Glow of Conundrum

Chapter 2: Sleep Well

The wind blew against the hood of her coat and her bangs flew in front of her eyes. It had been three days since she met him and although she had no idea where he was, she just knew that he was somewhere close by. The only thing she couldn't figure out was what world he was in. Was he real, or was she merely dreaming that she met him?

Every time she tried to reach out to him, she always ended up in another strange world. Other worlds where she couldn't remember anything except for vague images of a strange man with black hair and green eyes.

She shook her head violently. She didn't belong here, and the only way she would get back to him was to find the man.

She ran into the streets once again. She had run across the city countless times before and knew the area perfectly. But now, she felt completely lost. Not a single landmark remained in her memory. It almost looked like an alternate world from the many movies she'd watched over the years. Everything looked unfamiliar to her and it made her feel anxious and confused.

For a long time, she walked aimlessly across the city, looking for the bookseller's store. She didn't think he was going to show up at the bookstore, but somehow she had a hunch that wherever he was she would find him eventually. And she was right.

About thirty minutes later, the bookstore came into view. Stepping inside, she looked around the small shop and spotted someone sitting behind the counter. She approached the counter, wondering whether or not this world's Khaldun was real or just an illusion caused by exhaustion.

"Hello?" she called out as she approached the counter, her voice sounding shaky. He didn't reply. Instead, he looked at the girl, his eyes narrowing.

Her face blanched as she backed off slowly. He didn't seem friendly or welcoming at all.

"I guess you're a hallucination," she whispered before turning around to walk away.

Suddenly, a hand shot forward and grabbed onto her wrist. She jerked back sharply, causing the hand to pull back. She stared at the arm, which had suddenly appeared out of nowhere and held onto her tightly. Looking up, she saw that the person was none other than the black haired man, her former dreamman.

"You are real." It wasn't a question; rather, it was a statement.

His face didn't change and she didn't believe that he was speaking to her.

He nodded slightly and took his hand back, allowing her to relax. "Yes," he replied, his gaze steady on her. "And you're alive." He didn't sound very happy about it and she wondered why.

"What do you mean?" she asked cautiously, trying not to burst in fear.

He sighed before shaking his head and looking down at the floor. After a brief silence, he spoke up: "Your body has been destroyed in a battle. In your world, it happened in this dimension. You're alive because I saved your life." He lifted his head up and looked at her, "In your world, I am dead."

He seemed sad, but at the same time relieved that she hadn't died.

"But I don't get it. How am I here?" she asked.

He looked at her with concern. "You don't remember me?" he asked quietly. His brow creased as he studied her intently.

She frowned as her thoughts continued to race. "No," she answered softly. "I...I...my memories aren't returning, and..." she paused and blinked rapidly, "I just....it feels like there's something missing, but I don't know what." A sudden realization dawned on her. "How long have I been asleep?" she blurted out, her voice trembling slightly.

He raised an eyebrow and furrowed his eyebrows. "Three days," he answered.

A deep sigh escaped her lips. She was starting to remember everything that she knew now, but at the same time she didn't remember what she'd forgotten. She couldn't tell the difference anymore.

"It's okay, you don't need to panic." He gave her a reassuring smile, trying to ease her concerns, but instead, he seemed to only further confuse her.

"Who are you?" she asked, her eyes growing wide as they gazed into his. Her confusion and anxiety grew. She didn't know whether or not he was real. She didn't even know his real name. She didn't know what happened. If this was her new universe or not. She had never felt more lost.

This was the third time she had encountered this strange man. First, when she first entered the bookstore, then across the road and now, here. What was he doing? Was he the one that brought her here? Why? Why was he helping her? Was he real?

Suddenly, she stopped asking herself these questions. There were so many questions she had yet to ask. She needed answers. She needed them badly.

"You'll find out soon enough."

Before she could say anything more, he turned his attention back towards her. "What do you remember?" He asked curiously.

"It's complicated, everything just feels surreal." She sighed as she began panicking again.

"I...I don't know where I am or what's going on. I can't believe any of this! I can't explain how I got here."

At the sight of her panicked expression, he reached out and placed his fingers under her chin gently. He stroked her cheeks. She froze beneath his touch. This strange man was making her heart flutter. His eyes, his touch were so comforting. She leaned into his hand and shut her eyes, wanting to relive those moments in her dream earlier. When she finally opened her eyes, she found that they weren't closed at all. They had become open.

She quickly glanced at his eyes and gasped. Those green eyes belonged to him!

He leaned closer and gently said, "Go home," She was still speechless and unable to comprehend what was happening, however, this time, she knew the sensation was real. He cupped her face and touched her face gently. "Sleep well," he whispered.

Then, with a flick of his finger, the man disappeared once again, leaving nothing but cold air in his wake.

The man disappeared. That's all.

"Everything feels just right, and wrong at the same time," she mumbled to herself. Her heart began beating rapidly as the thought occurred to her. He's real. She wasn't crazy or imagining things after all. She really did meet this man. She touched her face with her fingertips, feeling the warmth that remained on her skin.

He was real. Somehow. And she was alive.