After the nightmare forest, we accompanied eachother through another one. This time , we learned how to hunt, set traps or fish and pick good fruits out of bad ones. For better or for worse, we had to do it. Mostly him though.
We had already visited several villages and my knowledge about this world had steadily increased. Doctor Sue even offered to teach me. As embarrassing as it is, I, who was literate before became illiterate here.
Right now, we are both sitting on a log with my legs dangling as I swayed it back and forth. My mind wandered , my eyes blurred and hazy thoughts formed slowly as I connected the dots to eachother.
"That's Right!!!", I exclaimed ecstatic at the realization. Doctor Sue glared at my sudden outburst, his head shaking lightly and he frowned. I mouthed an apology and sat obediently on the log once more. I couldn't care less about my surroundings, my mind simply wandered into a deep contemplation.
You see, 2 days ago I saw something huge and thought it was familiar but I just realized why, right now.
I am still not used to a lot of things but at least I don't scream when I find strange things. Of course , more than once I was scolded because of all my screaming.
I mean-- Have you ever seen a fish that flies? Or, a flying fish large enough to flatten you with its belly?
I was frightened alright! Liz quoted.
I still remember the first time , I saw that enormous creature. I was frightened for days.
It was normal day and at night we camped. Under the stars, if it doesn't rain and inside a cave if it does. That day we camped out as usual when morning came I was awakened by a series of alarming tremors.
I sat up abruptly, my consciousness jolted awake, beside me was a sleeping log that wouldn't stir.The land moved as if it was alive and we shook with it. Fear enveloped me as I grabbed the person beside me.
"Wake up! Wake up!"
"5 more minutes," he grumbled as he slipped into covers once again. Get up! I was enraged, I shook him again this time harsher.
If you don't wake up, grass would grow on your grave! I almost cursed him. I shook him while changing into a half kneeling position when the land rumbled one more. This time deep cracks deformed on its surface.
I was speechless, how could anyone still sleep at this moment?
I was deeply considering leaving him there when the trees shook along the crumbling rocks. Then, I saw it. An ear-piercing scream echoed and scared the massive entity until it flew away. This time Doctor Sue was finally roused from his slumber. He looked around blankly, saw that creature and went back to sleep. It was 100 feet tall or rather as big as an medium-sized island.
Though, later he explained that they were called "Narwhals" and are rather friendly. I was still traumatized but he patiently explained that they are rather tame creatures.
During , the time we spent with each other, he finally stopped questioning my common sense and maybe just gave up and accepted that maybe I didn't have one, or I lived under some rock.
Remembering and noting that I lived in the forest, where we met? He became less and less nosy. In any case, when things I don't understand appear, He makes sure to explain it to me to the best of his ability...
"..." , Well , believe it or not.
Exhibit A: A strange glowing purple flowers in the dark. Delicious when the flowers are picked at day, poisonous at night and a medicinal plant when picked at dawn.
Liz: " Wow , cool ! What is this?" ** touching the flower **
Doc Sue: " Oh, that, eat it.It's good"
Liz: " ok!" *eats*
Liz : " SHO GOOODDD!!!"
Later that day.
Liz: " Doc, would you like some? "
Doc:" want what?"
Liz :"The flowers!"
Doc: " WHAT?!wait! did you eat that?@%^ that's poison! Spit! I SAID spit!"
After that was a lot of purging... I feel like I purged the soul out of me.
In any case, this time it was enormous like those whales narrated in distinguished tomes of famous scholars of Eastern settlements. Yet, it awfully had a spear on its forehead--albeit small, it looked like those animals tributes to the emperor before.
That realization made me giddy. Maybe, I could go back. Back, I repeated. I wasn't keen on going back but it sounds so much better than being hungry here.
Perhaps.. if I was as rich as before , I wouldn't be so down like this. Although , the first few days of this newfound freedom was fun.
The longer I experience this poverty, the longer i feel shallow, hollow and hungry.
Oh, wake up Liz, the life you had there wasn't living.
I watched doctor Sue, seriously analyze the map. Even, by the standards of that empire before, he is considered astonishingly handsome . Still, I looked curiously at what he was focusing on and thought to myself , what if I focus on something , too? Something, I want. While, I was busy muling over what I wanted to do from here on after with my life.
Doctor Sue finally finished analyzing that map and drew the routes we could take. I quickly picked myself up and hopped off the log and followed him out the jungle. After being with him for days, I realized he had been avoiding bigger human settlements all this while.
Although, I don't know the real reason.
I think I have an inkling as to why.
.....
We are now taking a path seldom walked on. It is on the periphery of another forest. I couldn't open my map in with a stranger in tow. From that last question about how I'd survive in the nightmare forest, I had been extremely careful not to arouse his suspicions or do anything out of the ordinary with him. But, the strange terrain, doesn't help us either.
