Eyes Wide Shut

Chapter Five: I Think I Get It

As you can probably tell, I'm not a nerd. Up until last night, I'd never seen the Lord of the Rings movies. You see, my mom had them because she was really into them when she was younger. Me, not so much.

Maybe I would like them if I had watched them when I was little. I guess I'll never know. All I know is that I got so bored that I fell asleep.  I got to the part where Frodo and the other hobbits got to Rivendell. And that's when I went out.

So, as you may expect, I've rearrived in Freinvikh. Whoopee.

So far, I think I've figured out some rules of this place. The first one is that I reawaken in the same place I was during the last visit.

"Can I just get some rest, please?" I mutter to myself as I sit up, pushing past the pain in my torso.

I look around, anticipating some sort of attack. Nothing. Thank God. So, thinking that I probably only have a few minutes before something does come to kill me, I try to think of a plan.

I could climb a tree. It would hurt like hell, but I could do it. My arms and legs don't hurt that much -- it's my ribs and throat that are bad.

I force myself to my feet and make my way toward a tree. Yikes, even this little bit of physical activity makes it hard to breathe. Still, I grab hold of a low-hanging branch and pull myself up.

I cannot describe to you how much pain I felt in that moment. I've never felt worse; not when that dragon almost burned me alive, not when those thugs beat me to a pulp. No, the pressure of my entire body and the branch squeezing my ribs is so bad that I have to fight to keep from blacking out. A fight that I do not win.

****

I wake up and turn to look at the clock. Twelve hours have passed since I last checked the time. There's no way I was in Freinvikh that long. Unless...

What if, when you fell asleep in Freinvikh, you came back to the real world? If that's what this is, then I'm so glad. Now, I just need to figure out a way to never get back there.

Eetyl told me that I was a few miles away from a city. Maybe if I made my way to that city, I could get some answers. I grin as I think about this. Man, am I smart.

Time to do some more research. This time, I don't bother with the movies. I continue reading in WikiHow for explanations on how to ride a horse and how to fight with swords and daggers. Then, I search up on some information about elves, dragons, and goblins. These are the few things I've picked up from Lord of the Rings that are potentially dangerous. All I can hope is that Freinvikh is like Middle Earth.

My next objective to put together an outfit that should protect me somewhat next time I fall asleep. From what I've experienced, the things you're wearing come with you when you transport. If I was wearing shoes and some sort of protective gear, I should live longer than I would if I didn't wear that.

Would it still be beneficial for me to tell someone about my situation? Oliver, Xavier, and Zach wouldn't believe me if I told them. And, if they did, they wouldn't be much help. Who else can I ask? I don't have any friends that would be helpful in this situation.

Maybe the person I tell doesn't have to be my friend, per say. If my objective is to not die, maybe it would be a good idea to have someone that knows a thing or two about fantasy universes on my side.

I pull out my phone.

Hey Zach.

wut?

Do u have Ben's or Sylvia's #?

y

No reason. Just want to ask 1 of them a question.

yea. heres bens.

****

As it turns out, I can't handle Ben. I invited him over to my house for a half an hour, and within five minutes I wanted to strangle the kid. I didn't tell him about Freinvikh, thank God, but I did tell him about the whole 'fall asleep wake up in a different world thing.' Told him it was for an English project.

The first thing the kid did was tell me about how he wishes he was in my English class. He'd write the best story ever; surely, he'd receive top marks. Then, he proceeded to tell me what kinds of creatures to put in my world. When I told him I'd already decided, he tried to convince me to change them because obviously he knew what he was talking about.

Finally, he went on to brag about how he would totally survive in a world like that because he's 'like a sword expert.' He's never taken a class, but he's read Lord of the Rings and A Song of Ice and Fire, and that's good enough, apparently.

I kicked him out.

My only other option is Sylvia, the nerdiest person I know. Well, I've never actually talked to her. She's always wearing tee shirts for things like Harry Potter, Star Wars, and other crap I've never heard of. If anyone can help me survive in Freinvikh, it's her.

I had to go through the grapevine to get her number, and when I did, it was a little awkward.

Hey Sylvia it's Asher.

Hello.

I have an English assignment and I need ur help.

Your*

Whatever. Can u help me?

You* and yes, I can. Why are you asking me?

Idk. U seem to know lots about English.
I don't know* You*

Thank you. And sure, I can help you. Want me to help you before school tomorrow?

Well I won't be at school tomorrow. I broke my ribs and I can't come.

Then why do you need help right now?

I ran out of things to say. This girl is too smart; she can see past all my excuses.

Just, please.

Fine. I'll be there in ten minutes.

****

I don't think Sylvia likes me. Why, you ask? Well, reason number one is that she completely refuses to sit near me. She says she's claustrophobic, but I can tell by the way she's acting that she just doesn't want to be near me.

Reason number two is that she replies to all of my questions in a tone that makes me feel like she's a genius and I'm an idiot. Now, that may be true, but I don't like feeling like it.

For example, I asked her if all dragons can breathe fire. She said, "No," in the snottiest voice ever.

This is not going to be a fun evening, I can tell you that right now.

****

So, after two hours of her lecturing me on the different types of elves and dwarves and whatnot and all they can do, I think I have a pretty basic understanding of the kind of people I'll be dealing with in Freinvikh. At least, I hope so. Otherwise, my mom will find me dead tonight.