Unnamed

CH-2 0904 Golden

It took all my will power to not run after her when I couldn't see her anymore but knowing her, she would have been angry. 1306 is reckless but not stupid. It is better to have a witness who can spread the word about her going missing then both of us.

The Misty Forest scared me but not 1306, she had no problem going through it. I once asked her why and she with a straight face said 'I vibe with the forest'. It is times like these she leaves me speechless.

The 10 min interval felt like an hour and when my watch beeped, I headed into the forest.

The forest was nothing much to look, just tall gloomy trees in black. Perfect to kill or to be killed. But the concept of killing feels so foreign. The only way to kill in Nela is by making your guest explode with food. Village Nani told me that when she was young the concept of murder became obsolete. There was no need for murder. The only way we know about murder is through movies. Movies made to educate about how humanity was before the creation of Nela. They are fun to watch and also a good source material to study what makes a person into murderer and how to prevent that.

Now with being killed ruled out as the possible outcome of this venture, the next I need to worry about is disappearance. Last ten years people have been vanishing for days and then reappear with no recollection of the event.

Some deduce it's the mist, some say it's the work of other beings. I guess I will find it out today.

The forest is not that dense. The trees are spread out with enough space to see at least 200 m ahead. I walk through the trees and I see a clearing with a large lake that looked no less than a mirror.

Strange. A crystal-clear lake. No way it's possible. I was about to scout the diameter when I see 1306 on the ground and a figure looking down on her.

All I know about the figure was that it was not a part of the male human species. Sure, there are good looking males but this, this living being belonged in a temple.

It was like a beacon of light in the middle of a dark night. It had hair like the setting sun, golden but not blonde, dark but not brown. Tanned skin with well-defined muscles.

Every cell in my body was screaming to pick 1306 off the ground and run for our lives. This being was no less than an enigma and I do not want to know what its capable off.

I really don't think that I will be able to fight it with my skill set physically.

With a deep breath I step forward, I have to collect as much information so I can  come up with an action plan. For that I have to make contact.

"Excuse me."

I call out loudly enough to make myself heard.

"I am looking for my friend, have you seen her?"

The being turned to face me while 1306 was lying cold on the ground. We are standing face to face now and its affirmative that the being is not human. No human will have eyes in the colour golden and when I say golden, I mean it. It's the colour of Amber and the iris looks like a betel trapped in it.

It is taking all my will power to not swoop 1306 and run.

"Is this human on the ground the friend you're looking for?"

To my surprise the voice of the being was neither threating nor condescending. The beings voice had genuine concern in it.

"Yes."

"I am sorry, I was surprised when she suddenly appeared while I was dressing my wound. I in self-defense knocked her out."

The being acted in self-defense? If he acted in self-defense that means it was being attacked. Its times like this I hate having my brain gears turning. There was so much happening that does not make sense but priority is getting 1306 to safety. I really don't want to test the being's mood right now.

"Its fine. She is reckless in that way", I scope 1306 in my arms and pick her up.

"I will take your leave then and we are so sorry to bother you." Its better being cautious then finding out how bad the being's temper is.

I turn with 1306 and walk towards the trees.

"Wait." Please divine queen, please they have not changed their mind. I turn with a clear question mark on my face.

"Since I am the reason, your friend can not walk, it 'sits only fair that I help you towards your destination."

Now the question mark changed into confusion and I have no clue how are we outsides 1306's quarter.