Chronicles of a Love Story

Chapter 3 : Shelter

I had closed my eyes as I entered the light, Nero held tightly in my arms. I hadn't the slightest idea as to what to expect, unable to bring myself to open my eyes for what felt like ages. I didn't know what to expect, it was a fact that terrified me.

I was thankful that what snapped me back to reality wasn't the smell of burning, but rather the sensation of a cool breeze brushing over my skin. The air was filled with the scent of fresh water and what I could only assume was a mixture of incense and flowers.

Slowly I opened my eyes, finding myself seated in the middle of a garden, a small waterfall flowing and what looked like an endless sea of flowers surrounded me. I heard footsteps in the grass behind me, turning my head I saw Korien... But no one else. Quickly I gave the area a once over, Milly, was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is she, Korien?"

"The blonde?" He replied.

"No shit, where is Milly? You were the last one to see her." I urged, I needed an answer.

"I don't know. Chick refused to follow me through, and as far as I know, didn't step through it even after I left. Otherwise, she'd be here with us." He shrugged, sighing as he brushed it off. I was his concern, not her.

"Korien! You should have forced her to come through! Instead you left her back there with those monsters?!" I was raising my voice, it was in my best interest to stay calm but, it just didn't seem like something that was possible at the moment. Especially since my best friend had just been left behind in the ruins of a city.

"Please. Uzi, remain calm. She did, in fact follow you all through. She simply didn't do so at the same moment. Your friend entered the portal as the spell was ending. She made it away from them, she however, didn't make it here to your final destination."

The source of the voice was a woman who was in the midst of walking towards us. Her hair a mixture of black and a golden blonde, her eyes a stunning shade of red. There was something about her eyes though... While at first glance they seemed warm, welcoming, and gentle... There was something about them that gave me a cold chill. Something that reminded me of Sheba, a similar feeling of somebody looking straight through you rather than at you.

"Great, that makes me feel a whole lot better considering now I know what is beyond the walls of human territory. She may have gotten away from them but who knows what is after her now!" I growled, my words dripping in irritation. "Look, I have a few questions for you. One, where are we. Two, who are you, all of you. And finally three, where is Milly?"

"I will explain everything, but in time. Please," She held out a hand, gesturing to the small bundle of fur that was in my arms. I had almost forgotten about him. "Nero is in need of immediate medical care, standing here in the gardens bickering, isn't going to get him the help he needs."

I gasped softly, glancing down at him. He seemed to at peace, though it was obvious that his breathing was much slower and shallow than it should be. I bit my lower lip, one of my hands reaching to brush through the plush made that surrounded his neck.

"Fine... We get him the help that he needs, and then you tell me what I need to know..." I replied, my words sharp and to the point.

There was a soft sigh that escaped Korien, me looking to him from the corner of my eyes. His expression was a mixture of both understanding and frustration and his lips were pursed tightly together as he held back whatever it was he had been wanting to say.

Finally a heavier sigh escaped him as he offered me a hand to get to my feet before walking towards the woman. "Alright then Sol, lead the way. You know this place as well as the back of your hand. I still get lost every time you drag our sorry hides here."