in on your own." His eyes carried a frustration that surprised me.
He wanted to help me that much? I would've assumed he'd be happy to get back to his normal life, rid of the strange human girl who'd fallen into his world.
"It's fine. I'm grateful for your help so far."
"Explain everything to him. He'll understand."
"What is your name?"
"Gerund," he answered, "and I'll be off now."
I nodded and climbed down onto hot ground.
I winced as the injuries on my feet burned from impact and the sudden temperature change.
It was already night, but their second sun collaborated with a very large moon to give clear visibility in the darkness. Another impossible thing in an endless list of impossibilities.
"Hey!"
I turned to look back inside the coach.
"If you stay, make sure you give it your all. Our realm doesn't support weakness."
"I'll do my best." I smiled, waving a bit as he shut the tent flaps and the horse began moving.
I turned around and was met with younger-looking guards.
It was odd. I could somehow tell these weren't centuries old like my escort, but they weren't kids either. Something about their energy, their bearing.
"This way." The one who'd been arguing with Gerund moved forward, his accent thick and nearly unclear.
How was I supposed to survive in a realm where I didn't understand their language or anything about them?
We walked through the small path opened at the side, passing guards who whispered to themselves, laughing and clearly gossiping. About me, probably.
I guess some things don't change, no matter what world you're in.
We walked through the gate and I looked up, my mouth falling open.
For a stronghold meant to train people to fight, it was beautiful.
Hopefully, that beauty wasn't just a covering for cruelty.