A Key To Another World

Chapter fourteen

Blackness. An endless emptiness, filled with darkness, surrounded Michael. There was nothing he could do about it. He could not move or see. The only thing he felt was a slight breeze.

Where the hell am I and what happened?

His inner voice echoed through the void, but no one answered him. He was really alone in this dimension, at least that's what he thought.

The only thing I can remember is entering a village with a paranoid Zoe after it was devastated by a war! I can't remember anything that happened after that!

???: "Actually, there are many more things you don't remember, Michael."

A deep female voice spoke back to him.

W-what do you mean? Wait a minute... Who are you and what do you want from me?

???: "Don't be afraid. I'm not here to hurt you, not that I could. You will soon find out what is happening around you."

I'm not dead, am I?

The deep female voice replied with a soft giggle.

???: "No Michael, you are not dead. You are currently in a liminal world between life and death."

WHAT!!!?

???: "But don't worry, you will wake up very soon."

A bright white light appeared in front of Michael. With every second it became bigger and brighter. He could feel the power emanating from it, and he was about to wake up. But before that happened, Michael wanted to know more about this strange voice.

Wait! You still haven't told me who you are!

Zahra: "My name is Zahra. There is no more time to tell you more about me. Farewell."

Suddenly, Michael's eyes opened. The sun slowly rose and tickled Michael's nose. The light fell through the leaves of the trees and the birds began to chirp happily. It was going to be a sunny day.

Zoe: "Good morning!"

Michael: "Wha...?"

Michael turned his head to the side and discovered Zoe's face very close to his. Her moist and warm nose touched his as they stared at each other. Her sparkling emerald eyes put him in a hypnotic state. She clasped his face with both paws and licked it, waking him up from his hypnotic state.

Michael: "Zoe, stop it!"

Her licking turned to kisses as she moved much closer to him. She was on top of him now and had her arms wrapped around him to hold him tight. At this point Michael's face was redder than the color red itself.

Michael: "Okey Zoe, that's enough!"

Zoe: "I was so worried I was going to lose you! But you're still here with me, alive."

Tears leaked from her eyes as she couldn't hold them back. She buried her face in his chest as she sobbed.

Michael: "Come on, Zoe, don't cry. I'm fine, see?"

Zoe: "You weren't then!"

Her crying intensified and Michael was lost in thought. He had never put himself in a situation like this before. He didn't know how to comfort anyone. Michael did what he thought Zoe would do to him if she were to comfort him. He hugged her back and stroked her head.

Michael: "It's all right. Let it all out."

It took a few minutes for Zoe to calm down, and when she finally did, a smile settled on her muzzle as she snuggled against him. Even though Michael's expression showed that he didn't really enjoy this moment, deep down he did.