Unreal

Chapter 2

It's been an hour of silence between Nichole and Jordan. No arguments at all. The fight beforehand was forgotten about the moment Nichole found out where she is. Still unable to comprehend what is going on, Nichole kept quiet. Jordan was enjoying how silent everything was but still felt a blue feeling glow from Nichole. He sighed, thinking of something to break the tension in the air.

"So...Nichole is it?" She nodded her head.

"Um...listen...I can tell something is wrong with you but once we reach my friend's house I'm sure everything will make sense ok?" Nichole nodded once again, still not having the voice to speak right now. Her mind poured on by thoughts. First Kevin now her family? Just thinking about everything that has happened so far, makes Nichole exhausted. Her eyes begin to droop a little bit, causing her eyes to shut completely while her head falls on top of Jordan's chest. Jordan jumped a little bit due to being startled.

Eventually, he came to the house of his friends. An old married couple by the names of Elise and Peter Atherton. Elise was inside of the house, cooking acorn and potato stew with bread. Peter was stacking last bits of firewood outside of the house. The sound of horse hooves hitting the ground caught Peter's attention. He turned to see a weak, and sleepy Nichole and a very tired Jordan. Peter raised his hands to wave towards the Prince.

"Jordan!! Its been a while boy!!" Jordan smiled. He felt relaxed in Elise and Peters company. He doesn't like being treated like royalty all the time. Peter once again looked at the girl but saw the awful gash in her forehead. He turned to Jordan.

"Who is this...? and what happened to her?" With Nichole in his arms, he jumped off the horse.

"I'll try to explain as much as I can inside" Peter lead the prince inside with Nichole still asleep. Elise smiled once she saw Jordan but worry swallowed her the minute her eyes laid on Nichole.

"Good heavens!! What happened?!" Elise asked as Jordan laid down Nichole on a bed.

"She told me she got stuck in a storm and a branch struck her" He replied. Elise immediately grabbed a wet washcloth and a bandage. She lightly dabbed at the wound while Jordan and Peter continued to talk.

"So you found her on the side of the road you say?"

"Yes, but what I don't understand is her choice of clothes!!" Peter looked over. Nichole was wearing a small gray hoodie, light blue jeans, and pink converse but her hair long, curly and brown.

"And her bag is made out of leather as well" Peter took the bag from Jordan's hands. It was rustic and yet smooth at the same time. Very well crafted.

"What is this young girls name?" Elise asked from the other room.

"Nichole!" Peter turned to Jordan once again.

"Any other details of how you guys met?"

"She claimed that on the road I was traveling on was her parent's house. But I have been on this road plenty of times and have never seen any house of any kind. Her face went pale, and tears piled up into her eyes once she saw her family's house wasn't there anymore..." Jordan sighed.

"And beforehand we had a slight bickering, but the moment I saw how sad she got, I felt a little bad..." He confessed. Peter shrugged.

"Maybe she's not from this time period. Maybe she's from the future?" Jordan chuckled.

"That's not po-"

"Do you not know how many people time travel on that road? I couldn't tell you all the times people of different cultures come to our aid...." Peter responded lowly. Jordan gulped. He knows that magical and explainable events can occur here. He's just to stubborn and doesn't want to admit to it. He would prefer a world without magic at all. Even though it does wonders for him. After a little while, Elise finished treating Nichole's injury, finishing by wrapping cloth around her head. Jordan feeling slightly relaxed, watching Elise help Nichole's health. Even if they had a small fight.

"I believe it's best that Nichole stays here for the night" Elise said, walking back to the kitchen. Peter looked up at Jordan.

"You don't plan on going and then her here to stay with us tonight do you?" Jordan sighed.

"I believe my parents won't approve of my going on this journey with another lady" Peter rolled his eyes.

"Your parents are sometimes strict I know...but at least help this poor girl find her way home...it's not that hard I'm sure..." Peter walked into the kitchen with Jordan following behind. Elise was pouring stew into three bowls. Peter sat down at the table.

"Jordan dear? why don't you rest here for the night and have some stew to help you feel more relaxed" Elise said. Jordan sighed and gave in to her words, sitting down at the table as well.

"Thank you both for your hospitality, I greatly appreciate it" He said, eating the stew right afterwards. Elise grabbed some water.

"And what quest has your family sent you on?" Jordan nearly choked at the question.

"I've been sent on a quest to fight the most dangerous monsters, then will I be crowned King and have a bride" Elise sighed.

"men...always have to prove something to make a girl fall in love with them..." Peter took offense.

"Do you not remember how you reacted when I picked up a whole log in front of you?!" Elise scowled.

"Yes, to prove that the man I was going to marry before wasn't as strong as you were!" Jordan sighed. He gets tired just watching Elise and Peter bicker about something that happened years ago. He heard shuffling in the room where Nichole was. He stood up from the table to look. He find Nichole scared and breathing heavily on the bed.

"Jordan...? what am I-"

"Relax Nichole, some of my friends have healed your wound and we are resting here for the night...then starting tomorrow morning we will find a way to get you back home ok?" Nichole nodded her head, going back to sleep.