Soldier

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

I was definitely sure I hadn't made it. I was still trapped in Tahol and had to start a new life there. But when I opened my eyes to take a look at my surroundings both Phee and Michael were gone. The entangled trees was still there with the portal, but the light had died out. Now it was just two ordinary trees like any other. My clothing still contained by the shirt and trousers from Phee's father. I couldn't believe I made it back. Was I home? The only answer was to walk down that road and see if my house was there. I stood up and soon found the trail. I found the road and followed it. What if I'd end up somewhere new? How many different dimension can exist?

I didn't have to think about it because soon I saw my grandmother's house, my home. I started to run. My chest filled up with a happiness I hadn't felt for long. I wanted to shout her name.

I stopped when I noticed the police car who stood parked on the driveway. What are they doing here?

I walked more quiet and sneaked up to the open window and bent beneath it.

“I'm sorry, mrs Perkinson” I heard a man's voice say, a police officer. “We need to cancel the search”

“Why?” I froze at the sound of my dear grandmother's voice. It sounded so frail and I could tell she'd been crying. “Why are you giving up?

“It's been several months and no sight of your granddaughter. We're cancelling the search temporarily” A woman spoke.

“How could you just give up? My niece is out there!” I recognised my uncle's voice. He'd come all the way from the states? My grandmother only cried and it ached. I should go inside and show them I was still alive. But what would I tell them? 'Hi, I've been trapped in a different world called Tahol'. They would think I was a loony. But still I couldn't keep hiding, so I walked up the porch and opened the front door. My grandmother sat in the couch, my uncle placed beside her and the officers in front. They all looked at me as I closed the doors. Grandmother stared at me before she rushed out from the couch and drew me into my arms.

“Alice” She cried out and held my cheeks.

“Is this your granddaughter?” One of the officer's asked.

“Yes, that's her” My uncle stared at me and his voice was dry. Neither my grandmother or my uncle would let go of me. No one cared that I was filthy with dirt and wore strange clothes.

“Miss, we need to ask you a few questions” Of course I knew the police would want to know where I've been all these months. There was no way I was going to tell them the truth. So instead I told them a lie.

“I knocked my head and lost my memory. I've been living with another family until I remembered who I was a week ago”

Would they believe it? It didn't seem like it, but they didn't ask any further questions.

“Glad your back, miss Perkinson” They said and left.

Grandmother kept hugging me and then took a good look at me.

“Now tell me the truth” She said. I knew I couldn't lie to her. I told her the truth, hoping she would believe me. I told her about the glowing hole, about Tahol and how I met Phee. I told her about the archery competition and how I soon ended up as a guard with the princess. Of course I didn't miss out by telling I dressed up as man and how I met Nicholas. I told them about the Elfoak and the prophecy. I told them about the wars and everyone important who died. I even told them about Michael, the talking frog.

“It turned out the prophecy was about me and that I couldn't get home until I freed the elves” I finished. “And here I am”

“I believe you” My grandmother said. What did she just say?