Wonderland Bites

Cold Walk Home

Cold Walk Home

Noriko awoke to the cold on her face. Her mind was in a hazy place. She sat up and looked around. It looked like she was inside of a vintage car. From the looks of it, this was the passenger seat. The windshield was cracked. The front was pressed up against a tree.

"Huh?" she asked. Noriko really looked around. Something told her that she had disappeared back into that world. The girl looked down at her body. A white tube top, blue short shorts, and a white lacy overshirt. No shoes again. So this wasn't reality again.

"What happened?" she asked.

You had an accident.

Noriko looked up at the roof of the car. "Artemis?"

You can't stay here. Of course, the girl can't. Noriko wasn't even surprised. But she was confused about many things. How did she get into the accident? Why wasn't she hurt? Where was the driver? Who was driving the car? Where were they going?

Please get out of the car.

"Okay, okay," Noriko said. "I'm leaving." She opened the door. To her surprise, it was unlocked and easy to open. The girl took a moment before she slid out of the car. The grass felt like dry pine needles. Noriko looked up.

"Oh," she said. There were so many pine trees around. That explained everything. Noriko turned around and got a better look at the car. The hood looked damaged with the headlights on. This was really an old-looking car. Noriko shook her head. She wished that she could remember what happened.

We will talk while you walk. You have to get out of here. I will lead you to the road. She didn't need to tell her twice. Noriko put her hands into her pockets and started walking.

"I'm cold," she said.

Here. Artemis put her arms over Noriko's shoulders. The girl looked up at the empty space.

Better?

Noriko nodded. "Yes."

They walked along the path. The silence was the worst. It was quiet. Too quiet even. A shiver ran down Noriko's spine.

"What happened to me back there?" she asked.

You were in an accident.

"But how? Was I alone?"

No.

Noriko gave the empty space a confused look. "Who was I with?" There was a pause.

"Artemis, who was I with?" Noriko asked. "Where did they go? Are they okay?" Artemis still didn't answer.

"Artemis?" the girl asked. Her guide didn't answer. Noriko's stomach turned as the girls kept walking.

"Are they okay at least?" she asked.

Yes.

Noriko breathed out in relief.

"Thank goodness," she said.

They walked down the hill. Their footsteps didn't even make any noises. Noriko couldn't help but look over her shoulder. She didn't recognize that car. That light blue model looked like something out of the fifties and sixties. This car didn't exist in her memories. Makoto's car came from the early eighties. Noriko didn't know anyone with that particular car. Who was driving it? How did it crash? Why wasn't Artemis answering any of her questions?

"Where exactly are we?" Noriko asked. "I don't remember this place at all. Have I been here before?"

No. Not in this part at least.

Noriko narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"

How much more do you remember?

Noriko tried to think. Nothing was coming up in her head. The girl shook her head. A hand rested on her back.

Don't worry about it.

Noriko wanted to ask questions but she doubted Artemis would've answered. Still, the girl just had to know. By now, little flakes of snow started to fall. The silence made things even worse. Sure there were the wind blowing and the birds chirping. But it wasn't enough to settle her nerves. They just made the questions flare up in her head again. Noriko lowered her head. She just had to say something.

"Who was I with before the accident?" she asked. Artemis looked away but said something.

"Please!" the girl pleaded. Artemis sighed.

It wasn't Makoto.

Noriko sighed in relief. However, that didn't fully put her mind at ease. "Then... who was I with? Where is Makoto? Why won't you tell me the truth?"

I am trying to keep you safe.

"Safe from what?" Noriko asked. She could feel herself getting frustrated again.

Please keep your voice down. I will tell you everything that you need to know as we keep going.

Noriko puffed up her cheeks. She really needed to trust her dear friend. She knew that Artemis would never lie to her. The girl dropped her shoulders in her embrace.

"Fine," she said.

You know that I am doing this to keep you safe. You have to stay calm or we'll lose our connection.

Noriko stiffened up. She sniffled as more snow was falling down. She could feel some of it falling in her hair.

"What was I doing out here on the road in the woods? Where was I going?"

You were on a drive with a friend.

"Which friend? Do I know them? Where are they? Is it someone that I remember?" Noriko asked.

One question at a time.

The girl took a breath. "Where are we?"

You don't recognize this place?

The girl shook her head. The birds singing in the background broke up the tension. By now, the snow started to stick to the ground.

I didn't think you would. This was before you met Makoto.

"It is?" Noriko asked.

Yes.

They had come to the bottom of the hill by now. Noriko started to remember something as she looked around. There was a town nearby, wasn't there? Maybe she could make a phone call to anyone.

The town is just down the road.

"Yes, I know," Noriko said. She could feel Artemis' eyes on her.

Do you now?

The girl slowly nodded. She didn't have an answer to how or why. It just came in so fuzzy.

Do you know how to get there from here?

"No," Noriko said sheepishly. Artemis chuckled softly to herself.

"Artemis?" the girl asked. The goddess of the hunt gave her a little smile.

"I know how to get you home," she said. "I will show you the way back. Take my hand." Artemis took hold of Noriko's hand and led her down to the road. Noriko felt a warm flutter in her chest. She cleared her throat as she looked away.

"Is something wrong?" Artemis asked. Noriko quickly shook her head. Her guide didn't say anything else. Noriko felt herself smiling as she looked out at the snow on the ground. Something told her that she was going to be okay. This was going to have to do for the time being.