Sorry, didn't expect to have to go into work early and that ate up all my writing time. So short one, but I'll make up for it on Friday.
Bonus points to anyone who can identify the person in this chapter (no cheating!).
The last chapter has quite a few errors, I will get to them in the next day or so. I apologize for them now.
Thank you for the reviews, and enjoy!
Chapter 20
"Keep walking, follow the darker grass, you will find a dirt path. Follow that, it will eventually lead you to a fork."
"Which do I take?"
"You must make that decision for yourself."
"How, I don't know where they lead..."
"That is a choice you must make."
"Can't I take the train?"
"No."
"Why?"
"The train will not come unless someone summons it."
"And you won't call it?"
"I'm not eating you, isn't that enough favors for the day?"
"How will I know the right direction?"
"How will I know?"
Was this the fork in the road?
She had been walking for hours, the No-Face close on her heels. The sun had passed over head and was sinking to the distance.
Thankfully, the tall grass had sheltered them most of the day, until a few hours ago, when they emerged to a road that was surrounded by...nothing. Dirt, in all directions, but there was a worn path, which they followed.
Now they stood at what could be considered a fork in the road. The well worn path continued to the right, but to her left, a much less worn brick path arose.
She looked to the No-Face.
"Which should we take?" She watched the No-Face move toward the well worn path, take a few steps, then retreat toward the brick path. He pointed a shadowy arm down the path, making small noises.
She took a few steps toward the well-worn path.
It would make sense to head this direction, obviously many people had headed this way. It had to lead somewhere.
She glanced at the brick path, noticing the little weeds that grew between the cracks.
"Are you sure?" She asked.
The No-Face nodded again, motioning down the brick path.
She frowned.
"You know what they say about the road less traveled, don't you?" The demon seemed not to care about her anecdote.
He just headed down the path with a look back to see if she was following.
With a sigh, she yelled at him to slow down, to wait for her.
Surprisingly, the brick path had led to a massive temple, covered in vines and stretching out as far as she could see.
They were ruins to be sure, not some place that was visited often, or at all.
One of the stone turrets was gone, and a whole building was nothing but supporting pillars at this point.
But it felt holy.
She felt like it was peaceful and that she was being looked after.
"We'll stop here for the night." She ignored the No-Face's frown, leaving the brick path, and wadding hip deep into the overgrown vegetation.
The main steps were still strong, showing little wear when she expected them to shift under foot. They felt as solid as if they had just been laid.
There was no door to prevent her from entering, nothing covering the small window openings, and there was a whole in the ceiling at the far end of the main room. She could see the last of the sunlight streaming through.
She took a deep breath, inhaling the musky smell of stone and dirt and the sweet smell of decay.
The floors were void of any old furnishings; in fact, there was nothing in here, no wood dais, no tapestries, not even debris from the out side world.
It looked as if the place had been swept clean.
She walked as quietly as she could to the large statue of the God this place was build for. She knew not who it was, a woman perhaps, but the stone was nearly worn clean of any features.
It took her a moment to see what was placed at the statues feet.
She had originally thought it was just some grass and leaves what had been blown in by the wind, but upon further inspection, she found a bunch of fresh picked wild flowers.
She shot to a standing position, turning to face the entrance that hadn't seemed so far away just moments ago.
The No-Face wasn't anywhere.
With cursory look around, hurried to leave, making it as far as the front steps, nearly passing the person.
She stopped dead staring at the brick path. That too seemed much farther than she had recalled walking. The No-Face was pacing on the path, rubbing it's arms together.
She swallowed, turning slowly to face the stranger.
Was it a woman? She couldn't say, not that it mattered much.
The figure was slight, with a shaved head, wrapped in orange robes. The person had a soft smile on their face, but again, that meant little.
They bowed lightly, and on reflex, she returned the greeting.
The figure angled toward the brick path.
"You're demon, it can not enter here." The person turned back to her. "Only the good can enter here."
The words sounded wrong to her, like the person was speaking another language, and she understood, but she didn't know how.
"He isn't bad." She whispered.
The person smiled lightly again.
"He was made for ill, if he was truly reformed, he would not continue to exist." The person said calmly, clasping their hands together.
Suzume turned back to the temple.
"Who are you? What is this place?" She asked.
"I am Bhikkhuni Dhammananda. This a temple dedicated to many. Who are you?" The person tilted their head, examining her. Their eyes lingered on her burned arm.
"It looks as if you have been through quite a struggle."
She subconsciously tucked her arm closer to her body.
"My name is..." She had to think on it for a moment. "Chīsana suzume." She'd almost forgotten. How had she almost forgotten?!
The person shook their head slowly.
"You are hiding behind a false name, do you remember who you are?" Suzume startled, staring at the person.
The person made no moves, just watched her.
She didn't know how to respond. What could she say to that? Did she remember who she was? What was there to remember? She shook her head. When she looked up again, the person was walking back into the temple.
She rubbed at her eyes, sure she was seeing something.
"Feel free to rest here as long as you need, you are safe within these walls." The person was fading.
Slowly, Suzume was able to see the huge statue through their body.
Fear welled in her, watching this person disappear.
They were gone before she could find her voice.
She walked out to the path, standing next to the No-Face.
The sense of serenity fell away from her as she stepped out of the grass, and she immediately missed it. Her body instantly felt more weary, tired and heavy.
She sat down, feeling the warmth of the bricks against her legs.
She'd forgotten how much she ached.
Holding her head in her hand, she sat there for some minutes, just wanting to collect herself. The No-Face hovered over her precariously, nearly engulfing her in his body.
A vicious crack over head startled her, causing her to fall to her side.
"It's just thunder!" She scolded herself.
Did she want to be outside when it started raining? Even if there were no doors, or windows, the dilapidated temple did offer more protection from the sun and rain.
And the person did say she would be safe there.
"Can people who disappear be trusted though?" Another deafening crack brought her to her feet.
"Guess there's one way to find out. Sorry No-Face, but the water goes right through you."
So 48 hours till the next chapter? Why did I think this would be a cake walk? It actually kind of sucks... Anyhow, thanks for reading!