Chapter 2: Lost
The world was a blur...
I wasn't quite sure where I was, or what was happening. was I dreaming?
I quickly realized that I was outside, and that I was recently in danger. I sat up, and saw that I was surrounded by trees. It seemed to warm for near winter, and the car and the man inside of it were nowhere to be found. where was I...? My parents must be worried sick by now. Dad was right, I was nothing but spoiled. now all I wanted was to be home. All I wanted to do was apologize and try harder, tell my mom and dad how much I love them.
"Hello?" I said aloud. no answer.
"Hello!? Is anybody there?" Still no answer.
I felt tears spill out of my eyes as I started to sob. "Please! Someone has to be out there!" Dead silence.
It was dark, and there was no way I could find my way home right now. I laid my head on the solid ground and tried to close my eyes. I can't find my way out of here if I'm exhausted. the sounds of the forest made the sleep I got restless through the night...
I could feel the sun of morning on my face, a slight breeze, and... something was poking my back. It was probably a branch or something. I thought. Then I felt something poke my forehead. I opened my eyes, which were met by a pair of bright green eyes staring back at me. I jumped.
"Whoa! Who are you!?" I gasped.
she smiled cheerfully. "I'm Nina, are you lost too?" The girl looked roughly eight years old. she had long golden brown hair, pale skin, and wore a dark green dress with no shoes.
I sighed. "Yeah, I'm lost too." I felt my stomach growl as hunger pains started to surface.
She looked concerned. "You sound hungry... Hey! I know where we can get food!"
I nodded. "That would be great! So, where to?"
she pointed up. I looked up, confused at what she meant. then I saw it. At the top of a very tall tree there were large orange fruits all in a bundle.
"You want me to climb that!?" I exclaimed.
She smiled innocently. "Well, how else are we going to get up there?"
I gave a forlorn sigh. "Alright, be back in five."
I spent the first two tries attempting to find a foothold. Every time I would give a go at climbing this god-forsaken tree I would fall. well, two scrapes, three nasty blisters, and two humiliating falls later, I was finally making progress. I edged my way up this terrible tree, and the fruits were right in front of me now... just a little further...
I had almost managed to snag a fruit, when a certain Nina grew wings and snatched them all up.
I wasn't really shocked she had spawned just wings, no. at the moment I was pissed because I had just climbed that tree for nothing.
"What was that!?" I yelled.
"That? That was free entertainment." She laughed. "But I have to hand it to you, you're pretty tough. grit and determination will serve you well here."
I was suspicious of her now. "Wait, why do I have the feeling you aren't as young as you appear?"
She grinned. "Perceptive I see." Her form changed from that of a young girl, to a fully grown woman.
I edged my way down the tree. "So who are you really?" I asked.
"I already told you, I'm Nina." She said. "I have a camp nearby, so help me carry some of this fruit."
My arms and legs were still jello from the miserable climb up the tree. "...Fine, I'll help you." I scooped up an armful of fruit and carried it back to her campsite. It was about a five minute walk. When we arrived at camp, a little girl who looked about four or five ran up to Nina and hugged her.
"Sissy! Sissy! You're home, I missed you."
Nina smiled warmly. "I missed you too Haruka."
Haruka looked at me and beamed. "Sissy, you brought a friend!? Will she stay for lunch?"
Nina laughed. "Yes, she will be staying with us for a little while."
Haruka threw her arms up. "Yay! I'll go right now and get some water ready. I'll be back when I'm done!" and like that she was off.
"Does she always do that?" I asked.
Nina smiled. "Yes, she really does."
we sat down next to the fire. It was so warm, and oddly enough, it reminded me of my room at home, with the warm electric heater. that blue house had really become a home to me... and now I might never see it again.
"So how old are you?" Nina asked.
I shrugged. "Oh, me? I'm sixteen. Why?"
"Wow... you're so young." She said sadly.
"And how old are you?" I asked.
She sighed. "Oh, only about six thousand, give or take a hundred years."
I gaped. "ONLY six thousand!?"
She groaned. "I know, pathetic right?"
"Trust me, I didn't mean it that way." I said.
she shook her head. "It's okay. you don't have to apologize, it's true."
I smacked my palm to my face. "Okay then..."
"So, where were you from?" She asked.
"I live in a nice blue house near Nesshin'na Academy. Me, my mom, and my dad live there together." I felt depression sink in as I spoke.
"But now I might not get to tell them I love them again... I left the house so angry yesterday, and I wish I could apologize to them and tell them I'm okay. All I ever did was complain! I'm sorry!" Nina put a hand on my shoulder as I cried.
"I'm sure they wouldn't want you to down on yourself, It will all be-" We heard Haruka scream in the distance.
"Was that Haruka!?" I said.
Nina stood. "I think so! I heard it from over here."
I followed her as we frantically searched for Haruka. our venture brought us to a clearing near a pond, and Haruka was standing in front of it staring at us blank faced.
"We found her." I said with relief.
Nina froze. "You need to run." she said.
"What are you talking about? she's-"
Nina cut me off. "Get out of here NOW!"
By the time she said it, it was already too late. Haruka changed from a small girl to a vicious beast, and pounced on me, knocking me to the ground. I remembered the sharp pain of the Metallic claws in my back as I lost consciousness.
