Hell of Earth

Chapter TWENTY-EIGHT

"What else did you see?"

Dawn was breaking as the group circled around Opal as they rested for a quick meal before continuing down The Road. Yue was mostly hidden by the cover of the carriage but was being a little risky keeping it partially open so he could hear the story. There were lots of other families and caravans pulled over resting beside them.

She'd nearly jumped out of the wagon after returning from the memory, too excited to properly explain what she was excited about. She stopped when she realized she needed to think over what she'd seen and decide what was worth telling and what should be kept private.

"A waterfall came down over the top of the house, or, partially in the house too. It was like it was created especially for the waterfall."

Kait was leaning forward. "You said there were other demons- do you know what kind? Did they say anything?"

Opal focused on not glancing at Obsidian or Gabbro. "I couldn't see their faces, everything was a little blurry on that part. I think- I think I almost heard my name."

Spark squinted. "Your name isn't Opal?"

She stared at him. "I... I guess not." She been able to hear the other name but somehow knew what he had said wasn't Opal.

"That's not unusual." Yue's voice began from behind the tapestry. "I doubt many demons use their real names when in human cities and apparently you came to the camp from one."

"I'm not surprised you seemed to be the one leading the group, wherever it was you were going." Proga's eyes were bright gold. "Seems natural for you. And, you were able to hide you were a demon from us until your injury."

"That's all great but did you figure out what you are? What can you actually do other than hang out by waterfalls?" Spark shook his head. "Sounds like you didn't learn that much."

Kait hit him but Opal's smile remained. Maybe to him it wasn't much but to her it was everything. She did have family before she was trapped. She even seemed to have a home and- and she seemed to have found two of them already. She was more sure than ever that whatever had been done to Obsidian was related to her, and Gabbro's, lost memories.

"You didn't tell us how it happened- you said you knew it wasn't a dream. Was it triggered by something on The Road?" Proga cocked his head. "We can go back to where we were if you think it would help."

"Oh- no. Yue's brother-"

"My brother can wait a few hours I'm sure. This is important."

"I don't think it was where I was but... I'm not sure."

"Could be lots of things." Gabbro added and looked at Kait. "Smells can be a strong trigger for memory, correct healer?"

Kait shrugged. "Sure. You think that was what it was, Opal? The Road has a lot of strange activity on it. Lots of things could bring up memories."

"I for one, remember stepping on a particularly sharp edge of a picture frame when I saw a cart pulling a box of them." Proga looked down at his foot and frowned.

Opal hoped her face was neutral. She was still barely believed Gabbro had kissed her she wasn't about to share that was what caused the memory. "Maybe."

Spark dusted off the crumbs from his breakfast and got up, stretching an arm above his head. "Well, if she doesn't want to go back are we gonna keep going or what? We're almost to the exit, right?"

"Correct. I would expect us to get to the territory edge before nightfall if we keep going."

"There you go." Opal clapped her hands at Yue's words, happy to change the focus again.