"So, Nellie," Delilah said, "First you will need some more appropriate clothes." She went into the back and found a white dress with a red apron the was sewn onto it. "Put this on," she said as she thrust the dress into my arms. I slid off my jeans and slipped off my shirt. I sloly stepped into the dress and slid it up my body. I looked down at my feet.
"What about my Converse?" I asked. A puzzled look came upon Delilah's face. But then she noticed my shoes.
"Here," she said as she pulled some boots from behind the counter. I put them on and they were a perfect fit.
"How did you know what size I wear?"I asked.
"The shoes contain magic. They fit anyone." Delilah said as she came out from behind the counter and made her way to one of the shelves. She began rustling through the tiny glass potions until she found the right one. She ambled back to me and gently placed the potion in my hands. The label said "Transportation Potion."
"Now that, Nellie, is for if you get into any trouble. Just drink that and it will bring you back to me." She pulled a map off of the counter and handed it to me. "That star is the Royal Castle. The circle is where we are now. When you reach the castle, ask to speak with Queen Briar and King Reese. They might have a way to transport you back into your world."
I looked at the map and saw that the star and circle were very far apart from each other.
"Now look," Delilah said, "I can walk with you until we reach the edge of town but no further. Juno doesn't like for me to go far."
We make our way out of the store and Into the village street. Delilah buys me two apples and a canteen of water with gold coins. Then she handed me five of her gold coins. We began our journey to the edge of town.
"Delilah, why are you helping me?" I ask as I took a bite of my apple.
"Because there is too much evil in this land. Too much hatred." She said as she glanced the other direction.
"This village doesn't seem like it is full of evil," I say.
"Not this village," she responds, "other parts of the land." I can see that we are nearing the edge of the village.
"Why do you still work for Juno if he's so awful to you?" I asked.
"I have to work for him," she explained, "I stole a potion from him about seven years ago and the only way he would spare my life is if I worked for him for eternity."
"Oh my gosh!" I say. "That must be horrible!"
"I've gotten used to him. It's not like he has me in shackles or anything. He's just a grumpy sorcerer who likes to save a coin every once in a while." She laughed. "Well, Nellie, it looks like we have reached the end of the village. Goodbye and good luck!"
I wave to her as I make my way into the deep, green, haunting forest.
