The broken gear

Encounter

Thomas had two odd dreams. In one, he dreamt that there were 9 people with a different entity in front of them, and in the other he had a dream that made him feel comfortable and safe. 

He woke up well rested and smelled smoke and cooked meat. He sat down and looked around.

He couldn't see anyone around him. He saw that the campfire was bigger, there was some food on a table near the fire, and his wounds were all healed. He grabbed his sword and decided to go into the forest.

He went into the direction of the railroad bridge that was now in ruins. 

He thought he saw a figure walk by through the corner of his eye. While he brushed it of as an animal, he took a couple of steps towards the direction of the creature. He didn't see anything. He was now suspicious of this forest and was alert to any sound that might sound like something coming to attack him.

He arrived to the site of the train. It was deserted, as if no one had been on the train. The train was still destroyed but it looked as if it was still new.

Something felt off. "Where is everyone?" He asked himself out loud.

"Safe," Said another voice from behind him.

He quickly turned around and saw a girl that looked about his age. She had irises that seemed to switch from purple to blue and back, but it was hardly noticeable. She also had hair that was black near the scalp and seemed to turn silver as it went down.

"Who are you?" he asked while holding his sword.

"Relax, I healed your wounds," she said.

He looked at his thumb and didn't see a scar.

Thomas was confused, "H-how"

"Wait, did you use healing magic?"

"Something like that," she responded.

"My name is Nelle."

"Thomas," he responded.

"What happened to the train and to everyone?" he said as he turned towards the train.

"I got them all to safety and fixed the train in the process," she said.

"So, why am I still here?" he asked, "And how did you fix all of this"

"Well, I," she seemed hesitant.

"Are you a grand magician or something." he asked.

"Yeah, that!" she responded almost instantly as soon Thomas finished.

Thomas felt something off about her but decided to not say anything.

"Why was I not taken along with everyone else?" Thomas said lowering his guard a bit.

"Well, I want to help you," she said.

"Anyway, lets go back to your 'campsite'" she said while making air quotes.

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean!" Thomas exclaimed being somewhat angry. He was proud of what he made.

"And plus, aren't you the one who made it, so now you're insulting your own campsite."

"Shut up" Nelle said quickly.