Skobex's Return

Chapter 9

Christopher jumped when he reopened his eyes. A person was crouched beside him, watching him intently. Christopher instinctively went for his knife and held it against the persons neck.

'Don't hurt me, please.' The person pleaded.

Christopher realised that this person was Abel. He lowered his knife and sat up.

'I'm glad you're finally awake,' Abel said. 'I want to thank you and Anastasia for saving me from that wicked being.'

Christopher's body ached in pain. He still felt drained from using all of those spells— he hated to imagine how Anastasia felt.

'How's Anastasia?' Christopher asked. 'Is she alright? Is she hurt?'

'I... I'm not sure. She hasn't woken up yet.'

Christopher stood up and walked toward her. She was still slumped on the ground. Her face and clothes were covered in dirt. Her skin on her arms had several cuts covering them.

He sat next to her, mostly because he was worried about her. A little part of the reason was that he started to feel like he was going to fall unconscious again. Abel followed and sat next to Christopher.

Luckily, Anastasia began to stir and her eyes fluttered open.

'Christopher?' She managed. 'How's Abel? Did we save him? Is Cinderash safe?'

'I'm alive,' Abel commented. 'I'm... sort of alright. Well, as much as I can be.'

Anastasia sat up but almost laid straight back down.

'Are you alright?' Christopher asked. 'You don't look very well.'

Anastasia managed a smile. 'You don't look good yourself.'

'Have you looked— wait, you haven't. Look out at Cinderash. It's beautiful.' Abel exclaimed.

Christopher helped Anastasia to her feet and they both held each other to keep balance as they slowly made their way to the edge of the castle roof. The view they saw was beautiful, like Abel had said. Cinderash looked the total opposite to what Christopher had seen when he first arrived.

The dead grass had transformed into a dark green colour. Withering trees now looked as though they were always full of leaves— various shades of greens and orange littered across Cinderash. The leaves and branches rustled in the gentle breeze. The sun also seemed to look brighter across the town. Christopher could also see far off into the distance, although all his eyes met with were level ground.

'This is beautiful.' Anastasia muttered.

'We should head back to your section of town.' Christopher offered. 'Everyone is probably worried about you and Abel.'

'We will. Let's just watch the view for a bit longer.'

Anastasia rested her head on Christopher's shoulder as they looked over the town.

'They've returned!' Maynard exclaimed. He ran straight towards the three of them and tackled Abel to the ground. Maynard helped his son up before his wife came to squeeze Abel in a tight hug.

'You three don't look so good.' Maynard commented.

'Thanks.' Anastasia replied.

'You should go see your mother, Anastasia. She's been worried sick for two nights. We can talk later.'

Abel walked home with his father whilst Anastasia and Christopher walked the opposite direction.

Along the way, Christopher found the garden patches. All the crops that grew had blossomed, covering the soil underneath. There were so many delightful smells coming from them, he couldn't pinpoint a single distinct smell as they all combined into one sweet-like scent.