The Rift

7

I awoke to find myself covered in a warm blanket of moss. My eyes fluttered up to the midnight sky and looked around to find our group soundly asleep. I sat up and stood to my feet. I noticed an empty spot and saw that Azra was the one missing. Taking in a deep breath, I started out where I saw tracks. Walking through the forest was rather peaceful. Nothing as I would have ever dreamed as a kid. To think any further, I was a good kid. I only started pickpocketing after I realized the world wasn't going to just take care of me. That I had to take care of myself.

Four Years Ago

My fingers grasped at the rim of the Pit. I let out an anguished breath and looked down to see Vanessa right on my tail. I pulled myself up and cried out in pain as my body ached from the climb up from the Pit. Vanessa said that the stairwell down and up was destroyed when prisoners tried to escape years ago. Now Sham Creek was in the hold of a band of men who call themselves the Tiger's Edge. Sounds...odd, I know. But obviously not to them. I flopped down onto the earth and took in deep breaths. I looked at Vanessa who was up and well. "Glad one of us has energy.", I mumbled. Vanessa laughed to herself and she looked around us. She started to walk, and I grudgingly stood and followed.

"What's your husband's name anyway?", I questioned.

She kept marching on and looked over her shoulder at me, "Jonathan.", she answered after a second. "We were traveling to get away from my parents. For a while it was fine. Then we into the Tiger's Edge. They split us up. I woke up here."

After that, we stayed quiet for minutes. And unexpectedly, so did the forest itself, which is unusual. "Do you hear that?", I questioned. Vanessa and I stopped and looked at each other. "No.", she breathed as if she was annoyed. "Exactly.", I said, looking up at the trees.

"This isn't real.", I let out a laugh. Vanessa looked at me in confusion and I started ahead and stopped when I saw it. A wall of white lingering in the distance. "There's only one person who can do this. His name is Alex and I'm going to kill him.", I growled.

"What is he exactly?", questioned Vanessa.

"He can manipulate minds. Make people see things that aren't there. Maybe even put us into a world inside our minds.", I explained as we treaded on further. She stopped and looked around. "Why connect our minds?", I mumbled to myself.  

"Yeah, got me there.", she said as she bent down and then looked up into the trees.

"Any idea on how to get out exactly?", Vanessa asked as I stopped to look at her.

"I have an idea, really.", I said, looking up at the trees.

Today

After a minute, I came to an opening to find Azra looking up at the moon and her eyes shining a vibrant blue. I stopped as she looked at me and smiled. She looked back up at the moon and closed her eyes. "When I met Zander, he made me naïve and for some reason. I didn't care. Lila falling for Eva. You and the future king of The Realms.", Azra lips spread into a reminiscing smile. I walked to where she stood and looked up at the moon as well.

"How did you meet?", I asked, finally. The warm air blowing softly against us and through the trees, making the leaves dance. 

She laughed to herself. "He saved me from a band of muggers. Devilish people, really. I ran away from the Royals palace. He saved me and in a way, I like to think I saved him for a while.", Azra said taking a glance my way.  Her pale lips pressed together in thought.

"How did you know? About me having to die, I mean.", I questioned once we finally sat in the green blades. Her eyes trailed back to mine and she clasped her hands together.