Chapter 6

After refusing to answer any of their question until we got there, the air around us has seemed tense. If they knew what I planned they would ask for an explanation, and I haven't figured out one that would make sense to them, at the moment anyway.

Liz is refusing to speak to me because I am keeping things from her, and Arisa is ignoring me all together. I feel bad, I do, but sometimes I just don't know what to say. It won't come out the way I want it to if I just tell them willy-nilly.

"Hey Liz come on...." Only silence was her reply. "Liz come on, by now you should know I would never leave you astray...." Hopefully, this won't be the first time. To be honest, I am not so sure of this plan of mine either. All I have now is the hope that it works.

She looked to me. Her face said she knew it, but she was still mad. Arisa didn't even glance my way. I sighed. I just can't win.

Slowly as we continued on the snow began to dwindle. It went from knee deep to ankle deep to a thin sheet barely covering the surface. Now we seemed to be walking on a field full of grass, it could have passed as a meadow had it not been for all the trees. The air was no longer freezing cold, or in my case a nice cool, but it was now so hot I could practically see the heat.

"We should stop at the next place we see so we can change." I gestured to all our coats and boots. Arisa gave I very slight nod and Liz seemed happier now that she had a chance to change. It took a while but eventually we reached the next town over on our way to Areligon. There we decided to spend the night and checked into an inn. We got one room and we went upstairs.

"Only one room?" At long last Arisa finally spoke.

"Yeah, but don't worry, it has two beds, and I am fine on the floor." I didn't want to mention how it was all part of my plan. I would have rather us not spent money here, but I accounted for it.

We took turns showering and changing. Liz was passed out before it was even my turn. It felt good to wash off all the sweat and dirt that had built up in this immense heat. By the time I got out, Arisa was in her bed. I wish I could say she was simply sleeping, but her shoulders were too tense, and her deep breaths seemed exaggerated. She was ignoring me.

Fine if she wants to ignore me, let her. I stepped up to Liz and gave her a kiss on her forehead. I did the same to Arisa, knowing full well she was awake and would know I did it. I hid my smirk in case she turned, and I went to my "bed" on the floor. I hope the morning will bring better things.

"Mark, you have to be careful. Dangers lie ahead." I tried opening my eyes to look for the person, the man, speaking. Darkness was all I found. "There are somethings you need not face if you tread carefully.

~Don't listen to those who want you to hear, listen to those who speak with blood through their hearts and a soul as pure as all the innocence in the world. For if you venture from their path, your death will be your only future.~" with that the voice faded and I was once again able to open my eyes. The voice sounded familiar, like something I've heard long ago.

I felt that my body was covered in a cold sweat, making me shiver. Sighing and getting up, I headed to take another shower. While in there I tried to think back to the dream, but I couldn't seem to remember it anymore. I tried focusing on it more, but an instant pain flooded into my head. Ugh. My head pounded the more I tried to remember. I tried to force it even more... "Mark, you.... Careful... Ahead...." A sharp pain pierced through me. I felt myself scream, but I couldn't feel my body.

"Mark!" There was a pounding on the door. "Mark!" It was Arisa. I erased all in my mind and took deep breaths. Eventually I found myself through the haze. I was on the shower floor on my knees. My hands were holding my head tightly.

"I am fine." I thought I would yell it, but it barely came out as a whisper.

"Mark!" Arisa yelled again still pounding on the door.

I cleared my throat and spoke louder, "I am fine!" I was gasping for air. My body was visibly trembling. Why can't I remember? The pounding on the door ceased, but Arisa was still waiting patiently on the other side of the door. I got up, my knees still weak, and finished up as quick as I could. I dressed and with trembling fingers I opened the door.

"Mark?!? What's wrong are you okay?!" Arisa rushed over and helped me stay upright.

"Yeah, just a headache." I tried reassuring her. She released a sigh of relief.

"Mark you are staying on the bed for the rest of the night."

I shook my head. "No, I can't sleep anymore." I stood up by myself, no longer leaning on her. "I just need to relax a bit." I walked over, more like shuffled over, and sat down in a chair in the corner of the room. Arisa looked warily at me before lying down in her own bed and falling back to sleep. Liz also fell back asleep as soon as I said I was fine.

What was with that dream? It felt all wrong. I looked down at my watch wondering how long it would take us to reach Areligon safely. The glass of my watch cracked. Damn, a bad omen.