Out of Body Experience

Chapter 9

Ella was not allowed to leave the base. It was one of the first things Benjamin told her and he made it very clear. He was adamant, if she ever did need to leave, it be with him, or, at the very least, his approval.

Despite this, "tomorrow, I'm taking you out of the base to see the fields," Abel declared.

"Oh... um..." Ella looked around the gym, "Benjamin said—"

"Benjamin isn't here," Abel reminded, "which is exactly why it's the perfect time for some adventure!"

Benjamin would not approve. Yet Ella had no intention of arguing with the ex-military general.

"Hopefully the fresh air, the wind, the sun, it'll help you find your powers!"

And monsters, Abel seemed to be forgetting that part. Despite the idea of monsters scaring Ella, after so long underground, the longing for fresh air and some sunlight was covering those fears like a thin sheet thrown over a large pile of bad ideas.

The next day Ella was dressed in all black, including a black rucksack with a pack lunch and a walkie talkie.

Abel was arguing with Caroline.

Caroline didn't agree with Abel's methods, and was threatening to tell Benjamin once he got back. Ella was confident she could argue Abel was at fault if Benjamin asked her. He was the responsible adult after all.

"Okay then," Abel walked over having finally convinced Caroline to open the doors, "let's go!"

Ella was surprised by the amount of people outside of the base. For some reason she thought everyone lived permanently underground. But of course, she was the sheltered child.

"Those are the guards," Abel pointed to a group of men in uniform, "our last line of defence, border control and such."

"They're wearing the same uniform Benjamin had when he picked me up."

Abel smiled, "yep. It's a staple of us magic users, it's so that civilians recognize us."

Ella nodded, "and the people without uniforms?" there were several groups of young adults wondering around, with overconfident expressions.

"Those are the patrols; they move around this area and take out any stray monsters. They also head into the city on the off chance one enters."

Ella recalled a group of magic users coming to her rescue back at the camping trip. She supposed they must have been one of these patrols.

"We won't be going far from the base today." Abel led the way into the nearby forest. "We're going to collect some plants for the infirmary," he handed her a piece of paper with names and pictures.

"Oh, this sounds fun," she smiled, accepting the sack.

Abel nodded, "you have your weapon?"

She held up a small knife.

He nodded, "stay close to me. It's unlikely we'd encounter a monster, but if we do, I'll take care of it, okay?"

"Yes Sir," she saluted.

Abel smiled, "do you feel any different out here?" The question was hopeful.

Ella shook her head.

"More powerful?"

"Nope."

Abel nodded, a slight disappointment as they started to collect the ingredients. Ella was good at finding and picking the plants. At first, she stuck close to Abel, but as she found more and more of the colourful flowers and bland mushrooms, she found herself wondering further and further away.

She was analysing a brown mushroom, comparing it to the picture on her list, when she heard leaves ruffling behind her.

Growling.

She bit her lower lip and grabbed a stick that was close to her hand. She turned slowly to see the blueish wolf. A monster.

She held the stick up slowly; her eyes were wide. She looked straight at the monster in seeming shock.

Then the monster pounced, but not at Ella, it got the stick she held up stuck in its mouth painfully. It looked Ella in the eyes and the shock was over. She found her knife and stabbed the wolf, standing over it as the blue became red.

"Abel!" she called.

The man appeared fast, throwing her to the side and holding up his sword. But the wolf was already dead. He lowered his weapon. "You did this?"

Ella picked up the sack of plants, a small nod, her eyes on the ground.

"That's... that's amazing. You must be powerful."

"I just got lucky."

"No." Abel shook his head, "it's bigger than you. Yet you took it out without a scratch, Ella, you are a powerful magic user. How did you do it?"

Ella turned away.

"Ella," Abel's tone was harsh, as if he were scolding her.

She moved her hands up to hold herself and a small sob escaped.

Abel froze.

"I'm scared," she began to cry, "I want to go home."

Abel nodded, kneeling down and pulling the child into his arms, "okay. We've collected enough plants for today. Let's get back to safety." He picked her up and she hid her face as she continued to cry.

Caroline's concern for Ella was only overshadowed by her anger for Abel upon their return.