My eyes flutter open to the clear star-filled night. Each star twinkling brighter than the other. The moon waning gibbous. Three-fourth of it reflecting the sun's rays. My body is surrounded by the sapphire grass in the forest immersed with trees.
I could have stayed there for an eternity. If it was not for the lost souls crying in agony.
Immediately, my hands push the ground beneath me to haul myself up, only to sink in. Soon, my entire body is getting swallowed by the soil.
It was terrifying. I tried to move upwards but to no avail. My heart was ramming through my chest and the soil was up to my face. It was getting difficult to breath as I was getting buried alive. Tears streamed my cheeks, I did not want to die. And most definitely not like this.
The night sky turned pitch black, the soil had reached up to my eyes and I realized that was it. It will not take long before I suffocate and die. A horrible and painful death.
I jolt up, my hand clutching my chest as I try hard to breath. My eyes adjust to my surroundings and I find myself in a cottage, small rays of sunlight peering from the curtains.
I realize it had been just a nightmare. Sighing with relief, I lay back on the couch and close my eyes. Taking in deep breaths and being grateful for life.
Not a minute later that Oliver opens the door and as cheerful as ever greets me. "Good morning, sleepyhead!" I wonder where does he get all his positive energy from.
The brown-eyed elf walks to the curtains and swings them open, letting the morning sun fill the cottage with light and warmth.
I sit up and squint at him, not used to the sudden light. "Morning." I mutter, rubbing my eyes to get the sleep out of them.
"How was your sleep?" Oliver turned to face me, smiling.
"Great, if it wasn't for a nightmare." My voice is hoarse.
"Oh, sorry about that. I'm sure some nice fireberry pancakes should cheer you up." He went to the room I assumed the kitchen, grabbed a plate and got back.
A plate of steaming hot red pancakes drizzled with honey was laid before me. It smelled heavenly.
"It looks so good, but I would perfer washing my face first." I gently take the plate and place it on the table that Oliver was sitting on yesterday.
"Good idea, the washing room is right over there." The short boy points to a room a bit far opposite to the kitchen.
"And by the way," I stopped to hear what he had to say. "You might wanna brush your hair." He giggled softly, pointing to my bed hair- or should I say couch hair.
My face heats up in embarrassment. "Do you know where my bag is? I think I might have a brush in it." I forget where I had placed it.
"Here," he hands it to me. "I hung it yesterday." I remember now, when I enterned he had took it.
He walked to the door, grabbed a hat and went outside.
I rampaged through the bag, found a few things and a red hair brush.
I fixed myself up and changed from the burrowed blue pyjamas with small yellow flowers that Oliver had gave me, to the clothes I was wearing when I first awoke here.
I had come to this world in a tight, long-sleeved black shirt, baggy black jeans and red earrings. My jet-black hair was tied with a red ribbon in a ponytail that reached my waist. That, along with my bag.
Oliver was outside, and I did not wish to interrupt him so I left him be. I then ate the hot red pancakes, they were so good that I could kill for just a bite.
I finished the food and washed the plate. Paced around the house then settled to read a book from the bookshelf.
It was a story about two girls and their little brothers going on a camp trip in the woods, they were having a fun time until they found themselves stuck in an altered reality. It takes three-fourth of the book until they finally return. And the point of view is divided upon the characters.
Very interesting.
Half-way through the book I heard the door knob open and Oliver came in, wiped his forehead and took off his hat. He hung it on a shelf.
The short elf then met my eyes, "I see you finished brushing your hair." He smiled and stretched his arms above his head. "Did you like the pancakes?"
"Yes. They were the best thing I ate." I put down the book besides me and smiled, hoping to appear more friendly like the elf. "If you do not mind though, I have a few questions."
"Go ahead, I don't mind your inquiries. In fact, they make me feel smart." He joked, and sat down on a chair.
I asked about how the pancakes were still hot after leaving them for a period of time.
"That's totally normal. Nothing some magic can't do." He yawned. Now that I think about it, he looks quite tired.
"Amazing." I marveled, magic never fails to amaze me. "Second question, what were you doing outside?"
"Tending to my garden. You can take a look at it. It's pretty." He said proudly.
"I am sure it is."
"Anymore questions?" He tilted his head, his short blue hair falling to the side.
