Shadow Thief

Chapter 4

'Andre!' I whispered.

'Ali,' he breathed, a grin lighting up his features. Running forward, he flung his arms around my shoulders in an embrace I should've hated. Instead, I welcomed the warmth digging my face into the crook of his neck.

Someone was here. I wasn't alone.

'You're really here?' my voice came out in shaky gasps.

'I'm really here,'

'Anyone else?' I was hoping he'd say yes. The more people missing, the more effort would be put into finding us.

'No,' Blinx answered, 'It's just you two. It's strange though, how you even got here in the first place.'

'You don't know how we are here?' my voice came out low and strained.

'I'm not omniscient, little girl,' Blinx growled like I had offended her. I rolled my eyes.

'What do we do now?' I asked.

'I will take you to the Orc. Then it's up to him.' she replied.

I didn't like the idea of someone else having control of my life. 'Can we just go home?'

She laughed, 'As if it were that simple.'

I was about to reply when Andre cut in, 'What is an Orc?'

'You will have to wait and see won't you?'

Her blue tentacles bobbed as she drifted into the trees. I faced Andre sharing a look that said more than any words could. I sighed, 'Well aren't we spoiled with choices.' He didn't smile, much to my disappointment.

So like any good disciple we took off after the blob that had our lives in her appendages.

–

We had walked for a while when she stopped, to which I was grateful. I had done enough walking for one day. 'Sleep here. Tomorrow you will see the Orc, who is currently preparing for your arrival.' Blinx stated.

After having collected enough of the soft blue leaves for the bedding, I opened my shopping bag handing Andre some sliced bread with cheese and an apple while I gnawed on a cereal bar. I was on my second bite, the flavour leaving me unsatisfied, when my eyes fell on a certain jelly like creature. She was just floating there, watching us.

'Not eating anything?' I questioned, perhaps a tad bit harsher than necessary.

'No bioluminescent moss in this area.' It came out nonchalant but I could see the longing in her pink eyes.

Taking a pause from eating his food Andre asked, 'Is that all you can eat?'

'No, but the other plants don't even grow in a forest. My diet is a bit peculiar.'

'Ever tried an apple?' my offer surprised me, I was highly protective of my food normally, I told myself it was just because we needed her to like us.

When she didn't say anything I took the final fruit we had from my bag stretching my hand out for her to take. 'You must be hungry,' Andre tried. 'Unless your body can't cope with the food.'

'I don't know. Is it a plant?'

I could have laughed.

'Yes, well it's a fruit that comes from a tree. It has seeds in the centre that contain the genetic material for its reproduction. The seeds have a 30% germination rate so even though we cultivate them it's because of human intervention. We don't eat the core because it isn't good for us but that could be different for you. Other than the seeds, the apple is a great source of nutrients and vitamins, the minerals and fibre are an essential part of our diet. And...' I cut Andre off.