Transported into Another Dimension

Chapter 10 ~ Unfortunate Memories

Ella gazed into the dying fire. They were in a small cave near the mountains next to the Gremlin Woods. Crystal was trying to cook Ella sausages but most of them got burnt.

"Do you even know how to cook?" Ella asked, trying not to laugh at the silly attempts of Crystal almost burning her hand.

Crystal smiled, "Not quite, but it's nice to try."

The sun had just set, and the moon was slowly rising. It looked like a little hook. The mountain floor was icy cold, but Ella didn't care.

Finally, Crystal made two -slightly burnt- sausages. They looked unappetizing.

"Thanks, I guess..." Ella said as Crystal handed over the sausages, "What do you eat normally anyways?"

Crystal shrugged, "Honestly, I eat beetroot soup. It's the only thing that grows outside the Cave of Memories,"

Ella bit into the soft sausage. It tasted very burnt. She didn't want to hurt Crystal's feelings, so she forced herself to swallow it.

After a while, Ella finished the two sausages. Crystal suggested that stay up for a bit longer and talk. Ella liked the idea of that.

"Was there anyone else who lives near the Cave of Memories?" Ella asked, as she gazed at the glimmering stars. They had a nice view. The cave was above another forest. It only had tall spruce trees.

Crystal thought for a moment, "There used to be a miner who worked in a cave day and night. He had two daughters and a son. The miner didn't have much money to keep up his family, and his wife had died of childbirth. I offered them gold but the miner was so kind, he told me to keep them.

She continued, "Sadly, the miner and his two daughters passed away when an evil witch killed them at midnight. Strangely, the son survived.

Ella looked puzzled, "How did you know? Were you there when the attack happened? Also...when did that happen?

Crystal shook her head, "For your first question, I heard screams coming from the small log house they lived in not far away from the Cave of Memories. That happened around eight years ago."

Ella nodded, "Okay...what did you do?"

"I took the son in. I was like a mother to him. He never had one anyways. I loved him dearly, he was the only thing that made me happy. He left when he got older. I don't know where he is, now, all alone." Crystal's voice sounded sorrow, her voice was full of regret.

Ella decided to change the subject, "So, I think it's time for bed? It's getting late." 

"Oh, of course, you're right," Crystal replied, sighing, "Here, I'll give you a few blankets. It's cold out here," She waved her staff. Two maroon blankets and a pillow popped out of thin air.

Ella thanked Crystal, and lay on the pillow. She covered herself with the blankets. Strangely, Crystal didn't go to bed. She was standing a yard away from Ella, looking at the moon.