"No."
He stood up, "Ok then. I better go wash up after staying so long under the gaze of the hot sun." He left to the wash room.
"By the way," he turned to meet my eyes. "I'll be taking a nap after washing up, feel free to do whatever you want in the cottage, just don't break or mess anything up. And if you'd like to explore the forest don't wander off too far." He made me feel like he was talking to a child.
"Do not worry about me. I can manage on my own." I reassured him.
For the next hour and a half I continued the book I started then switched to another one. It was about magic this time. I learned some useful stuff, the spell to turn people into Frops, basically cute pink frogs with fairy wings. (the only type of frogs in this part of the world), potion to increase the growth of plants, how to summon an Axolotl using a triangular chip, et cetra.
And before I knew it, I was done with the second book today. I loved the books here, they were so interesting and quite the pleasure to read.
"Do you like reading?" A soft and slightly cheerful voice made me jolt in surprise.
Glancing up from the book, my eyes meet a certain blue-haired elf.
"Yes," I reply, looking at the book then at Oliver. "Your books are very nice."
"Well, I'm very glad you like 'em. I'll be in my workspace organising this week's second package."
"This week's package?"
"Yes, I make healing potions and plant herbs used in remedies. I package them and sell them in the village. Crystal falls, its the village at the end of the forest. Two hours from here." He answered all my questions before I even ask them.
Our relationship was progressing nicely. He made a great friend and guide.
"Can I take a look? I will not touch with anything." I promise.
He giggled, "I'm not worried about that. Sure, you can take a look."
I follow him to a room, it is dark until he lits a candle. Immediately, all the candles in the room light up to reveal shelves full of saplings of different kinds of herbs and potion vials. A wooden desk with a lamp, it was containing glowing insects, (when I asked Oliver he said he releases them after two days and gathers some later), a stack of books, some writing utensils and a cup of water.
A bunch of boxes lay in the corner of the room. They were open and empty.
Oliver was in the middle of the room laying on the floor, sealing a box. He then goes to his desk and opens a drawer, getting a packet of stickers out of it. He sticks the green sticker on top of the box and pulls it to the side. Gathering some dried leaves and crushing them, the earth elf drops them in a jar and seals it. Also adding a sticker on top. Then he puts it with a couple of more jars in a bag. The process goes on for some time.
He stretches his arms and groans, "There we go! I'm done packing."
"Do you do this twice every week? It must be tiring."
"It is tiring, but I have to. It's my job, and I'm dedicated to it." The short boy takes a piece of paper, writes down an address and places it in one of the pockets of the bag.
He carries two bags outside, I help him and carry the box. It is quite heavy, but I can still lift it.
We place the packages on the table.
"Thank you." He smiles, looking exhausted.
"You are welcome." I smile softly.
"I should get ready to head to the village. Would you like to stay here for a few hours or tag along?"
"You are going to the village? Is it not two hours from here."
"I usually only make the trip once a week, but earlier this morning while you were asleep I got a mail indicating that the post-lady is sick. She is usually the one delivering the second package."
"I see...." I gave it some thought and came up with an idea. "How about I make the trip?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." I said firmly, "You look quite tired and exhausted. Just tell me the directions and who to give the package to and you can consider it done." I was not going to let my very generous host tire himself. He had already done a lot to me and I owed him.
"You won't let me do the trip, will you?" He asked amusingly.
"No, I will not."
"Very well."
He gave me directions to the village, packed some sandwiches and tea and placed them in one of the bags, gave me a nice pair of shoes and a short sword.
"Why the weapon?" I had asked.
"For self-defense. You never know when a wild animal attacks." He had explained.
I place the two bags on my back and go to carry the box. "There'll be no need for that." He takes a long, glowing piece of paper out of his pocket and writes something on it. Placing it on the box, it shrinks to the size of an egg.
I stare dumbfoundedly and the elf giggles. 'C'mon, you're gonna be late." He nags, giving me the small box.
I place it in my pocket and bid him farewell.
"I will see you later, Oliver. Make sure you rest well."
"Good luck, Adrienne. Don't worry, I'll take a rest and prepare a nice and warm meal for you when you return."
My mouth waters at the thought, Oliver made delicious food.
And so begins my little journey to the village. I turn away from the cottage in the woods and begin walking.