Sweet Escape
------------------ PROLOGUE ---------------
“Catch him! Don’t let him escape!”
“Running is useless, you worthless slave!”
David Kalas ran through the forest. His whole body was aching and numb, he could even taste his own blood in his mouth. His arm was broken, and his legs were moving without sensation like they were not attached to his body any more. He didn’t know where he was heading. He just knew he had to run, run far away from his father’s land or he would end up dead.
Why does it matter anyway? He had nothing. No one wanted him alive.
He didn’t come up with a reason to live. But he couldn’t think anymore. Right now, he let his instinct lead him. He had no more energy left; he ran mindless, ran with his body and his survival instinct.
Suddenly, he lost his balance over the top of a hill. Holding his broken arm, he rolled on the steep slope. The sky and the earth spun. He heard the dogs barking, the men shouting at the other side of the hill, and some step foot approaching. He tried to move but every muscle of his protested.
So, this is the end of me, he thought and everything turned black.
----------------------- CHAPTER 1 ----------------------------
It was a nice day; the sky was blue and clear. Brigitte, Marguerite, and Natalie were wandering to the hill.
“Hey, you know the new theatre, Galaxy? There’ll be a new movie this Sunday. I got a coupon for half price. Wanna go?” Marguerite asked, enthusiasm filled her voice and her eyes. Her black hair that was long to her shoulders embraced her round face.
“Yeah, what movie is it?” Brigitte asked in excitement.
“On The Beat, a romance-thriller.”
“Cool!’ Natalie said and paused “Do you guys hear that?”
They heard some dogs barking far away and someone grunting as if he was in pain. They rushed toward the hill where all the noises came from. They stopped, shocked in terror. A man was lying in blood, one of his arms seemed to be broken, his clothes were all ragged. They looked around and saw no one; they approached slowly.
“Excuse me, sir?” Marguerite broke the silence.
No response, no movement.
“Is he dead?” Natalie shuddered at the sight.
Brigitte touched him nervously. He didn’t move. She checked his pulse; then assured her friends “No, he’s just unconscious. His pulse is very weak, though. We need to do something. We have to stable his arm first and bring him to somewhere safe.”
“Ok, I’ll go find some tree branches.” Marguerite looked around.
“I’ll go find someone to help.” Natalie ran off.
Brigitte tore her shirt sleeve. Taking the tree branches from Marguerite, she began to stable his arm. As a nurse, she finished quickly.
“Gals, I found this guy here who was taking a walk. He’ll help us to carry him to the clinic.”
The man lifted the injured man up. The three girls struggled to support his weight. The man was heavy.
They laid the injured man on a steel long table at the only clinic in this town. They thanked the helping guy and he left. A mid-thirties man with a long white blouse came in.
“What do we have here? Where did you find this poor guy?” He asked.
“We found him lying at the hill’s foot, Alex.” Brigitte answered.
“He’s all messed up but not fatal.” Alex put on his gloves and started working.
Marguerite and Natalie waited outside while Brigitte helped Alex in the emergency room. An hour later, they came out.
“Oh my God, you guys are still here?” Brigitte was surprised.
“Of course, where else we would be? We have to help him ‘til the end, you know, we don’t save him and leave him like that. How’s our guy doing?”
“He needs a lot of rest to recover. He’d been whipped badly and I found dog bites all over him, but he’ll be fine. I’ll run a more throughout check on him.” Alex sighed “We have a little problem here. I can’t let him stay here. We don’t have any vacant bed left. Beside, he doesn’t have any paper. It’s…”
“I know, Alex. Let me think!” Brigitte frowned. “I lived alone, no boyfriend, no dog. I can let him stay at my house.” Brigitte declared after considering for awhile.
“Are you sure? We don’t know a thing about him. He might be dangerous.” Natalie worried.
“Not in this condition. He’s been hurt, badly. He wouldn’t be able to hurt me. It’s okay, really.”
“Call us if anything goes wrong.” Marguerite insisted.
“Definitely.”
“So, is the movie still on?”
“Yes, I’ll be there, at eight o’clock.” Brigitte smiled.
“And if that guy wants to join, welcome.” Natalie said generously.
“Hey, why don’t you guys ask me?” Alex whined.
“It’s girls’ night. He’s different; he’s alone in town. Be nice!” Natalie teased.
“Yeah, right, I’m the one who fixed him. I doubt he’s in any shape to go with you girls.”
“Ok, I owe you. I’ll make it up later.” Brigitte placated Alex
“Fine, I’ll drive you guys and him to your house.” Alex sighed.
“Thanks, you’re the man. That’s why you’re the doctor.” Brigitte grinned at him.
David woke up in a strange place. He was lying in a blue bed. His broken arm had been dressed and laying on his bare chest. He was wearing a weird black pant. He tried to sit up but his body ached; he grunted as pain shook him.
“Stay down, you need to rest.” A feminine voice came from the door. A beautiful brunette came to him. She was at average height, very skinny and her skin was tanned at the lightest color. Her brown eyes shining with a tinge of fear; she offered him a gentle smile.
Why am I here? I’m not dead yet? Who is she? Is she his father’s people? Of course she is. No one wants him alive; why would a stranger help him? She is definitely carrying his father’s order.
“Who are you? Where am I? Are you trying to kill me? What are you waiting for? Just do it!” He said in a hostile tone.
Kill him? “What are you talking about?” She asked, baffled by his questions.
“You’re one of the people to execute me, aren’t you? Is this new kind of torture? Why don’t you just finish me off instead of fixing me and punishing me more?” He looked away, braced himself for her answer.
What on earth..? Was he a killer under a death warrant? Or did he have a concussion?
“Look, I think you need some more rest. You start talking nonsense.”
He stared at her like she was some alien.
“I bring you hot milk here. Drink it and go to sleep. We’ll talk later.”
“Oh, stop that. Don’t pretend to be nice, I can’t stand it. Just kill me, damn you.”
“Excuse me, I happen to be the one who saved your life. Instead of saying thank you, you yelled at me. Thanks a lot.”
“Aren’t you from Kalas? Don’t you try to kill me?”
“Kalas? Never heard of it. And no, I have no business with you. Maybe I should let you die there.”
“Maybe you should. I’m sorry; I thought you were my father’s people. Please accept my deepest apologies.” He looked straight to her eyes with sincerity.
“You really did hit your head, didn’t you? Don’t worry about it. Here, drink some milk and get some rest.” She soothed him, confusing at his reaction. Maybe he truly needed his head examined.
“By the way, I’m Brigitte Winkle. What’s your name?” She asked, taking the empty glass from him.
“David Kalas. Thank you very much, Ms. Winkle.”
