17 Real or Nightmare

Michael's POV

I was furious and confused. I couldn't believe she went through all that trouble just because she had a crush on me. From stalking me to my sister's grave to coming off with that ridiculous theory of Goblins and key, all of that just to trick me? I mean, what kind of idiot would believe such ridiculous theories? Right, I almost did, given how I spent hours researching goblins instead of studying for MCAT. Why was I being such an idiot? Why didn't I think she was saying all of this simply because she had a crush on me?

Thanks to my looks I wasn't unfamiliar with smitten girls coming after me with various excuses to be with me. I have always successfully pushed them away, until this one came along. I glared at her in the beginning and would have loved to not look at her at all, except her face was far better than the disgusting PDA going on right next to me.

When she nitpicked on my eating habits I couldn't help but feel uneasy. As an aspiring doctor health has always been my primary concern, be it mine or others. In fact, if I don't take care of my own health how can I expect someone else to? When she mentioned she came from a far away why am I saying goblins again? I do not believe in that ridiculous logic.

When Linda insisted walking back, for the first time I wished I didn't have to. Usually I prefer a nice night stroll to help churn the food sitting peacefully in my stomach, but walking with three more people was too much, not to mention all that abrupt heavy kisses I was forced to be a witness of. 

The things started to turn horrifying from disgusting soon enough.When a tiny puppy (should I even call it that?) approached us, it made me eerie. The emanating glow and the blazing red eyes did not help its presence. Were puppies supposed to do that? I wonder. Ever since I was young, animals were not my strong suit, and certainly not a creature whom I have never ever encountered in my entire life, not even while flipping pages through a magazine or on Animal planet. As if that was not enough we also started to float in the air as if gravity ceased to exist on earth at that very moment. I was beyond terrified what was going on, but I knew I wasn't the only one given Jake's and Linda's reaction. I wasn't even sure it was real or some part of a long, long nightmare.

"Quick, give me your hand!" A command from the goblin princess caught my attention. I abided without any hesitation, not having much to do while afloat. Even if I had trouble believing all her nonsense, I have witnessed her being good with animals. It's not like I knew any other way, I might as well give it a shot. I was a bit embarrassed when our hands touched, not just because of the tiny tingling sensation I felt in my hand (must be another goblin stuff!) but also due to the sweat that was all over my palm.

The moment our hands met we descended down to earth, leaving Jake and Linda behind. They were even more surprised than before at the turn of events, and as much as I would like to help them, we had a dog-like creature to worry about. Cassie started to chirp with that thing while it chirped back at it. It was like the woods all over again, her talking with animals in their own language. If I wanted to watch animals and people talk I could have simply streamed Mowgli:The Jungle Boy. Why do I have to be stuck in this situation? I groaned internally.

When Jake and Linda finally landed on the land I sighed with relief.I was waiting for the moment she will make that tiny thing go away, but to my horror she only invited Linda to pet it. Oh God did I feel lucky that I was not Linda right now, and the momentary look of pure horror on her face made me feel a little bad for her. Maintaining her composure she decided to try it and soon smiled when the animal enjoyed her petting. Should I give that a try to? I wondered. Given my history with real animals, it's better not to try my luck with a mythical one.

For some reason when that animal looked at me, I could feel as if it wanted to eat me or something. It might look cute, but his stare was nerve-wrecking. I tried my best to maintain my composure, but I was this close to peeing in my pants. How come Linda accepted it so easily? She was a human too, right? I have seen a lot of crazy girls, but seeing this too I might have to redefine my definition of crazy.

That animal was perched on Cassie's left shoulder now, while she held my left hand tightly so that she could continue to keep talking to her. For countless amounts of times I just wanted to snatch my hand away and run away, but I guess Cassie needed to hold my hand, which in turn gave her the ability to communicate with it. Not to mention, her hold on my hand was pretty strong at this moment, as if she was worried I would let go and she would be back to being a regular human.

I wanted to ask her why she was not shooing it away, but I wasn't sure if asking that would be a situation appropriate. She clearly seemed reluctant to explain so I doubt I would get any real answers from her. For now I will just wait to see what explanation Sofosys gives them, and maybe save any questions, comments or sensible arguments later.