What the Fae?

chapter 6 a whole new world

He stumbled on uneven ground, onto a vast field of dead weeds. The portal snapped shut behind him before he could take another glimpse of home. He swallowed down the lump forming in his throat and gazed around at his new surroundings. A mountain range edged the horizon off in the distance on one side and an abandoned building next to a long road. Everything in between was just different shades of blah. "How appropriate."

The slight breeze that sent the amber foxtails swaying wasn't enough to assuage the summer heat. Sweat dripped down his back. His short tunic hugged his new thicker body too tightly, popping a few stitches in the seams as he moved. Stickers and rocks poked his bare feet as he made his way toward the only shade available; the building surrounded by black ground. He instinctively flexed his back muscles...

His heart sank. No wings. No magic. Just a clunky, slow body weighing him down. He trudged through the dry grass, stopping every few seconds to scratch his calves, now covered with course hair. Running his hands through the tall weeds did nothing. The plants didn't liven, didn't come to life. "Of all the... I hate this realm!"

He picked up his pace, eager to reach refuge from the sun and irritating landscape. The first step on the black, hard top burned the tender pad of his foot. "Shit!" He'd heard the curse from one of the scouts that frequented the Mortal Realm. He'd never thought to use such a coarse, human word—until now.

He jumped back, landing on a broken twig. "Double shit!" He hopped on one leg while trying to examine the wound on the bottom of his foot. Red blood trickled down the arch.

Red. God, he hated that color. Gritting his teeth, he focused on the bit of shade clinging to the side of the building. Drawing a breath, he ran.

The ground burned his feet but he didn't stop. Pain radiated up his legs with every step. "Ow, ow, ow, ow."

He slammed into the building and hugged the side, his breath heavy. "Ahhh." The cooler ground offered relief to his feet. Because the sun was directly overhead, the slight overhang of the roof offered only a narrow bit of shade. But it was better than nothing.

He leaned against the wall and looked around. No humans were anywhere in sight. He wasn't sure if he should be grateful he didn't have to deal with anyone or curse his father for leaving him in such a deserted area. "You couldn't banish me in Las Vegas or Paris, could you? No. I had to end up in the middle of nowhere."

He walked around, mindful of not stepping outside the building's shadow. In one area there stood four metal towers, about the height of a man, with hoses attached. On the building, large wooden panels covered parts of the walls and bright red and blue words and pictures were painted all over with dripping paint. When he reached a rather explicit portrait of a naked woman he paused and touched the paint. A rough texture met his fingertips.

He sagged against the wall, resting his arms on bent knees. He dropped his head to his forearms. "Now what am I going to do?" All he could think about was home; swimming in the clouds with his friends, taking Rose out to see the dancing pixies, sleeping in his comfortable bed.

For hours he sat, watching the road. It was too hot to venture out but he was thirsty and hungry. His sweat-soaked tunic stuck to his body. Occasionally a traveling box would race past. If he could talk to one of those humans, maybe they could help him find something to eat. But no, he didn't need their help. He could take care of himself. He was fae, after all.

After the sun set, taking its heat with it, Beck ventured out to the road. Staying in one place would get him nowhere. The smooth black ground didn't burn anymore but the vanishing light created another problem. But at the moment, he walked. He'd worry about the darkness when he could no longer see his way.