“Call me Brigitte. You must be tired, get some rest. Good night. I’ll be nearby if you need anything.”
“Thanks again. I really don’t know what to say or how to thank you. Uhm, good night, Brigitte.”
David watched her leaving the room. He tried to think of some explanation. Why did she save him? She even brought him home and took care of him. Yeah, right. He was having a coma or hallucination. Maybe he was already dead. As he tried to sort things out, exhaustion took over and he fell asleep.
Brigitte let out a long sigh and went to her couch. She’s been sleeping on the couch these two days because she only had one bed and she couldn’t let an injured man sleep on a couch. She thought about their conversation earlier. She got lost in her confusion. What was he saying? There had been people trying to kill him? Why? Wait, his name was David Kalas. Kalas, wasn’t it the name when he asked where she was from? She never heard of any country or region or anywhere with that name. Was that his real last name?
Don’t think too much. You need sleep. Brigitte drifted off to sleep.
Brigitte woke up as she felt someone’s hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and saw David pulling the blanket up to her.
“Sorry that I wake you.” He said sheepishly.
“It’s okay. But aren’t you supposed to stay in bed? You’d been hurt badly, how could you even move?” Brigitte was surprised.
“I’m used to pain. I need to talk to you.”
“Okay, what do you want to talk about first?”
“Where am I? Is it Kalas country?”
“No, it’s Pardi country, Dello town. And you’re in my house.”
“How did I get here?”
“I found you lying half dead at the hill’s foot. I intended to give you over to the police but you were injured so badly and I couldn’t find any paper on you. I decided to save you first and find out about you later.”
“Police? But why did you save me?”
“Didn’t I just explain to you? I wanted to treat your wound first. You were unconscious; I didn’t wake you up to ask who you were. Beside, I checked with the police that no one was currently missing or someone was wanted.”
“You should have leaved me dead.”
“Sorry that I didn’t let you commit suicide. Next time, you can write a ‘Please-don’t save-me’ note to let me know because I can’t just leave someone dying without doing anything.” Brigitte became agitated. Was this what people get after saving someone?
“I’m not sure how I get here but my father’s people are out to kill me. I am wanted.”
“Your father?” Brigitte gasped. How could a father want his son dead? “Why do they want to kill you?”
“It’s a long story.” He looked away.
“Wait, you’re not some murderer, are you?” She muttered. What if….
“No, no, I just accidentally saw something that shouldn’t be seen. And now they want me dead.”
“Really? That doesn’t sound fair.” Brigitte watched him with suspicion but she found no deception. Could she really trust him?
“Life is never fair, especially not to me.” David looked at her. She was petite and beautiful but she looked scared. No, he didn’t want to scare her. She looked innocent and she had saved him. He shouldn’t dump his bitterness on her. “Please, don’t be afraid of me. I didn’t hurt anyone and I won’t harm you.”
Brigitte saw the sincerity in his eyes. “I can trust you?”
David turned cold. He didn’t need anyone to trust him. No one trusted him and he certainly wouldn’t start begging now. He lived alone for a long time, for all his life. “I don’t care whether you trust me or not.”
“Well, but you’re staying in my house.”
“Then I should be leaving now. Sorry for bothering you.” He started walking out of the door. At least he could move now. He didn’t need anyone to help him or to trust him. He had stayed alive without all that; there was no reason he couldn’t continue. The thing was she did save him and like it or not, he owed her. Damn it all, he didn’t need to be saved, didn’t want to. That was her decision. Now he would take care of himself and stayed away from Kalas and all hunters.
------------------------------- CHAPTER 2 -----------------------------------
Brigitte was angry. It was her who saved him. How could he tell her that? Note to self: this guy really needed his head examined very soon. She caught up with him and stopped him. How could he simply walk out like that? This was ridiculous; shouldn’t he be the one with gratitude and not getting angry at her?
“Are you crazy? You’re badly injured. You maybe had a concussion also. I trust you, ok? Come back and rest.”
“What? You’re not scared that I might kill you anymore?”
“In your condition, I can kill you first.” This guy was insane.
“Why did you do that?’
“Because you can barely walk and I don’t want some policeman calls me to pick you up in the street.”
“We’re not related.” Even my relatives wouldn’t care.
“I appear to be the one who saved you and brought you home. Who do you think the police will call?”
David was stunned. Nobody gave a damn about him, not even his mother. And this woman offered him comfort. She pushed him back to the house.
“I’m going to make some pancakes. What do you want for breakfast?” She walked to the kitchen.
“Same as you. And what’s pancake?” David followed her.
“What country are you from?”
“Kalas. We don’t know pancake, and I never have breakfast in that matter.”
“Yeah, I only have breakfast in week-ends. I didn’t have time for breakfast either. I just drink some energy drink or something before I go to work. We’re slaves of time; we work like crazy.” Brigitte concurred.
That was not exactly his case. He hadn’t been allowed to have breakfast. His lunch and his dinner were always what were left after his family had eaten. Who cared if he was starving? He had to fight the other slaves to have his meal. This was the first time he had breakfast and didn’t need to fight for it.
Brigitte placed three pancakes in a plate, poured the syrup on top and slid the plate to him. She watched him carefully eat his pancakes and make her own plate. She giggled at his gesture. He seemed very new on how to use a fork.
“I know you’re hungry. You don’t need to keep your manner. Be comfortable. You’re eating like a kitten.”
David put the whole pancake into his mouth. This was the best food ever. “It’s delicious. I never tasted anything better.”
“What’s your favorite food?”
“I don’t have one. My foods were tasteless or I was too tired to know after a fight.”
“Fight? You mean you have to fight before a meal?” That was weird; was this some kind of job?
David cursed himself at his slip. “I have to fight other slaves in order to not be starved.”
“Slaves? What country still has slavery? Oh my God, I’m so sorry. That’s terrible.” Brigitte stared at him in disbelief. That explained his back’s scars.
David became silent. He didn’t want to share who he was with her. But she saved him, he owed her his life. She wasn’t his father’s people. She could kill him many times if she intended to. Her eyes shone with kindness that he never knew. She touched his hand.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it.” His hand was callused. He was lean and tall, his muscles indicated how much and how hard he had to work. His short brown hair embraced his masculine face. His green eyes were painful, cold and yet gentle and craving for warmth. He was perfectly handsome.
“I owe you my life.” David began. He was also wanted and he was staying at her house. She deserved at least the truth from him. “I trust you; have you really wanted me dead, you hadn’t saved me. Actually, I’m half slave, half prince.”
“How so?” How could he be such an impossible mix?
