Five

Crouching low on my knees between breathy gasps ,I was drawn in by the lights and the people strolling about through what seemed to be a busy market. I shuffled through the crowd whispering apologies here and there as I pushed my way past them. They would never find me the crowd I thought.

I had started to contemplate if this was my world anymore. It felt real and unreal at the same time. Another world filled with supernaturals. Excitement bubbled inside me then it was quickly replaced by anxiety. What if I died here would I still go back home.

The market was bubbling and filled with life, the smell of cooked meat allured my senses, my saliva trickled down from the corner of my bottom lip. As if on cue, my stomach growled, drawing in a few gaze at me.

Shooting apologetic gazes at them I scavenged for where I could get some food. I entered a small restaurant, reading the billboard sign above that read boldly, 'meat and wines'

"I should start here" I muttered to myself.

The diner had mostly men and some robed people who hid their faces sitting on the tables. I took my seat at the corner of the diner room, weary of the men that caught my gaze as I entered. I just wanted food then I would head out.

A girl came to take my order and she had her hair up into two plaited pigtails. And little dotted freckles on her face. With a big welcoming smile she said,

"Hello, the name is Sarah, welcome to meat and wines. What may I get for you" giving me a toothy grin.

I returned the smile, saying "Raven" I answered, staring at the empty table which had only a small jug filled with water in the middle. "What do you offer?" I asked.

She listed different sorts of meat, even animals I hadn't heard of. I was certainly in another world and not in mine.

After making an order she left and I sat drawing circles with my finger on the table as I waited for my food to come. I blew my messy hair which covered a corner of my eye.

The table across from where I sat there was three guys. From the rusty look and dangerous scowl on their faces they weren't good news. They kept turning over to glance at me. I looked away, using my palm to hide a portion of my face. Oh no, please don't come to harrass me. I pleaded, muttering in low whispers to myself.

Sarah dropped my food on the table, I nodded, thanking her in a whispered voice. She gazed curiously at me as she placed the bowls before leaving. Everyone had been looking at me strangely since I escaped the chamber of that man. The sudden thought of him sent shivers down my spine. I needed to hurry and eat if I wanted to leave unnoticed. Or alive.

About to devour the food before me I noticed the tension rise in the room as some people made their entrance. Everyone's voice was reduced to hushed whispers. Curious, I glanced at them. Noticing they had similar clothing to that of those men that guarded the chambers of that man. My eyes widened as I gasped, I covered my mouth, going under the table.

They were here. I could feel my heart thump fast in my chest. I peeked at the entrance and glanced at where they stood. I crawled my way out of the restaurant. Only to be held by the scruff of my neck.

I was yanked away from the floor forcefully to my feet. Sarah had a strong grip on my collar. The warm smile she had before was replaced with menacing glare.

"Where do you think you're going, runt? Think you could leave without paying." Her voice had gone deeper than the last time she talked to me. I gulped, shrinking away.

Shaking my head frantically, "No no, it's not like that" I patted my shorts. Wait, I wasn't wearing shorts from the beginning. I turned to her fuming face. I didn't have money here. Shit.

She had started to gather eyes towards us. But the uniformed guards still talked to the woman at the counter. I wasn't going to wait until they looked this way. Sarah had a firm grip on my collar, her eyes glowered at me.

"I didn't eat the food yet" I said, and she brought me closer to her face.

"You order, you pay. That's the rules. Do we have a problem? Missy." She said slowly. Things were getting heated. And I grew anxious not wanting to get caught by the guards.

A hand dropped on her shoulder from behind. She snapped turning around, "don't you see I am busy" she grunted loudly. An old frail woman stood behind her reaching out into her bag.

"Let go of her, I'll pay." Sarah narrowed her eyes begrudgingly as she was handed her pay. I smoothed my roughened clothes breathing a sign of relief.

Bowing to the old woman, "thank you, you saved me a whole lot." I said gratefully.

She waved me off with a smile." It's given since you aren't from this world." She said,

"How did you know?" I was surprised."Are you some kind of witch around here?" She looked shocked by my words.

"I have been called many things but a witch, that's new" she walked away and I followed. "Where are we going?" I asked, matching her slow short strides.

"You said you want to get back home right." She said calmly.

"Yes" I said, a glint of hope in her words made me set at ease. I could still get home. I thought it would have been next to impossible.

While we walked the people walking about started to disappear and a wall formed around us. We saw ourselves inside a small cottage room.

I was amazed, "you are witch" I confirmed, puzzled by how she took us here.

Candles lit up in the corner on their own. I flinched, scared.

"Now sit down you must be tired" she ushered me to sit. Which I took gratefully.

"You said you know how I could find my way home." I went straight to the point. Watching her pick up two containers she looked my way, "Coffee or tea," she said blatantly, ignoring my question.

"I'm fine, I just want to go back to my normal life. " I was cut off again.

"I guess coffee. You look like you could use one." She disappeared into her kitchen before I could retaliate. I waited for her to get back.

After some minutes she came back out.

"Food is ready." I eyed the plate she had brought hungrily. I wasn't able to eat at the restaurant.

"I think I am fine," I refused with a slight wave. But she was adamant.

"I won't talk until you have finished eating." She said with a smile that didn't seem to fade no matter how persistent I was.

I reluctantly took a bite out of the food she had brought, as soon as the food touched my tongue. I gobbled the rest down in split seconds.

She smiled brighter "Glad you are enjoying it. It is my one-of-a-kind toad and slug soup." I coughed choking on the food I had swallowed. I took the water she had placed beside me. Chugging it down my throat. The sight of the food made me nauseous after finding out its content.

"I think I am full thank you for the meal" I gave her a grateful smile.

She did argue and took the plate away. "It was my pleasure" she beamed at me.

I waited for her to get back from the kitchen. "So about what you said, do you know how I got here?" I brought it up again.

"Yes, you switched dimensions," she said flatly. Can't what the hell dimensions are also real. I thought. My mind was blown to bits by what she said.

"Doesn't that mean there was a soul before I entered this body? Did we exchange bodies?" I asked

"It seems so." She shrugged then continued."The change of souls from different dimensions can be complicated. One could end up dying as a result. In your case, you are fine here. But the latter isn't doing so well."

My stomach knotted at the thought of the possibility, "And if she does die, what happens to me.?" I froze rigid listening to her response.

"You will never go back" she stated. I ran my hands through my hair, trying to shake the fear mixed with anxiety in me. I gripped my fist tightly, taking a deep breath.

I mustered up the courage left in me, giving her a pointed gaze. "What needs to be done then" she nodded.

"We need the emerald gem" she said,

"And how do we get that?" I asked. She laughed at my words. I was confused, until she said in a soft tone. "You are going to get it. It's in the palace. Alpha Lucan's treasure room."

My confidence fell to the floor, "isn't there a way you could assist me." I asked. How does she expect to break back into there when I just broke out? It was absolutely absurd.

She waved me off with a small laugh, "It's simple, once you get the gem the rest will be left to me." She said but it wasn't that simple. I pressed my lips into a tight line thinking hard. He looked like he was going to tear me to shreds. Still, it was the only option I had here. I couldn't refuse. I stood up bringing forth my palm towards her.

"I accept." I half-heartedly agreed with her.

she took my hands tightly into hers. Her squinted eyes brightened with happiness which freaked me out.

"Very well. I will take you back to the alpha's palace." My body felt light and I was all dizzy for a moment. When I got myself I saw the wall of his room surrounding us.