Blood

Chapter Thirteen: Escape?

We finally made it out of the gate, only to find ourselves in the middle of a dense, ancient forest. Tall, twisted trees surrounded us, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, blocking the moonlight and casting eerie shadows on the ground.

  "This doesn't make sense. How did we get here?" I asked, bewildered.

  "Mom and Dad must've discovered you escaped so they devised a means to slow you down so they can catch up to you and recapture you," Emily explained, looking around. "I don't know why but I recognize this place."

  "What are you guys? Just let me know. That's why we were in your house in the first place," I demanded, frustration seeping into my voice.

  Emily took a deep breath. "We're magical creatures. Half-elves and half-witches. Zero percent human. My grandparents came from families of witches and elves, so when they gave birth to my parents, there was no trace of human DNA in them even though they looked like humans. So, I'm a hybrid too."

  I stared at her, trying to process this new information. Ava snickered. "Well, we were close," she said, rolling her eyes. "So, how do we get out of here?"

  "I now know why I could recognize this place, I was born in this dimension. This forest is in Eldoria, our elf kingdom that's hidden in plain sight like another dimension. The only way out is through a hidden passage," Emily replied.

  "Great. A hidden passage in a magical forest. What could possibly go wrong?" Ava muttered.

  We began our journey through the forest, each step filled with uncertainty.

  "So you were about falling in love with me?" Emily asked me, smirking with one cheek. It was at the moment that I remembered what I said when I was ranting in the cage. I was blinded by my anger so I spewed more than what I would've liked to expose. I was planning to tell her that I liked her... Eventually. But not that way. The way I told her was just wrong. I wish I could take it back and ask her out like a normal person. "it's cool 'cause I was falling for you too. I guess I'm into guys that can suck my blood whenever they're hungry."

  "You know I don't eat that anymore" I whined. " But having my tongue on your neck doesn't really seem like a bad idea."

  "Jeez, just get a room." Ava scoffed.

  "Shut up Ava."

  The air was thick with the scent of pine and moss, and an eerie silence enveloped us. Every now and then, I thought I saw shadows flitting between the trees, but when I looked closer, there was nothing there.

  "This place gives me the creeps," Ava whispered, her eyes darting around.

  "Just stay close and keep moving," Emily urged, her voice steady but her eyes betraying a hint of fear.

  As we walked, the forest seemed to grow denser, the trees pressing closer together. We stumbled upon a clearing, where the moonlight revealed a shimmering pond. The water was crystal clear, reflecting the moon and stars above. It was a stark contrast to the dark, foreboding forest around it.

  "Let's rest for a moment," I suggested, feeling the fatigue in my limbs.

  We sat by the pond, catching our breath. As I gazed into the water, I noticed faint, glowing shapes moving beneath the surface.

  "What are those?" I asked, pointing to the pond.

  "Water nymphs," Emily replied. "They're usually harmless, but it's best not to disturb them."