David didn’t want to go into it. But when he felt her comfort on his hand, he wanted someone to know him; he wanted to let someone to his heart. No, the moment that she insisted him to get some rest despite his anger and misunderstandings already took her closer to his heart. Maybe he could count his confession as an inability to think clearly due to injuries. Before he could stop himself, his words tumbled out of his mouth.
“My mother is the queen. She slept with an ugliest slave in revenge for the unfaithful king. I’m her unwanted child. She hates me; she let me live only to remind the king of his faults. My true father didn’t even know I exist. I doubt the king let him live after he learnt the truth. I worked and lived as a slave. No one ever wants me. Even the slaves hate me because I’m different; I’m practically half noble blooded.”
“Then why does your father, I mean the king, want to kill you now, after all these years?”
“I accidentally saw the king’s affair with my aunt. He wants me dead to keep his secret.”
“Your aunt, your mother’s sister?” Brigitte was aghast.” But your mother knew your king unfaithful for a long time.”
“Not his affair with my aunt. The king married my mother for power. He didn’t really love her and she knew it. My mother loves him but she grows possessive over him. And my father doesn’t want to lose power after tasting it.”
This was a family tragedy. Nobody deserved a life like his because of his parents’ faults. “I’m really sorry, David.” Tears swelled in her eyes as she felt pain for him.
“Don’t be. You’re the only one offering me comfort.”
She stood up and hugged him. That was so unfair; she didn’t want him dead. “Stay here, Dave. Don’t ever come back there. Start a new life here. You can share the house with me.” That was a reasonable thing to do.
He simply shook his head. “They’ll find me here. I’ll bring danger to you. That’s the thing that I never want to happen. I don’t want you to get hurt because of me or your kindness. You saved me and that was enough. You shouldn’t get killed because of saving someone you shouldn’t.”
“I’m not scared of it. You told me the truth because you don’t want to put me in danger, proving you’re a kind person. The world always needs more kind people, a little danger in my life would be worth saving you.”
“A little? Brigitte, I’m talking about a king with power who wants me dead. Don’t be foolish. I’m not worth your life.”
“I don’t mind if my life has a spice of adventure and danger. That would be thrilling.” She stopped smiling when she saw his face. Then she said more firmly “I won’t let you go out there, seeking death. I live alone long enough. It would be a nice change to have a kind person like you living with me.”
“You’re not right, are you?” He stared at her in bewilderment.
“Maybe. But endangering my life a little for someone is better than loneliness.”
“How can you be lonely? Do you have family? Friends?”
“My family died in a fire. You know what the worst thing is? I denied their love and comfort back then. I was rebellious and stupid. I just wish I could go back and tell them how much I love them, how much they mean to me. And friends? I have best friends but they have their own lives also. It’s the empty feeling when you go home at night and be alone.” She couldn’t stop her tears flowing. Damn it, she didn’t want to cry. It sounded silly compared to his misery.
“I’m sorry to hear that. But I’m sure your family knew that you loved them.” David held her in his arms, trying to soothe her. He didn’t know how to ease the past like she did when she hugged him. He never comforted anyone and no one showed him such thing. Until her. She offered him more than he could dream of: a warm place to stay, kindness, trust, and companionship. He liked her, a lot. Who wouldn’t like her? What should he say to make her smile again? Seeing her hurt and crying twisted his gut. It felt strange and unfamiliar. He saw hatred and disgust but never hurt or gentleness. Simply holding her gave him an imaginable comfort. He hated the fact that she was crying but it felt good holding her. He didn’t think about his past. The pain and the hatred in everyone’s eyes vanished from his mind. All he could feel was her softness, her warmth, her hot tears. Her mint scent filled his nostrils and his head. A strange desire shot through him. He wanted to stay with her forever.
Brigitte hated herself for her nervous breakdown and yet she found comfort in his arms. Here, she felt strangely safe, not so lonely now. Even though she just knew him, she felt herself attracted to him. Her pain somehow eased a lot when David wiped her tears. She wanted to be closer to him; she never had such an urge toward any man. Despite the danger they were in, she cared about him too much that the thought of him leaving hurt.
“Please, stay here. I…” She sobbed.
“Yes, Brigitte, I’ll stay here with you; I have nowhere else to go. If you’re not scared, I love to stay here. Actually, I want to stay with you forever or until you grow tired of me.”
“Well, that’s when we need some thrill to spice things up, huh?”
David smiled, a first true smile. She looked so fragile. He didn’t care if the assassins kill him but if they hurt her, he’d kill them. Nobody harmed one of her hair as long as he breathed. He couldn’t allow that; he would protect her with all he had. She was all he had. My precious one. David found the urge to touch her face. Unaware of what he was doing, he hovered his lips close to hers, imagining he was kissing her. He wouldn’t dare, she was too good for him. He couldn’t have anything, especially her, the woman he wanted for himself.
Brigitte couldn’t breathe as she felt his hot breath close to her. Her heart raced. She crossed the distance between their lips. He returned the kiss furiously, his tongue swirled with hers. He was sweet with a hint of woody scent.
David couldn’t think; he was lost as he tasted the syrup and tiny bit of mint. She pulled back and smiled at him. “We should go back to our cold pancakes” Her cheeks flushed. “Do you want to go to the movie with me and my girlfriends tonight?”
“I’ll go anywhere with you.” What’s the movie?
Her smile widened “Good, we have to do some shopping. You need clothes. I can show you the town too. We’ll have lunch outside, come back here to prepare and we’ll go see my friends at eight.”
“Ok, one question, what’s the movie?” David chewed the pancake.
“Oh, it’s motion picture with sound and all. It’s people acting out a story.”
“Is it like a play?”
“Not quite. They filmed the movie and show it on a flat screen. You’ll see tonight. It’s cool. On that thought, you make me so curious about Kalas. What does it look like?”
“In my point of view, it’s surely worse than here, no pancake and no cool movie. There’s castle, king and queen, horses and wagons. It’s totally different.”
“Hm, sound like medieval time which is interesting.” Brigitte started cleaning up. “Ok, get ready. Oh shit, you don’t have any shoe or shirt.”
“I don’t need them. I used to walk barefoot all the time, no big deal.”
“You can step on some nails or something. No, let me see, I have some big flip-flop for Alex or other guys some night before.” She dug in her closet and took out a pair of funny looking green shoe.
“Who’s Alex?” Well, at least he had shoes.
“The doctor who fixed you and is one of my best friends.” She giggled at the sight of a tanned guy with a brace on his bare chest, and tight black sweatpants in a green flip-flop.
“We can go now. I’m ready.” David looked at her curiously.
She resisted the urge to laugh or take his picture to share with the girls later. Instead, she changed to jeans and a T-shirt, took her purse and walked out with him beside her.