Before, I planned to just stay in those villages, we stayed at. But, whenever I woke up the next day, I felt cold all over like I had to continue my journey or else something bad would happen to me.It was just like the feeling , I felt in that castle. I didn't like it one bit. But, if you're powerless, obey, right?
I didn't know what to make out of that but I knew better than to disobey it. I didn't know what to do either.
So, I just followed the doctor around. The agreement of parting ways after finding a place to stay became null.
The doctor didn't seem to mind either but still, I should ask him ,right?
Oh well. I shrugged.
The mountain path looks so peaceful on the surface but in the shadows that linger, whether it is a tiger preying for food or a rabbit hiding for one more day. Only time would tell. Only the divine one knows.
We bought the map from the 3rd village we visited over. He was a nice old man that gave us the only map available, it was old but useful.
His wife even gave us a few coins, she sneaked in our pockets along with other stuff. Apparently, this was a culture of the south especially villages like this that are too close knit.
While, we stayed there. I became really curious. Did he not notice me? But, we still hunt and eat together. He couldn't have forgotten my existence . So, why hadn't he mentioned anything about the agreement we had before. I was sure , he'd bring it up today , since this is 2nd village this month. If I can , I'd really like to appreciate that travelling is quite convenient here if you have the means.
If not , then all those months we have toiled under the sun , the monsters we've met or creatures that bothered us and the SuPeeEr nice people we've met on the road, is your fate.
Understandably.
Still...
I really have to ask, what if he wants me to bring it up?
"Doc, is it still permissible for me to continue our journey ?", I asked. It's been plaguing my mind for quite some time . So, with bated breath I waited for his answer and he looked at me with a blank stare.
He looked genuinely puzzled , as to why I asked that. Like, why are you even asking that ?' Was written all over his face.
I felt exploding on the spot!
And, his next words even made want to murder him right then and there !
" Uh, yeah!", he smiled cluelessly at me.
Atleast, in my perspective , he's got one punchable face.
I sighed, here I was worrying over the fact that he might find me bothersome and now facts prove that he didn't even remember our agreement!
"ha-hahaha--HAHAHAHAHAhaahahaha", it started with a chuckle but once I started I couldn't stop my laughing. My stomach hurts, as I tried to wipe the tears of off my face. In the end, Doc wiped it for me.
He must've been scared witless inside because of me. I don't even know what expression I made when I asked him earlier . Either way, it must've been bad.
He's looking at me with concern. Still, I expected for him to say , ' You can follow me , as long a we don't go near the city' or along those lines but ' uh , yeah' .. ?
pgffft--- HAHAHAHAHAhaahahaha, I feel like laughing again. I covered my mouth as I tried to hold it in.
He looked at me concerned as what looked like I was trying to suffocate myself.
Sometimes, he feels like the perfect description of a golden retriever, other times he's the most the loneliest existence in the world. Or, the dependable older brother.
Sisters would definitely be jealous of me.
Wait, sister?
I?
....
What ? What was I thinking?
Oh , right.
I knew it all to well.
Since, more than once he proved to have problems, I was too knowledgeable of.
After the 2nd village anyway, I was really ready to leave him on his journey but unfortunately, I really had to give it up. The Message became clearer in the 3rd village. Liz helplessy slumped her shoulders just at the thought.
Don't wanna talk about it.
The agreement was that he guided me to the next human settlement in exchange for saving him but had been prolonged since. I realy didn't want to go to an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people. I still have things to do, too. Although, I can't remember, it was apparently important.
Liz uncharateristically clicked her tongue, though that laugh before is also unlady-like and she admits, staying with Doctor Sue was so much better.
Not to mention, the ring I'm carrying is anything but common here. Although that 'woman' briefed me with the common sense here. After, observing for days, I've gathered that even if the thing called magic is normal here and defies all common sense. Mine defies their logic, too.
How great isn't it? The things I brought with me would still get me in trouble.
Pills that could heal all skin injuries.
Some that could regrow arms, legs and limbs but not the head. An ointment that could remove 3rd burn degrees to the way it was before. There was even ointments for 4th and 5th. Even my jumbled common sense can guarantee that what I'm bringing would be more trouble than it's worth.
Cold sweat ran from my head to toes.
Seriously, Why was she so generous?
I noticed it the moment I saw how fast those bruises heal on Doctor Sue when he was injured. Thank God, I met him and had him test those.
Or, else, I'll be blinder than I already am.
"HEY!!!LIZZZ!!!!"
I was lost in thought when I heard him yell my name.
"I'm COMING", I shouted back.
I hopped off the log ,I was balancing on and ran to him who was more than 7 meters away up the hill. I didn't notice he was already far away.
Up the hill, with his arms still raised beckoning to Liz. Sue watched as the little figure dashed to him. His lips curved into a half smile.
These days with the little guy warmed his heart the most.