Soldier

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

A thick fog surrounded me. Wherever I went I couldn't find my way out. My feet stepped on nothing and for every step I thought I would fall down for eternity. I couldn't see anything either. Was I dead? Or did death not want me and decided to put me in the waiting area? If that was the case, it wasn't a bit hilarious. Every breath I took felt like fire and my lungs started to burn. Not literally, but if this was the feeling I had to have for every inhalation to survive, they might just be.

“Fine, I'm dead. Can you pass me forward?” I cried and waved my hands in the air. Not even an answer. This guy was rude to not let me pass. It's not like he was Gandalf with a waving wand. It felt like I was going in circles, trying to find my way out of a labyrinth. Slowly a small pain started to get known at the back of my head. It was very small, but enough to irritate me. Slowly it increased and soon it felt like a migraine. Someone please give me a bloody aspirin! I put my hands on my head, foolish to let me believe it would ease. At the same time I noticed the fog lighten. The shade of white turned to brown and dark. Instead of standing something pulled me down. Soft material touched my hands and I noticed it was cotton. It felt like I've awoken from a dream because when I looked around I was not lost in the forest. Well, that depends on how you determine the word 'lost'. I didn't know where I were, but I was no longer on the ground. Instead I lay on a small bed, with white sheets beneath. The blue sky hiding behind the treetops was replaced by a roof made of branches and knots. I raised my eyebrows at my environment. Where was I? The throbbing pain in my head increased and I noticed the bump at the back. “Great” I mumbled to myself. When I made an attempt at standing up someone entered the doorway, which only consisted by a curtain. I noticed it was a female, carrying something in her hands. She had hair black as the night and skin pale as snow. Then I noticed her eyes. The blue piercing eyes that's been haunting me. I stumbled back against the wall and didn't dare go near her.

“You are awake” Was the first words she spoke. “Where am I?” I couldn't let the words leave my mouth quick enough. “In Argia and I'm so sorry about hurting you” She sounded utterly sorry as she prepared something with what she brought. She pulled her hair back and that's when I noticed it. Her ears. They were larger than ordinary human ears and was pointy in the end. “You're an elf” I whispered, in shock about my realisation. She didn't look up. “You sound surprised”

But how is this possible? Everyone said it was only a story, even though I wished it to be true it was nothing more than a story. “How's this possible?” I asked her, my eyes wide. Her laugh sounded like beautiful bells chime together in a melody. It was enchanting. “As possible as every life is born here” She smiled at me. There were so many questions I wanted to ask, but none of them slipped out. As she was done, with whatever she was doing, she handed me the bowl. It consisted of a green, creamy liquid that reminded me of avocado. “It's for the aching on your head” She explained and smeared it at the back of my head. “Does it hurt much?” I shook my head. Not since she put the cream on it, but I didn't say that. “You're not going to kill me?” I asked her, fear in my voice. She stopped and stared at me. It's true then, I thought.

“What would possibly make you think I would want you dead?” She asked and sounded confused. “I've heard the stories” My voice barely made out a sound. “About the pure ones to stay”

“That is ridiculous! We do not harm any living creature, even if they make wrong assumptions” She gave me a small smile, her blue eyes shining as in the dark. “I'm sorry” I said. I wonder how long I've been laying here. “Why did I pass out?” I asked her. “I wanted to talk to you, but you kept running in circles and made no attempt at standing still. And every time you kept pointing your bow at me” She said, seeing the humour in the situation. “To throw a rock was the only option I figured would make you stop. I'm sorry it was drastic, but I couldn't figure out anything else. And I couldn't leave you like that, unconscious” It was hurtful for me to be hit by the rock, but kind of her not to leave me. “And my name is Yoesphin. So you have something to call me by” She smiled once more. Yes, she was very kind. My eyes kept wandering to her ears, feeling fascinated of their shape. It's one thing to read about it at home and now to experience it. This was the first time I noticed my wound was gone and as well my fever. “My wound it's gone” I stated.