----------------------------------- CHAPTER 3 --------------------------------------------
David and Brigitte went through many shops. Every time Brigitte helped him try a top, her touch made him hardened. They had a lot of fun together. Oh, how he loved her laughter. They had hamburger for lunch, it was delicious. He never knew there was such simple and good food like that. They wandered through parks and streets. The town was beautiful and peaceful. But he couldn’t be sure because he’d been busy watching her. She was so pretty, she was like an angel down to earth and she was with him. She was his angel.
Brigitte liked David. A lot. He was shy to everyone but opened to her. He was simply comfortable to talk to. And he was gorgeous, even though she forced him to try silly clothes. She never spent so much money like that in one day and yet she didn’t regret anything. David was kind and funny also, he was everything a woman wanted at a man, everything she wanted at a man.
“Where did you get that black pants for me?” David asked.
“From Alex. It didn’t fit you, right?”
“No, it was a little tight. I figured it was better than being naked.”
Brigitte turned playfully at him “So you thought I was an assassin or something? Did I look that scary?”
”No, I thought it was a new kind of torture when a beautiful woman took care of me without intention of killing me. I couldn’t believe that was possible. I thought I was captured by one of my father’s people.”
“Beautiful? No, I’m not.” She laughed and blushed at his compliment but felt happy. No man ever found her attractive. “Come to think of it, how did you get out of Kalas?”
“I’m not sure. I thought I was still in Kalas. I think I somehow ran through the door of dimensions.” David said thoughtfully.
“Door of dimension?”
“It’s the gate to go from one dimension to another.”
What? Brigitte felt like she got lost in some twilight zone. “I don’t understand. What do you mean another dimension?”
David realized that she had no idea of the existence of another world. “There are different dimensions, different worlds existing parallel. You live here in Dello with TV, car, and theater while I live in Kalas with king, queen, and slavery at the same time. It’s rare to go to another dimension. People usually don’t know about another world and ordinary people can’t cross the gate.”
“What do you mean ordinary, are you not?”
”I’m different. I have magic since my mother is a sorceress.”
“What? Magic? You’re joking me, right?”
“Not a bit, I’m serious. I can manifest weapons, jump high and land without any damage.”
Brigitte gaped as she realized that he was perfectly serious. Her eyes were almost bulged out in disbelief. A thought crossed her mind. “Wait, do you have psychic power also? Like mind reading, telepath…”
“No, I only have telekinesis. That’s it.”
“Lucky me, I don’t want anyone to read my mind. It’s a scary thought. I never think such a supernatural thing exists.”
“Are you afraid of me now? I just tell you the truth, I…”
“No, fortunately, I read a lot of fictions. It doesn’t really shock me; I just never thought I would meet one for real. But are you sure that are all your powers? I mean, you’re not capable of poofing stuff, right?”
“I swear. That’s all I can do. I’m not very powerful.”
“Not? You’re powerful. Nobody can do that, not in this world.” Actually, she wasn’t sure about this world anymore. “Not that I know of anyway.”
“Not enough to escape the king. My mother is a strong sorceress; she shares her power with the king because she loves him.”
“I guess you meant magical power and political power back when you told me that your father married your mother. But how could your mother share her magic to your king? And he’s unfaithful even though your mother loves him that much? Oh, man are pigs and dogs.”
“Uhm…”
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean you.”
”It’s alright. My mother strengthened my father’s power since he’s a magician himself but he’s weak. His capacity is stronger than before but never enough to defeat my mother who wants to possess him.”
“Wow, that’s a complicated tragedy.”
“Now you know how much danger you can be in, do you want me to leave?” David’s gaze floored to the ground. What if she says yes?
“No, do you?” Brigitte pulled his face up to meet her gaze.
“No.” David smile, relieved. He shouldn’t feel relieved, he should leave her alone but oddly relief was what he felt. “I think you’ll have a good laugh with your friends when you tell them about me.” He lightened up the mood.
“I won’t tell them anything about that unless I want them to decide that I’m mental.”
David laughed then; he loved her humor.
“I’ll introduce you as an ordinary person. You got hurt because you had been chased by some wild animals and you’re staying with me until you become acquainted with the town.”
“Good explanation.”
“I know this is a personal question but I’m just curious. Why is your last name Kalas?”
“Because I don’t have a last name. My mother hates me; she obviously didn’t want me to have her last name. My biological father is a slave and slaves don’t have last name. We never knew each other. I think it’s best to take my country’s name.”
Brigitte took his hand in hers. They walked side by side, hand in hand, feeling relaxing. Being together was wonderful.
---------------------------------------- CHAPTER 4 -------------------------------------------
David and Brigitte were waiting in front of the theatre.
David was elegant in a white silk shirt and black pants. Brigitte couldn’t get the image of his lean front, his tawny packs out of her mind. She couldn’t stop thinking about how good he felt under her hands. The man was handsome, a little animalistic and…yummy.
David couldn’t take his eyes off Brigitte. She was so lovely in her white dress. She looked more like an angel than ever, his angel. Sometimes, he caught her blushing as their eyes met.
“Brig!” Marguerite shouted.
Brigitte turned to greet her friends. “Hey, Marge! Hi, Nat!”
Natalie teased “We caught you guys staring at each other hungrily.”
David dropped his gaze to the ground, embarrassed by getting caught.
“So, you are the guy lying in blood.” Marge said, offering her hand and searching his eyes.
“David Kalas. Thank you for saving me.” He shook her hand and did the same with Natalie.
“Dave, this is Marguerite and this is Natalie.” Brigitte introduced her friends. David just nodded.
“Nice to meet you. What happened to you back then?” Natalie asked.
“I was chased by some wild animal.”
“What animal?” Marguerite asked.
David hesitated, looked at Brigitte briefly and answered. “A coyote.”
“How?” Marguerite didn’t give it up.
“I don’t remember.” David didn’t know what to say, he gave Brigitte a meaningful look.
“Leave him alone, Marge. You’re giving him a headache.” Brigitte saved him from answering.
“You’re acting weird. Don’t you want to know? Where is he staying?” Marge raised a brow.
“With me, of course. He’s not fully recovered yet and he’s alone. He’ll stay with me until he becomes familiar with the town.” Brigitte shrugged nonchalantly.
“He’s been recovering very fast then. Sound like someone caught a good-looking guy.”
“Drop it, Marge.” Brigitte snapped.
“You’re blushing. So, where are you from, Dave? Do you have family?” Natalie mused.
“I don’t have a family.” David saddened.
“Stop interrogating him. We should come in before the movie ends.” Brigitte cut off the conversation.
