Arrala

Chapter 1

"I could say some very unkind words to you right now but I will not because my mom raised me better than that," I said to myself. Technically I meant it for the car that had just cut me off but in all reality, there was no chance he was going to hear me. I huffed an annoyed laugh before turning my music back up. Ah perfect. If you're not nearly deaf after listening to music then you probably have crap taste in music. I like listening to music. It distracts my brain. Which sounds weird I know but personally, my brain likes to remind me of my worst and most embarrassing moments as soon as I get bored. 
In this moment my bladder decided to let herself be known. Once again pulling myself from my thoughts I quickly got over to the right lane. I vaguely remember seeing a sign saying there was an exit up ahead with a gas station.

Weird I didn't need to pee earlier. I've been driving for a few hours now.

I pulled off the exit but there was no gas station in sight.

Maybe it's down here a little?

I took a right at the stop sign and continued. I passed through what seemed to be miles of thick forest.

Maybe I'm tripping but I don't remember seeing all these trees when I pulled off of the exit.

After what had to have been at least a couple more miles the road came to a halt. Immensely confused, I got out of the truck and walked to where the road ended. It ended in a nice straight line. Past the line was a path large enough for a vehicle to get through but it was all forest flooring.

Don't be dumb Sarah. Don't be the dumb girl that goes into the forest and gets murdered.

I made my decision so I walked back to the door I left open.

"Hank we're flipping a B and going back." I proclaimed loudly.

What I wasn't prepared for was Hank launching out of my still-open door. He quickly raced down the very road I had just decided we were not going down.

FRICK.  THIS IS NOT HAPPENING.

"Dammit Hank, we're gonna get murdered I hope you're happy" I mumbled to myself before I jumped into the truck and quickly followed him down the path. I called out my window for him but he didn't slow down. He was going too fast and within seconds he was out of sight. Almost as though he disappeared into thin air. Looking around I realized that while we were still in a forest, it wasn't the same one from before.
This forest was beyond indescribable. The trees around me seemed to breathe with every small breeze that passed. For some reason looking at this place felt like seeing clearly for the first time.
As breathtaking as it was I needed to find my dog ASAP.
I came to the end of the large path. From here out there were a couple of smaller paths definitely nowhere I could take the truck. 

I groaned loudly.

"You're so lucky I love you" I growled to myself.

I killed the engine and got out of the truck after I made sure to roll up the windows, grab my backpack (I think purses are a pain. A backpack is more practical), and lock the doors. I studied the paths in front of me for a good moment trying to channel my inner Hank.

Which way did you go punk?

The two paths looked identical. So after a quick game of Eenie Meenie Miney Mo, I decided to go with the left path. Hank was my primary focus but I really could get lost in this forest and be okay with it.

At least until I get hungry-then all bets are off

"Hank! Hanky! Spanky! Mr. Hank! The spank man!" I tried yelling all of his aliases but I received no reaction from any of them.

Great so now I have to pee, my dog is missing, and because I said the hungry thing I'm kind of craving a burger and fries

Tears sprung to my eyes. This has been the most exhausting month of my life and this was the last straw.

"Hank you better get your cute butt back here right this second" my voice wobbled and cracked. Just like that, I was a crying mess.

"My name is not Hank but I have been told I have a cute butt." A smooth voice spoke behind me.

I froze. This is it. This is where I die.

I turn slowly because if I moved any faster I might pee my pants. About halfway through the slowest turn the world has ever seen, I catch a glance of said voice. My. Jaw. Dropped.

They must be doing a modeling shoot out here and I just wandered too close to the set.

It would be believable if he wasn't dressed like Robin Hood. I snort softly to myself picturing this absolute Adonis dressed in the fox version's outfit. Which would really just make him look like Peter Pan if he grew up.

If he REALLY grew up

"That was a joke. I'm sorry if I confused you." He said after many silent moments of me picturing him as a grown-up Peter Pan.

I inadvertently let out a grunt of astonishment. Then immediately following that came a very unladylike snort. My tears were completely forgotten as I realized what I had just done.

"I'm so sorry but no" I fumbled to say.
"No?"
"No," I confirm.
"No what?"
"No, you didn't confuse me. It just occurred to me that you look like Peter Pan" I giggle softly.

His brow furled as confusion clouded his eyes. How is that even a real eye color? They've got to be contacts.

"Are you wearing contacts?" I question out loud before I can stop myself.
"What?"
"What what?" I ask back.
"I don't know what these contacts you speak of are."
"Oh"
He just nods back at me.

"Have you seen a large black dog with a collar on around here?" I ask him hopefully.

Again his brow furls.

"Please tell me you know what a dog is," I say exasperated.

He scoffs loudly before saying "of course I do. I'm not daft."

Could've fooled me

"I've lost my dog and I can't find him anywhere"

"I haven't seen one. I'm sorry." He says softer than before.

I merely nod because if I start thinking about it again then I'm going to cry.

"Are you okay?" he asks.  

"That is a hard question to answer" 

"Why"

"Because I don't know"

"Don't know what"

"I don't know if I'm okay," I say a little sharper than I mean to. I wince but don't apologize for what I said.

"You're lost" it's not a question.

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not" I shoot back.

He sighs loudly "You can come with me and I can escort you back home. You dress oddly but I assume you're from Rousan. It's the nearest kingdom."

I stare at him blankly for a moment before "I'm sorry did you just say Kingdom?"

"Maybe you're the daft one. Yes I said kingdom"

"This is America, we don't have kingdoms."

"What the hell is an America?" he asks.

"Where we are right now" I replied quickly.

"As much as I'd like to sit here and argue with you, I'd much more prefer to be back at my camp eating dinner. You may come with me if you like or you can stay here and get eaten by the predators."

I looked up to the sky for a moment. It was beginning to get dark and I was in an unknown place. I couldn't even tell which way I came from. 

"Promise you won't murder me?" I ask him. 

"Behave and we'll see," he says with a smirk.