What Was Missing

Fourteen: -Lily/Lila-

The multitude of branches in the alluring jungle thwack against my sweat-covered body as I push forward with more strength than I could ever imagine.

On and on I run, not wanting to stop, but at the same time, barely able to keep going. Sure, it did feel perfect a few minutes ago, but now, the mild weather couldn't be more scorching. If only I had a water bottle... I scowl, and banish the thought from my head. Can't think about that now.

I begin to mutter under my breath, using an old phrase I learned long ago. Why do I sprint? For my parents. How do I run? Poorly. It's an odd strategy, I got it from my dad, but it seems to work. In my mind, I keep one goal, and one fault; something to get to, and something to improve. Pulling in a few more ragged breaths, I lower my head, letting it hang between my aching shoulders. Why do I sprint? For my parents. How do I run? Poorly.

Honestly? I'm out of shape big-time.

Easing back my weary skull to face ahead once again, I gasp as I notice that I've lost my targets. My only guides. The dragons. They're out of sight, and I have no idea where they've gone.

Swearing under my breath, I trip and stumble, falling onto the softened ground. With a strangled 'Oof,' I collide with the dirt, banging my elbow and biting my lip painfully. I feel something crawl over my leg, but I don't even care. This was such a bad idea, I think to myself. Well, no duh. You knew that from the beginning, didn't you? I prop myself up with my elbows, and wipe my hand across my forehead. I can't give up now. Gotta find my parents.

Heaving myself up to my feet, I sway for a second, but muster my willpower and continue to sprint the way I was previously heading. Maybe they're just ahead. Maybe I still have a chance... Grimacing as I trip over a rock, I hold my breath and keep jogging.

As I weave through the blurring trees, I begin to gain speed, and can eventually muster a slight smile. I can make it... I can do it. Why do I sprint? For my parents. How do I run? Poorly.

My bare feet crush plant after plant, and trip over vine after softest leaf, until finally I reach something unexpected.

I've hit a large stone wall.

The cracked, cave-like rock looms before me, reaching no less than twenty meters into the air. As I slow down to approach it, I look to the right and left, but it seems to go on endlessly. I've hit a dead end...

No... Not now! Tearing up, I punch the wall with all my might, and after injuring my hand, crumple onto the forgiving ground. Sobbing, I raise my wounded hand and clench it. It's just so unfair... I've gone so far! This could've been my new life!

Rubbing my bleeding knuckles, I feel a cool tear trace its way down my cheek. I want to punch something, to kick something, to hurt someone, and since I don't have my parents, nothing can take that feeling away. And so, like an indignant schoolgirl, I clench my teeth, rise to my feet, and kick the wall with all my might, my pale leg sinking in.

Sinking in?!

Startled, I retract my foot, and it comes out clean as a whistle. No gravel. No wounds. No blood. Hesitantly, I ease it in again, and it passes straight through the grey once more, with no sense of touch. Waving it up and down, I find that the odd illusion seems to go only from my toe to my hip. Can I go through it? Well, there's only one way to find out. Laying down on my chest, I wriggle inside, shut my eyes against the disorienting effect, and crawl until I can feel the breeze on my cheek again. When I stand up and open my eyes, nothing is the same.

Okay, maybe that's a lie. The sky is still blue, and the clouds still pass above. But there's no trees. No plants. Just an endless plain, only interrupted by a grey dot in the far distance. Turning around, I view something quite abnormal.

Where the grey wall was on the other side, a glass-like substance hangs about a meter off of the ground, stretching almost infinitely to each side. As I ease over and brush it, it's as smooth as a polished countertop. The trees are blurred yet visible behind the floating barrier, but when I view the gap, they become clear to my eyes. Falling to my hands and knees, I notice that the foliage is cut off abruptly at the gap. Weird.

I start to raise back to my feet, but before I finish, something falls on top of me from high up on the wall. It pins me down, and struggling, I try to writhe out from under its weight. No luck.

"What are you doing?" a faintly familiar voice growls, and looking up, I groan as I view the angry reptilian face. It's the dragon-thing, Kantar.

"I told you to run away!" he roars, and Oralina drops down beside him. She's frowning, and as she walks towards me, she scowls. "We have no choice now..."

No choice... I go rigid, and stare at her. "What choice?"

She looks at me sadly, and shakes her head. "You're in Their property. We have to deliver you over. They've probably already seen us." She pauses, and lowers her head. "We have to bring you to Them." To them. The people who did what they did to my parents!

"No!" I scream, struggling with the male dragon's weight. I don't even know why I'm scared, but I am.

Kantar finally pushes off of me, but before I can rise, something pierces my shoulder. Not again... Everything starts to fade, but before I'm gone, I hear the female speak once more.

"We're sorry... Lilian."

...How did she... How did she know... my name...?