“Okay. Don’t worry, Brig. He’s all yours.” Marge held her hands up in surrender and grinned at Brigitte.
The movie was about a vampire falling in love with a human girl. The girls oohed and awed at the couple while David just smiled at them. Movie was amazing, sound and moving pictures telling a story in a very vivid way. After the movie, they went for ice-cream, another delicious food he’d ever tasted. The three girls chatted non-stop and laughed. David just nodded or said yes or no, no matter Marguerite and Natalie teased him mute trying to get his story. He enjoyed their company and seeing Brigitte laughing and blushing. Finally, they parted to go home.
“Did you have fun tonight?” Brigitte asked David when they got home.
“Yes, it’s the first time I have fun. Thank you.”
“First time?” She felt for him, a prince who never had fun. “So why were you so quiet the whole time? Actually, you barely spoke to everyone but me.”
“Because I’m not used to interact with others. You’re different, you know me, the real me, and it’s comfortable to talk to you.”
“Thanks, you too.” Brigitte felt warm up inside. “You had a long day. Are you tired?”
“It’s okay. This is the easiest day since I was born.”
“Oh, but you’re still injured and tired. I think you just set a record for fastest recovery.”
“Anyone with magical power heals faster than normal. By tomorrow, my broken arm will be healed like it was never broken.”
“Wow, that’s handy.” Brigitte pushed him to bed.
“Where do you sleep, Brig? I remembered waking up alone.”
“On the couch. My house is small; it comes with an advantage that it takes not much time to clean up. You don’t expect me to let an injured man sleep on the couch, do you?”
“How about we share the bed tonight?”
“No, you need space.”
“I used to sleep on the floor. I don’t need that much space.”
“No. Come on, we’re adults. You’re hurt and you need a comfortable bed.”
“Like you said, we’re adults. Please.”
“Are you sure?”
“Hey, it’s your house. You sleep in the bed or I’ll go to the couch.”
“Fine, then.”
When they settled down, they realized it was a mistake. Brigitte couldn’t breathe as their body touched each other. He was so warm, masculine and strong. Desire spread through her. This was awkward but she felt happy and safe inside.
David couldn’t sleep as he felt her softness against his skin. He was bare chest and she was wearing a blue pajama. Her light scent wakened another part of him. Good thing he still had his pants on. No woman had touched him as a person. No one ever had regarded him as a person. And now, all he could think of was how would she look like naked. That wasn’t right; he couldn’t have someone too good like her. Still, he wanted her. For once, he wanted to claim her for himself. His breath labored as she put one hand on his arm. He turned to face her. She was already asleep. She looked peaceful and beautiful. Before he could think better, he wrapped his arm around her and cuddled her. Her breath was hot and easy. Yeah, he could lie like this forever. Holding her was heaven; her presence soothed him on an unimaginable level. Right now, no past haunted him, no death warrant worried him. All he saw was her angelic face, all he sensed was her fragile and soft body, and all he smelled was her mint scent. And all he felt inside was not pain, anger, or exhaustion but warmth and comfort.
And love.
Love? He barely knew her. That wasn’t true, she knew him; she knew the truth of him and wasn’t repelled by him. He knew her past and feelings too; he made her smile again when she cried. That counted, right? There was no denying what he felt about her. He cared about her and he would kill anyone who tried to hurt her like that vampire in the movie.
This was his paradise. She was his paradise, his haven. He became selfish; he wouldn’t want to let her go but he would damn himself if she ever got hurt because of him. But he stayed with her now, at least for awhile more. Hoping this awhile was long, preferably never ended, he drifted off to sleep, to his first undisturbed dream.
“Beep, beep, beep!”
David jerked off the bed, manifested a knife, ready to fight. He looked around and found no threat. The noise was from a small blue box on the night stand. Shit, is it some kind of signal to let the king know I’m here? I knew it, why would she help me? You stupid fuck, kill her now and then run.
------------------------------------------ CHAPTER 5 ----------------------------------------------
Brigitte turned off the clock lazily. She opened her eyes, still groggy. Until she saw David holding a knife over her. Shit!
“What are you doing? You’re going to kill me now?” She asked, terrified.
“Maybe. Now, tell me the truth, where am I? When are you gonna give me to the king? What do you want with me?” His eyes were dead cold.
“What are you talking about? I thought we were clear on this. I just woke up, no just opened my eyes and saw you trying to cut my throat. The question is what do you want with me?”
“Stop lying to me, woman, you just sent some signal or something to the king about our location.”
“Signal? Are you on crack?”
“How do you explain the noise?”
“What noise?” A pause then she realized what he meant. “Do you mean the alarm clock?”
“Alarm clock? This blue small box?” He asked, unfamiliar with the word.
“Yeah, and it’s not a GPS so no signal to your king.”
“Oh, I…I’m sorry.” He felt embarrassed. The knife dissolved into thin air. He had intended to kill her.
“Yeah! Whatever!” Brigitte stomped into the bathroom. She was mad. Maybe she shouldn’t let him live here after all. She slammed the bathroom door; she needed space to think clearly. She took a hot shower; water calmed her nerves and felt good on her skin. In the end, she knew she couldn’t let him go, not like this, when he was still frightened and hurt. She would prove to him that not everyone meant him harm. She sighed, yeah, girl, you know how to get into troubles! And stepped out of the shower.
David disgusted with himself. How could he doubt her? He even thought about killing her, her, his angel. He couldn’t look at her now. He wanted to slip through a crack on the ground when she approached him. She hated him now, she should.
Brigitte saw him sitting on the side of the bed; he looked lost and miserable. Good for him, he lived in my house and wanted to kill me! She hesitated before touching his shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Brigitte, I truly am. I never met anyone who doesn’t hate me. I’m sorry, so sorry.” He made it barely more than a whisper.
“Apology accepted.” Brigitte shook his shoulder, wanting him to look at her. “It’s okay; nothing happened. No blood, no foul.”
David finally looked up at her. She was so sincere and naïve. He lost words; he didn’t know what to say. He choked back his tears. She was the first one ever looking at him as a person and he almost killed her for nothing.
Brigitte smiled. “Look, I have to go to work. You stay home; don’t open the door for anyone. I give you the key of the house. You can wander around but don’t go too far, you can get lost. Just remember to lock the door when you go out.”
David was shocked. “You’re not mad at me. I, I put you in danger and you’re gonna give me your house’s key?”
Brigitte shrugged. ”I was mad. But I know you didn’t want to kill me.”
“I did think, I…oh, I’m terrible.” David said hoarsely.
Brigitte sighed. Shit, he did want to kill you, girl, you’re out of your mind. “Look, lighten up, no harm done. Just forget about it. Don’t make me fell ridiculous trying to convince my killer.”
