Something to Nothing

Chapter Nine

We walk into the town and end up going back to where the Keeper lives. When we enter the building, no one is around. Jordan quickly walks up the stairs and a moment later comes back down. He turns to me.

  "No one is around. That is not normal." He tells me.

  I respond, "Maybe they went to do something."

  He shakes his head. "That is not like them."

  "So you care or at least enough to pay attention."

  Jordan laughs. "I don't have to pay attention to understand my parents hate each other and can not come within fifty feet of each other. Yet, they still want to get revenge, so they try to use me and their other families to do that. Hence, the disappearance of Serena or the fact that Tasha is always making sure Anne and Aiden are always safe, because they too have gone missing."

  Then Jordan walks off. He goes out the door which leaves me alone in the empty building. A moment later I exit and find Jordan has already disappeared. Not that it is difficult for him to do so.

  I look around and walk down the road. I have no idea where to go or what to do. I end up walking around aimlessly until it is night. Once it becomes night, I find a place to sleep. I find it a little difficult to get to sleep, because I finally will be able to go home tomorrow. I can't wait. This is all I have wanted since I got here. Right? I want to think so, but there is something that is making me question that and I'm not sure what it is. I try not to think about it as I fall asleep.

  I wake up and for a second I forget where I am. Then I remember. I am in Igorium, somewhere in Igorium, but not for long. I jump up and find my way to Townshend Center. I am not completely sure where I ended up last night. It turns out I am in some area just outside of the town, which makes me feel better. I do not want to get lost now. Not when tonight I can finally escape. Escape. That does not sound right. Would leave be a better term?

  I push my thought aside and think back to what Jordan said yesterday about where the portal opens. He said it opens beyond the lava pool. That is where I need to get. I just have no idea where that is, so I have even less of an idea on how to get there. I take a deep breath and step into the forest. I hear leaves crunch under my feet. I need to get as far as I can and then maybe I can find someone to help me.

  As I walk further into the forest, everything seems to be dark. Darker than usual. I wonder why that is. Suddenly, everything gets creepy. I hear crows in the distance and start to hear screams. I try not to pay attention to it. That is just normal here. At least, that is what I have found to be true. Then someone walks out in front of me and I become fearful. It is not Igor, but I wonder if this person is worse. Prowler.

  "Hey!" He snarls.

  I gulp. "Hi."

  "Are you scared? There is no reason for that. Just because you escaped from me and I have been looking for you to take you captive." He tells me.

  I laugh. "I'm not scared. In fact, you should just let me go. I have not done anything to you."

  "That is what you think. You trespassed on my territory. I get to deal with you in any way I want. Igor's orders."

  I state, "I thought the Trespassing Three were in charge of that."

  "Well, they obviously did not do their job. Besides, if you get past them and on to my territory, you become my problem."

  I take a small step backward.

"I get you feel this way and whatever. However, I really just want to get home. Don't do this."