Chapter 2

Water dripping from the ceiling of the cave, Anabel sat up. She didn’t know why she felt safe in the cave, but it was the only thing she had to go on. She was starving but didn’t know if she could hunt, she would try when the rain stopped.

Walking over to the door of the cave, she watched as the rain continued, she wanted to go into the rain, but she was afraid of what might be out there. She didn’t know if this was her world, or if she knew anyone there.

“You are confused aren’t you?” a man appeared near Anabel.

Anabel turned around, her heart jumped into her throat. “Who are you?” she said shaking her head. “I’m not confused, I am just lost.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?” he said taking a step towards her. “My name is Eddie; do you want to have something to eat?”

“Um no thank you, I will find my food.” She said shaking her head.

He lit the fire with some magic. “Here why don’t you come over here and get warm.” He said gesturing for her to walk over to him. “I promise I am not going to hurt you, if you want I can even leave and come back inside when you feel less scared of me?” he said walking out into the rain.

“No, no,” she said shaking her head. “It’s okay please come out of the rain.” She said walking over to the fire, Eddie followed her. “I am Anabel that is the only thing I can remember which is weird.” She said trying to make her memory come back. “I must have fallen or something, I woke up here.” She said looking around the cave.

“So you are not a slave demon then?” he said half smiling. “Well that is good, otherwise they will find you here whether you want them to or not.” He said shaking his head. “I had to hide a few times, the Angels like to come and wipe some of the demons out just so we’re not overpopulating them or something.”

“I still do not understand anything you’re saying.” She said shaking her head in confusion “I am drawn to this place for some reason, it’s like my soul made an instant connection and now I am here.” She said shrugging her shoulders.

“Well that is an interesting story, you have to watch out for demon patrols too, they like to take us in as slaves, and since no one knows who we are they figured they wouldn’t miss us anyways.” He said summoning some kind of food. “I know you are hungry, I brought this from the market, if you want to share with me I’d love to have a meal with you.” He said handing her half of his bread.

“Thanks, I’ve been hungry for a while. I am scared to go into the rain, who knows what is out there.” She said taking a bite of the bread. “Is the market far, I mean we can go there and get some more food right?” she said taking another bite.

“I didn’t think you’d want to steal from there, but yes we can go there.” He said taking a bite of his food. “The market isn’t that far, but it’s about a day’s walk here or so.”

“Good, maybe we can go if this rain stops.” She said shaking her head. “I want to get some clothes too, these rags aren’t going to last much longer.” She said looking down at her dirty robe.

“We’re going to have to go in the rain if you want to get some more food like this.” He said finishing the last of his. “They make the best in the morning, so we’ll get there around the fresh stuff comes around, tomorrow is a laundry so it should be pretty easy to get some food too.” He said getting up from the fire. “The rain is letting up a little; we can go now if you’re up to walking now.”

“Well alright.” She said eating the last of hers and following him into the rain. “So are you from around here?”

“No I’ve traveled a few realms, what about you?” he said looking at her. “You look kind of out of place being here. So I’m guessing you’re not from here either.”

“I don’t know.” She said shaking her head. “I’ve lost all of my memories except my name, and that I am lost.” She said looking away from him. “I’m hoping something about this place reminds me of where I’m from; you said realms, what exactly is that?”

“Man are you lost.” He giggled. “Well how do I explain something without you experiencing it?” he said shaking his head. “Just pretend there are other worlds that you cannot see but they are there. They are like pockets of the earth is the best way to explain it I guess.”

“Well, that makes sense I guess. Well so we’re on earth that is good, what else can you tell me about this realm?” she said looking around.

“Well this is the plague land, it’s supposedly owned and operated by Marcus.” He said shrugging his shoulders. “I’m not even sure I believe a Marcus runs this, it’s an empty realm really, all except maybe a few hundred demons retreating from the Angels.”

“Hm,” Anabel said shaking her head. “I have a memory or something, maybe I am thinking too hard, but I remember helping a man named Marcus, and then running away from him, he didn’t chase me so I don’t know.” She said shaking her head. “I think my mind is fried, I hate feeling like I am missing everything.”

“Maybe you two know each other, maybe you are like his pet or something. Maybe he’ll come looking for you and he can answer things. If he doesn’t come for you, then maybe you should just live among the people, you can travel with me at least until you find your way.”

“Thanks, but I think I have to stay here at least until I don’t feel connected like someone is searching for me.” She said shaking her head. “I probably just have to wait for a little while, maybe he or she will find me. I have a feeling we made some kind of arrangement with that cave you found me.”

“Well, the offer is always open.” He said shaking his head. “I would stay here, but there isn’t any trade here, I can’t make any gold.”

“Ah okay, well you can hang out in my cave until you decide you want to leave if you want.” She half-smiled at him.

“Thanks.”

They walked for a while before they stopped to rest for the night; they would walk the rest of the way there in the morning. They should arrive right before the sun comes up, and right around the time, they delivered the bread.

Anabel didn’t say anything; they ate and went to sleep. They had an early morning; Anabel couldn’t wait to get food and some different clothes.

Morning peaked around, Peter woke Anabel up and they were on their way to the small town. “I can’t wait to see what this place looks like; I wonder if they have any place I can stay rather than the cave,” Anabel said shaking her head.

“If you’re going to steal from the village I wouldn’t be going in there asking them for a place to stay.” He said shaking his head. “Look there it is!” he said pointing at a small village that had a big fire going in the middle, some villagers walking around.

“So this is it?” Anabel said walking into the village. She wanted to see what it looked like before she found the food and the clothes.

“Yeah, this is it.” He said stepping over a bag of wheat. “Come on I will show you around and you can get your clothes, once we’re done there I think we should get our food and run for the forest, they are fast and they don’t take kindly to thieves.” He said shaking his head. He helped Anabel step over the food that stood in their way.

Anabel walked around and looked at the people; they stared at her but didn’t say anything to her. Pete grabbed a few things from the lady near the back of the village. “Here.” He said handing her the robes. “I would put this one on first.” He said helping her out of the wet and dirty robe. Once she was dressed they walked around the village for a little while longer.

“Oh no!” Pete said shaking his head. “Marcus and Dremis are here!” he said pulling Anabel away from where they were coming from. “We have to hide if they find us here they are going to capture and kill us.” He said ducking behind another building.

“Who are they again?” Anabel asked confused.

“That’s the ruler of this realm, apparently he had a child that is Elijah, and his right-hand man Dremis.” He said shaking his head. “I don’t think we should be talking, we should be hiding.”

“Yes, you should be hiding!” Dremis growled grabbing Pete. “Ah Anabel!” he said smiling at her. “We’ve been looking for you for some time.”

Anabel turn to run away, she ran into Marcus. “Anabel?” he said shaking his head. “Oh my God, Anabel.” He said wrapping his arms around her.