David couldn’t say a word. What could he say? He just nodded and promised himself never to doubt her ever again.
“Foods are in the fridge. I’ll cook something tonight. I gotta go now. I’m late. Enjoy the day and be careful. I want to see you when I get home.”
“Don’t worry; I’ll be right here waiting for you.”
Brigitte got to the clinic late, again. Alex was grinning at her.
“How’s your patient? Keep you busy?”
“He’s okay. He’s almost healed.”
“Wow, that’s fast. Impossible too, mind to tell me why?”
“Good genes?” That was an understatement.
“Can we examine him? It’ll be fascinating, healing DNA.”
“Alex!!! You have enough people to examine already.”
“Okay, just a thought. Really promising though.”
Brigitte shot him a dirty look; Alex held up his hands. “Fine , but how is he, really? Don’t tell he’s all fine and warm bunny.”
“I’ll tell you at lunch. I owed you; now get to work.”
“Sounds good. D5W for Mrs. Stone, MRI for Mr. Smith.”
Brigitte told Alex about David, of course, she left out the magic part and this morning accident. Alex was her best friend; if he knew David harmed her, he came fuming at him.
“Well, be careful then. If he treats you badly, he’ll be on his way onto my steel table.”
--------------------------------------- CHAPTER 6 -----------------------------------------------
David stayed at home. It was weird to have absolutely nothing to do. He took a walk, enjoying the sensation of the sunshine on his skin. He picked some best flowers he saw. When he got home, Brigitte was not home yet. A woman was working and a slave was doing nothing. It was so strange to grasp that concept. He found a broom in her closet and started cleaning her house.
Brigitte knocked on her door. Note to self: need to tell him about the door bell. David opened the door and smiled at her boyishly. The house felt warm and right. David gave her a bouquet of wild flowers; he averted his eyes.
“I took a walk. I thought of you and these flowers reminded me of you. You deserve better but I didn’t see anything else.”
“It’s beautiful, thank you.” Brigitte cut his sentence.
Nobody gave her flower before. Her friends did but it was not the same. He had made the bouquet himself, picked every single flower: orange, yellow, pink… colorful. She gave him a quick peek on his cheek.
David froze; his eyes bulged out. His emotions choked him that he couldn’t stop one tear sliding down his cheek. He looked her in the eyes and was surprised even more as Brig gave him a tight hug.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Brigitte. I’ll never doubt you again.”
“Stop saying sorry. Forgiven and forgotten. It’s understandable that you didn’t trust me.”
”You did trust me.”
“I still do. I didn’t see as much bad things as you did.”
“I don’t deserve you.”
”I’m not that good.” Brigitte stopped abruptly when she smelled something burning.
“Oh, shit….” Brigitte ran to the kitchen and hastily took the pan, which was now black, off the fire. David rushed in and covered the fire with a blanket to extinguish it.
“I’m sorry, I forgot the pan. God, I keep causing troubles.”
“It’s all right; we got it in time. Don’t feel bad; I almost burned the house down myself hundred times.”
David raised an eyebrow. Brig waved her hand dismissively at his questioning gaze. “I’m clumsy, very clumsy. Err, quick question, why didn’t you use the stove?”
David looked at her, dumfounded. “The stove?”
Of course he didn’t know about the stove. That was why he made a fire out of woods and three bricks put together. Brig showed him calmly, suppressing the urge to laugh. It was funny looking at his glazed eyes and the three bricks next to the stove. “This is the stove. You put a pan on here; and you turn on the fire like this. You can lower the heat like this.”
Dave’s jaw dropped. “Amazing, it’s convenient and quick too.”
“Yeah, great technology. I can’t imagine to find some woods and struggle to ignite some rocks everyday. Ha, me doing it would be funny, I probably wouldn’t get the fire going for the whole night.”
David felt relieved; she wasn’t even mad. Man, if he made a small mistake back home, his stomach and his back would suffer. Brig turned to him. ”Why didn’t you wait for me to cook?”
“You work all day and I’m doing nothing. I’m trying to cook some soup for you.”
“Aw, that’s nice. Most men never think like you; they think it’s our job to do everything, especially chores. You’re something.”
“Uhm…” She complimented him, after the incident this morning and the fire. Wow, she wasn’t like anyone he’d ever known.
“Well, I’ll cook spaghetti tonight, my best dish.” She started taking tomatoes and ground beef out of the bags.
“I’ll help. Tell me what to do.”
They cooked together and it was fun. Really, how many men would help their wives to clean the house, cook dinner and appreciate them for what they did? He’s not most men, Brig, he didn’t know. They set the table and started eating dinner together. Brig found Dave’s look amusing when he stared at the dish and fork, ready to dig in by his bare hands.
“Here, let me show you.” She came over him, picked a fork.
David watched her delicate hand holding his, showing him how to twist and get the pasta. Up close, she smelled so good that he couldn’t even smell the food. He took a mouthful of pasta. Oh, heaven, he’d never known such delicious food even existed. Lots of favors well mixed together singed his taste buds.
“How is it?” Brig asked.
“It’s so good. It’s heaven.” He closed his eyes to savor the taste.
“Thank you, enjoy.” He was the first one to ever find much pleasure in devouring her food. “So, how was your day?”
“The best ever, except for this morning. It’s odd, to have absolutely nothing to do. How about you?”
“Better than most days,” because of you, “same routine but at least I have someone sharing dinner with me.”
David felt his face heated. People can’t even stand near him and she looked delighted to have dinner with him, and he heated down slow too. After dinner, he washed the dishes and she put away the left over.
“I’m gonna take a shower, after that I will indulge myself with chocolate ice-cream. Oh, yes, you should try it too. Chocolate!” Brig said happily
She obviously loved chocolate. He wondered how it tasted, it couldn’t be better than her. He heard the water running, and he started imagining water trimming down her naked body. He got so hot and hard just thinking about it. He needed a cold shower, a very long one.
Brig stepped into his sight. God, she looked edible and smelled wonderful. “I need a shower too.” A very cold one.
“Oh sure, feel free. I’ll take out the ice-cream.”
---------------------------------------- CHAPTER 7 ------------------------------------------
The cold shower didn’t help much and it was all futile when he got out and saw her holding out a bowl to him. He took a spoonful into his mouth. It was cold and so sweet.
“Wow, it’s good.”
“Yes, they say chocolate feel as good as kisses. It can be substitute for sex.” Oh, why did she mention it?
“Not nearly as good as you.” He claimed his mouth shut.
“No need to flatter me. I’m sure you’ve had many women.” Of course, looking yummy like him….
