Emerald (The Protector) - undergoing editing

Chapter 31

"Do you really think this is wise?" Sarah asked her friend as they followed the men along the same track they had traversed the night before.

"I think we can trust Geoffrey and Hank, don't you?"

"Well yes, but still, they don't know that those guys were the same ones that tried to attack me in my world. Do you trust them enough to let them know that I'm not from here?"

Emerald shook her head "Not yet, perhaps soon. We are going to have to start trusting people though. Not everyone wants to hurt you Sarah."

"Yeah about that - I still want to know what they want from me and from you for that matter. You are involved in this as much as I am."

"I know. Once we solve the mystery of the mill, we can then make our way to the Capital which will hopefully reveal more answers than questions."

Sarah sighed "I hope so. Even though I have always wanted to be adventurous, now I'm not so sure it's all it's cut out to be."

Em playfully bumped Sarah's arm only to apologise profusely when she saw the other girl wince "Oh Sarah, I'm so sorry. I totally forgot."

"It's fine, I'm fine, don't worry about. "C'mon, let's catch up with the others."

Seeing the mill in daylight was a completely different experience for Sarah. It certainly didn't look as forbidding as it had in the darkness. Now that she could see the machines on display, she didn't feel as worried. It looked just a like a normal saw mill from back home, at least what she thought a saw mill would look like.

Emerald led them to the building they had entered the evening before. Sarah was taken aback by the amount of destruction. Did I cause all this? she wondered as she surveyed the room.

Emerald headed over to where they had last seen the laptop, but it was no longer there. Neither were their two attackers, but that came as no shock to either of the girls. They did, however, see a trail of blood leading to another door. One or both of them must have been hurt quite seriously, from the amount of blood on the floor. Sarah felt a little guilty about that though she knew Emerald would tell her not to worry; and she was puzzled. She thought she had only knocked them out.

Geoffrey walked over and opened the door where the blood trail led to and Sarah could see that it was another exit to the yard. She felt a gust of wind blow through the broken windows and shivered.

"Well, apart from the mess, it doesn't look like it has changed much since I was last here," Geoffrey remarked.

"I agree," said Hank "though I don't remember those machines being there," He pointed to a group of smaller machines covered in a thick tarpaulin.

"Actually, you're right. I don't remember those either" Geoffrey agreed as he made his way over to the said machines. Pulling the covers away Geoffrey stared at the machines, a frown marring his face.

"I don't think I've ever seen machines like these either."

Sarah looked over to see what they were discussing and let out a small gasp as she looked at Emerald to see her reaction. The machines the men were referring to were, in fact, small motor cycles. Someone has definitely been to my world Em.

Emerald gave her a small nod to acknowledge that she had heard her.

"What are they?" Hank asked as he prodded a tyre with his foot.

"No idea. Strange looking things. Are they some sort of cart?"

"Possibly." Hank ran a hand over the handle bars and mirrors. "Do you think this is a seat?" He pointed to the leather cushion.