Secrets Unknown

Chapter 2 Lilly

Stephanie handed me some tea as I sat at the table. "I really can't thank you enough you know" I just smiled at her and thanked her for the tea. The tea smelled like rose, vanilla and mint "No need to thank me. I'm sure anyone would have done it. Also this tea is amazing". She laughed at my reaction to the tea. "You say that but I'm afraid not many people would jump into a burning building to save a stranger" I smile at her yeah, but it was just a little boy so I'm sure if someone else could have they would have charged right in there with me. "You said it was bandits that set the fire?" I asked to make sure I had all the facts. She nodded in response. "They apparently wanted more grain then we could give them and got violent when they didn't get their way."

I looked at her concerned "do they come around very often?" she looked at me confused "you really aren't from around here are you?" "No, I'm not." I guess if it wasn't obvious by my clothes or the way I talk then it would be by my lack of knowledge of this place. She was watching my reactions closely. Almost analyzing me. "Lilly, what happened to You?" I give her a concerned look. "Well I guess I could tell you, so long as you don't freak out. You might even be able to help me". She refilled my cup with more tea and I continued on to tell her what happened.

"Well, it was a normal day like any other and I was on a date with my boyfriend Emile" Stephanie jumped in "boyfriend?" Oh uh... "a boyfriend it kind of like someone who is courting you where im from" she responded in awe. "Anyways..." I began to recall the situation in detail.

There was a horse-like creature standing on top of the lake. The creature was beautiful but intimidating. When Emile said that this place was magical this was not what I was expecting. The creature quickly started running in circles on the water creating a strange whirlwind in the air and causing the water to spin uncontrollably. The creature then charged at Emile and I. Emile somehow managed to pull me away in time for the creature to miss me. The creatures eyes were a deep blue and its teeth were yellow, not like its fur. Emile had me wrapped in his arms and was trying to get me to run with him but I couldn't move. Everything in my being was telling me I needed to get away from here but my body was paralyzed in fear.

The creature ran at Emile and I again this time managing to bite into my arm. I screamed in pain and Emile tried to hold onto me and stay on the ground however the creature was too strong and pulled us into the water. We started being swept away by the water. It was getting harder and harder to breathe and Emile was trying to hold onto me but the current seemed to be pulling us in different directions. The last thing I could see was Emile reaching for me as we got separated in the water. Then I lost consciousness.

When I open my eyes I am surrounded by trees the only things I hear is the sound of the wind and rushing water. I sit up and try to get my mind together. After a few moments of looking around in a daze I remember the creature and start to freak out. "Emile? Emile!" I stand up soaking wet and feeling heavier than usual. I need to find him. I start walking in the direction of the water hoping it will take me back to the park. What in the world was that thing? I'd call it a horse but horses can't walk on water and the certainly don't try to kill people by drowning them. Oh my god! What if it killed Emile?! Tears started forming in my eyes as I thought of all the bad things that could have happened to him and I slap myself on the cheek. "Stop it! You can't think that way. Just focus on finding him" I tell myself aloud and continue to look around and follow the river.

After following the river for a bit longer I saw some smoke coming from up ahead and I ran towards it in hopes of finding someone who could help me or maybe even Emile himself. That's how I found the village and the hut that was on fire and how I met you." Stephanie looked at me with concern on her face then stood up and left the room without saying anything. When she came back she had a book in her hands then started flipping through pages. She finally stopped flipping through the pages and handed me the book. "The creature!" Stephanie frowned at me and sqt back down. "If that is really the creature you saw then I'm afraid you are in a lot of trouble." I looked up at her again "what is it?". "Its name is Olgun and its a demon that lives in water. When he sees someone with enough energy about them or that he thinks is interesting he drags them into the water and pulls them into different worlds." I looked up at her in shock "Your saying... what are you saying?". "I'm saying, I don't think your in the same world that you were." I sat there quietly as she explained the reasons she believes this to be true. "You wear strange makeup and clothes that we have never seen around here. You don't seem to have hardly any scars or marks on your body. You also strange characteristics and look very different than anyone else here."

My head is spinning at the idea that any of this is possible. "If that's the case then I really do need to leave immediately to find Emile. Who knows what could happen to him." I'm so worried. "You won't be leaving tonight. It's already dark outside and your still hurt by that nasty bite you have on your arm. You can leave at dawn, but for now you should rest" I know she is right, I can barely even move my arm right now and it's frightening to even be near the Forrest right now. I nod "I guess I should head to bed then. Stephanie shows me to a room with a few blankets on the floor in a pile. I guess they don't have beds in this world. "Thank you for letting me stay the night" I say as appreciative as I can "It's the least I can do after you saved my child's life. Goodnight!" She left me in the room and I laid a blanket on the floor and covered myself up with another one and then drifted off to sleep.

The next morning I got up early and said goodbye to Stephanie then I left on my search of Emile. I searched for what felt like hours and of it hadn't been for Emile always tricking me into exercising I would probably not be in shape enough to be able to keep this up for very long. The ground was nowhere near flat and with all the hills it was fairly difficult to keep going. I have to take a break at least. I know I need to find him but honestly I think I need need a moment to collect my thoughts. I sighed and sat down on the ground. I was in a grassy area and there were trees everywhere. It was hard to figure out where you were supposed to go.

Suddenly I hear some strange noises coming from the trees. That does NOT sound good... I stand up and start to head in the direction opposite of the sound. "Is it just me or is that noise getting louder?" I turn around and see... a man? The man had on some kind of black hooded cape hiding his clothing and face. All I could see was pale skin that looked almost comparable to a sheet of printer paper. "Hi?" I said uncomfortably. There is something seriously off about this guy. Where did he come from? He stepped towards me not saying anything. I decided to try to keep moving forward and hope for the best but the man was walking directly towards me. The man was finally close enough for me to see him a bit more clearly. His hands were covered in red and brown liquid. His eyes black as could be. He has a wicked smile that seemed to stretch ear to ear and his lips were as red as fresh blood.

Is he going to hurt me? I started shaking as the man just stood there in front of me. I shouldn't judge someone based on appearances but he looks frightening. Smells horrible. Looks like he has blood on his hands. And is literally walking in the forrest. What else should I think? "Um... Sir, I'm sorry but I need to get going. Did you need to talk to me about something?" He then started moving his hard up towards me when suddenly a shadow flew past my vision and knocked the man back. Next thing I knew is my feet weren't on the ground and someone's arms were wrapped around me