“I’ve had two. They offered themselves to me, more like demanded me. I…um…I wasn’t into that. I was…um….angry and curious.”
“Everyone is curious about that, most of all boys. I can see why they wanted you. You’re gorgeous, even I….” Wait, why is she going down this road? Shut up, Brig!
“You what? You think I’m gorgeous?” Was she saying she wanted him too? He would never pass on the offer, because he wanted her too, badly.
“I think you are.” She mindlessly dug into her ice-cream.
David lifted her chin and touched his lips with hers. She opened her mouth for him and he kissed her hard. He put the bowl aside and held her face by both hands. She tasted sweet, with a drugging chocolate taste. He felt dizzy, the earth rocked beneath him. He dragged her closer to him. He heard her gasp. He stopped, lifted his face and saw her spoonful ice-cream running down her neck.
Brigitte blushed; she put down her bowl and reached for some tissues.
David dipped his head to her neck and caught the ice-cream then trailed back to her mouth by his tongue. He lifted her and pressed her body to his. “Tell me to stop and I will.” He whispered.
“I don’t want you to stop.” She barely worked her voice. He moaned and carried her to bed. “I want you, Brigitte.”
He lowered her on the bed. He kissed her everywhere, her mouth, her cheeks, her neck, everywhere. Then, he licked her ears while tearing her clothes off her and his own.
Brig felt like burning; she couldn’t even see the room. All she saw was him raining kisses on her, and then she heard the fabric tore off. She suddenly felt nervous as cool air hit her. Dave noticed her shift of emotions. “Am I too heavy for you?”
“No, I’m um…just…It’s been a long time.” She murmured it so low he almost couldn’t catch it. He was stunned, how could no man want her? She was breathtaking; he was dying with wanting her.
She became more self-conscious about her nudity. Her body stiffened even more. “Stop staring at me!”
“I can’t take my eyes off you. You’re beautiful, so beautiful.” He gazed hungrily at her.
“Really?” But I have a 12 years old boy’s body. I’m so plain.
“Yes, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
That sounded so much like a lie, but it was nice too.
“You don’t believe it?” He asked, surprised. He took her to the bathroom and made her look in the mirror. “Look, it’s so obvious that I don’t know why you can’t see it. Your face is lovely and loving. Your breasts are perfect, not too big, perfect for me and they’re making me wild. Your legs are long and lean. Your skin is so smooth and soft. To me, you’re a goddess.”
Oddly, she never saw it that way. Hearing him describing her, she felt beautiful.
Seeing her widened eyes, he was baffled by her blindness. How come she doesn’t see it? “And your smile is like sunshine.” Her smile widened, it felt great to have someone love and appreciate her body, even more than herself. Her mood lightened up. “Wow, I didn’t know you know how to say cheesy lines.”
“ Cheesy? It’s the truth.” He frowned.
She pushed him back to the bed and kissed him passionately. He flipped her to her back and started trailing kisses down her body. When he stared at her core, his emotions choked him at the glistening sight of her. “You’re so delicate.” He kissed her there. He licked and sucked and devoured her. Yes….you’re wet. She wants me too; I can split open right now, just by knowing it. She tasted like warm, sweet honey and so erotic. He growled at how good she tasted as he delved deeper into her.
Brig couldn’t get enough air to her lungs. All her senses whirled. She never could have imagined kissing alone could make her gone wild like this. He moaned in his throat, as if he loved it and couldn’t get enough. She bucked; the room spun, and waves of pleasures radiated from there to all over her body. When she got her sight back, Dave hovered over her; his erection pressed against her core. She reached up, pulled him down and kissed him senseless. He groaned and swiftly thrust himself into her. She gasped at the sharp discomfort. He was still, and licked her ears and kissed her mouth, his hands massaging her breasts. “I’m sorry. Did it hurt?”
She shook her head and held him closer. He stayed still and kept kissing and licking her for a long time. The pressure became more bearable and she could feel him long, thick and rigid within her. He filled her completely. The sensation was nice. She started moving. He took the hint and pumped into her slow and gentle. The feeling of him there and him holding her like she was fragile and precious to him was exquisite. They picked up pace; she moaned and writhed underneath him. The pressure built and built until she couldn’t stand it anymore. Suddenly, she went over the edge, screaming as waves and waves of pleasures washed through her, released all her tension and she felt floated away. He thrust wildly into her, one, twice. He grunted and grunted and then he shouted as his body convulsed and he shuddered.
They lay together, holding each other close, catching their breath. He was on her side and still inside her. Once she found her voice, she said. “That was amazing.”
“Oh, that was crazy good. I’ve never felt that good in my life.”
She sighed in satisfaction and then something hit her. “We didn’t use protection.”
“What?” He asked, confused, all the while running his hand up and down her arm.
“Condom. I mean, it’s not a most romantic to say, but um… condom is used to prevent pregnancy and disease.”
“Disease? I…” He withdrew from her, embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t...”
“No, you got me wrong. There’re sexual transmitted diseases. You don’t have one; I know for sure since I checked you up back in the hospital.”
“Oh. You don’t have to worry about getting pregnant. I’m sterile.” I’m so relieved to hear you don’t mind a slave.
“What? Are you sure?”
“Yes, the king sterilizes me. I’m kinda hybrid of a most powerful sorceress and the lowly, disgusting slave and I’m the proof of anger and vengeance and….”
“Enough! You’re you; that’s all I care.” She silenced him by putting her finger on his lips.
He smiled and snuggled even closer to her. This had to be the best night of his life, the most special night, ever.
Brigitte woke up with the wonderful feeling of being held. She turned to face him, realizing he was awake and another part of him was awake as well. “Good morning.”
“You looked peaceful like an angel when you were asleep.”
“Thanks, it’s great to start a day with a nice compliment.”
He smiled. He looked extremely sexy with his crazy bed hair. “You’re welcome. I can give you ton of compliments everyday if you want.”
“No, I’ll pass. I don’t want you to flatter me every day.”
“I’m not flattering. Uhm, Brig?”
“Yes?”
“Are you okay? Are you sore?”
“I’m fantastic.” Even more when he asked her. “Thank you, last night was wonderful.”
Unbelievable, she’s thanking me for last night!! She thanked me for being marked by a slave? He was overwhelmed with his emotions; he couldn’t find words to tell her. He moved down her body and licked her thigh.
“Oh, Dave, you don’t have to….” She was aroused again.
“I want to. And now, I will wash you.”
