Accidentally Became Luna

ABL 42: Memory Trip, Part Two

I groaned as I opened my eyes, rubbing my forehead. What the hell happened?

"Oh, you're awake?" The woman who looked like Amanah knelt next to me, dressed in a black and white cloak dress. She had a small bowl next to her filled with water. "You were out for quite some time," she softly said, reaching toward my face.

I grabbed her hand, stopping her, and she stared at me, surprised.

"What are you doing here, Amanah, and where's Orion?" I asked, and her eyes stared into mine, confused.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I am not Amanah. You passed out in the woods last night; you had quite the fever, but it's gone down now," she reached for my forehead and pulled the damp cloth. "If you're feeling okay now, you can leave my cottage," she pointed to the door as she got up with her bowl and left the cottage.

"Where is Orion?" I whispered to myself as I got up. I felt a bit woozy but quickly regained my balance. Leaving her tiny cottage, I opened the door, but I wasn't ready for the sunlight to blind my eyes so much.

When did I pass out? The last I remembered was Orion telling me that this woman was his wife, but it was clearly Amanah. I had no idea what games they were playing, but I would find out.

In her cottage, barely any light was pouring in to convince me the sun was bright; after adjusting to the brightness, I pushed my hands into my pockets and looked around.

I should start looking for Orion.

"You're part of the newcomers, aren't you?" The woman said, looking up at me as she picked vegetables from her garden.

"Yes," I found myself answering.

"Thought so. I've never seen you around here before," she hummed. "You must be bloody rich, I suppose."

"Why do you say that?" Who's answering?

"I ain't never seen a suit like that in my entire life. Say, which land do you come from?"

"Far away," I answered, looking down at her. She cracked a smile and scoffed. Why does this feel familiar?

"Well, you better get going if you don't want the rain to catch you again," she got up from her crouched position with her bigger bowl filled with dirt-filled vegetables. The sun's rays cast a warm glow on her face; her brown eyes shone as she looked at me with a mysterious expression.

Gosh, she was beautiful.

"Where are you going?" I asked, feeling disappointed that she was already getting rid of me. It felt so warm inside when I looked at her; I wanted to spend more time with her.

"I have to eat, so I'm going to draw water down by the river," she pointed to the trees south of us.

"Can I come with you?"

"Are you lost?" She put her hand on her hip. There was no convincing me that this wasn't Amanah.

"No."

"Then go home," she said, walking away. I somehow started walking in whatever direction home was. It was as if my body knew exactly where we were going and which routes to take.

When I arrived home, I opened the door, hoping to find Orion in there and ask him why he duped me. As I walked through the door, I walked out into a festival.

What the hell?

Kids were running around, flying their kites. The area was filled with so much noise it was hard for me to pinpoint conversations. It felt like they were all speaking directly into my ear.