Enchanted Hearts

Chapter 2

Delilah

"Run Delilah!" Mum called out to me from the iron gate entrance to the Power House.

A Virago guard came out from behind the wall and tackled her to the ground.

"Mum! Noooooo!" The guard was throwing punches anywhere she could get a shot, like a vicious monster, while Mum desperately tried to escape. I started running across the dirt, towards the action. But, I was too late. 

Another guard was coming, knife in hand. Her head was covered in brown dreadlocks and her expression was cold and merciless, which matched her fierce build. As the first guard jumped back up off the ground, the second brought the knife down on my mother. 

I froze. At first, I though the blade had gone through my heart and not Mum's. As I watched her eyes become lifeless I was sure my heart had literally stopped beating. When the two ladies, started coming for me I finally came to my senses, my sorrow and anger immediately turned to stomach-churning fear. 

I turned and sprinted towards the forest, away from the only entrance to buildings and electricity, civilisation. I would keep running and eventually lose them, but this time was different. Instead of running into the forest, I ran into warm arms. I looked up into pretty eyes which I knew so well. Mum! 

"Mum?" I was so confused. 

"I love you Delilah, but I am afraid I won't be coming back to Earth. I need to tell you something." Her face suddenly became all serious and she tensed up. 

"Yes... Anything Mum." This was weird. 

"Your heart. It's enchanted. Enchanted with love..."

"Um, okay." What on Earth. I know she isn't alive anymore, but still...

"This is going to sound even crazier, but you have to unite the Virago and Moxie. The Misfits are at war, now is your chance."

"What? Mum, that's impossible."

"No, it isn't. There are others like you out there,  you must find them. They will help you."

"How will I know if their heart is enchanted?"

"You will be drawn to them by the magic inside your heart," she said, a smile hinting at her lips. 

"What do I do though?" Why me?

"Leave the cave-" She started explaining but was rudely interrupted. 

"Leave the cave?!" Now I was really starting to freak out. 

"Leave everything behind. Go to the Virago Misfits and start there." She put her hand on my cheek. "I know you can do this, it's our only hope of saving this world. I have to go now, but be strong." She started to fade into forest, like an angel drifting back into heaven. 

"I won't let you down, Mum. I love you..."

At first I thought it was just the usual nightmare that haunted me most nights. But, when Mum appeared I knew it was different. Can people visit you in your dreams? This can't be possible. But what if it is. I have to go. How can I ignore my mother? Enchanted heart? What could that mean? And there are others like me too? This really does seem crazy. I really need to calm down. 

I went down to The River(official name) to wash and get some fresh air. The sun was just coming up and it instantly reminded me of Mum, she loved the sun. Maybe it was a sign. I can't let Mum down, even if she was just a dream. I have to go to the Misfits, but the thought of leaving the cave truly was scary. I have never known any other home than the cave, but what have I got to lose.  

Mum said the Misfits are at war. That would explain the rabbit trap and Abigail.  If they are at war, how is that going to give me a chance to bring them together? Can dead people see into the future? She must know something I don't. Well, my mind is made up. I am going to the Misfits. Today. It shouldn't take too long to get there, I should make it there by tonight.  I have nothing better to do here anyway. What am I going to do with my life, if not this? 

I started packing straight after I left the river. It wouldn't all fit into the bag, I was taking too much. When Mum said 'leave everything behind' did she mean everything. In the end, I gave up, taking only my water carrier and my good spear point knife. Hopefully it was enough. I left around mid-morning, wearing three-quarter length denim pants, a purple hooded skivvy and my old brown converse sneakers I'd been saving for an occasion.  

I took one last look at the cave between two giant rock, covered in moss and surrounded by flowers and ferns. Then, I headed for The River, I planned to just keep following it up until I came across the Misfit's campsite. I walked for about three hours before stopping to have a rest and eat some food. As I was eating some wild strawberries I found not far from the river bank, I noticed a trail of smoke cutting through the clear blue sky. I would bet anything that was the Misfits camp. It was only a few more hours walk by looks of it. I was so excited and nervous I started off again, towards the smoke. Just as Mum used to say; where there's smoke, there's fire.