He carried her to the bathroom, turned on the shower and started to wash her. Her skin was so soft and all the water made her steaming sexy. He hardened even more; he wanted her again but he didn’t want to hurt her so soon. He lowered his head to take her nipples into his mouth. The way she held on to him and her hands gripped his hair made him moaning. He straightened up, lifted her face and whispered. “Stay home with me.”
“Hmmm, wait, what?” She was purring.
“Stay home with me.” He repeated, one hand trailing down her back to cup her bottom.
“Oh, no.” She suddenly became alert. “What time is it? I forgot to set up the alarm. I’m late. God, you’re so distracting, I almost forgot that I have to go to work.”
She started stepping out of the shower; he held her back. “Take a day off.”
“No, I can’t. I’m sorry, Dave. Alex is gonna be swamped by work and I have some works to finish too.”
“Okay.” He turned off the shower, reached a towel and dried her off.
She brushed her teeth and ran to her closet. She yanked on her khaki and a blue blouse. David put on his jean and a blue T-shirt. “Can I go with you?”
“To work? No, you’ll be bored. I have to take care of clients all day.” She was buttoning her blouse.
“Then I walk you to work then.” He insisted.
“Okay, if you’re going to town, try not to get lost. Alright, let’s go.”
“You don’t have breakfast yet.” He frowned.
“No time. It’s too late. I’m always late.” She took her purse and practically hauled him to the door.
David chuckled, locked the door and strode with her. “This is not good. Are you always like that in the morning?”
“I don’t like morning. I’m always late, especially today.” She shot him a look.
“But you have that alarm clock.”
“Yeah, a lot of time I snooze it off and lingered in the blanket a little longer. I just can’t help it, old habit.” She laughed
“Not a good one, no wonder you’re so skinny.” It’s good that you’re here, so you don’t get hurt if you’re late. “Everything will be ok if you’re late?”
“Alex is gonna be pissed. Can’t blame him, it’s totally my fault.” She sighed.
They stopped in front of the clinic door. “Ok, I’m off to work. Have a nice day, sweetie.” She hopped a kiss on his lips. He held her head fast and lingered on her lips. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Okay, see you, sweetie.” Her smile brightened than the sun and she disappeared behind the door. He stayed there for awhile and then wandered to the town.
--------------------------------------------- CHAPTER 8 -----------------------------------------
“You’re late!” Alex shouted at Brigitte angrily.
“I know; I’m sorry. I got distracted this morning. I’m really sorry.”
“You’re always late. This is almost noon. I wouldn’t be surprised if you showed up at closing time. What distracted you?”
“Not what, a who.” Brig mumbled.
“The healing weirdo guy?”
“Who else is in my house? And he’s not a weirdo.”
“There’s something weird in him and what happened now?”
“None of you business.”
“You’re late to my business. I want a good excuse. And you’re my best friend. Spill it out, what trouble does he cause now?”
“Not trouble.”
“Then what?”
”It’s…it’s private.”
“Hmm, you’re suspicious. Are you…you’re falling for him, aren’t you?”
“Maybe, so what? Can we concentrate on works now? I’ll make it up in week-end for today, okay?”
“Wait, but that didn’t explain why you’re late. Unless….unless….”
“WHAT?” Brig irritated.
“Well, he’s a new guy. So the only way he can distract you this late is either he’s sleeping with you or burns your house down, which is unlikely.”
“Well almost.” Brig smiled, thinking about the three bricks and the black pan.
“He burned your house? And you’re smiling?”
“Accident, Alex, and that was last night. My house is still fine.”
“Then it’s the other way.”
Her face turned red and Alex’s eyes bulged. “Wow, finally, you got your eyes on a guy. Is he...”
“SHUT UP. Get to work. Man, you have a big mouth; I bet you gossip more than women.”
“Hey, don’t tell your boss to shut up after showing up late, lady.”
”Right! Shouldn’t we concentrate on works now rather than my personal life, boss?” She dragged on the last word.
“Ouch, icy, Brig. I’m your best friend too. You’re always cranky in the morning, or noon.” Alex just grinned at her.
Brig glared at him and he just dismissed with his hand. “We’re not done yet. Now, can you take the blood test for Mr. Jones?”
David wandered to the hills on the east side of the town. This was probably where he had fallen off. The grass was green; wild flowers blossomed along the path. This is so beautiful. A forest was on the other side of the hills. Hmm, this town is almost closed off to the outside world. The door of dimensions probably located on top of the hill or in the forest. He jumped to the top of the hill and landed without a sound. The top was an open area but he could see the forest border farther away. He jumped and ran into there; then he slowed down, paying attention to the details of the forest. It looked perfectly normal. He walked around the forest, spreading his arms to feel any abnormal sign on the tree trunks. He didn’t find anything and the day was gone by.
The sun was setting; he was walking back toward the hill when his fingertip slightly brushed a small bolded line on a tree trunk. He stopped and looked closer. It was a black line, slightly bumped. It looked like a swollen burnt scar. Nothing could have caused this but a source of high heat finely cut it. It couldn’t be fire; the line was so neat, there was not even a small gray point around it. He summoned his magic power, his senses heightened, he could see every leaf of the tree, he could heard a bird flapping its wings on the tenth tree farther down, he could smell the rusty earth, the trees. He strained his eyes, trying to see the outlines of a door in thin air but he detected nothing. He put his hands up, feeling the air right next to the tree’s black scar. He spread his hands, circled his hands, trying to detect any kind of heat.
Suddenly, the top of his pinkie glowed; he stopped. There, he concentrated on the thin air, staring at his hand few inches away from the tree trunk. The glowing point spread into a bright yellow straight horizontal line, cutting the tree at that exact same burnt scar. His palm glowed, brushing the bright horizontal line. Under his touch, the line opened up a luminescent light spreading until a rectangular pool of liquid light formed. Oh, yes, bright, look like a water mirror in a middle of nowhere but it was not liquid; the air was in a different state of physics, it moved in waves like flowing liquid. The energy was higher than the surrounding; this was where two worlds connected. Dello town and where? The world beyond the door could be Kalas or any other world. He didn’t know how to direct the door. Can he even direct the door? Shit, this was the first time he tried to find a door, after all. Now what? Wait for it to close? Dumb, should have thought about what to do if he found the door. He was still staring at the door, contemplating what to do with it when someone passes through it and hit him down.
-------------------------------------- CHAPTER 9 ----------------------------------------------
On the reflex, David flipped so he was on top of the man. The man was wearing a brown robe with the kind’s symbol on the shoulder. He was middle-aged; his skin had a dark tone. He bared his yellow teeth. “Get off me, slave! So, you’re hiding here. Another world, who could have guessed!”
In order to not discourage readers by the words count, I only posted half story here, please visit my website for completely free full story http://bettypetite.weebly.com ---
