Chapter 2

Before he knew it he was walking up a steep hill toward the nearest town. Union soldiers that passed yelled out words of praise him. He searched for his friends in the crowd and quickly spotted one. He ran to her and held her tight.

" I thought you were dead," she sobbed into his blue uniform.

" I'm alright," he suddenly lowered his voice. " Do you know how we got here?"

" No but I told the family that I'm staying with, that my name is Nicole and I had lost my family in a house fire when I was twelve. Ever since I have been looking for a nice family to live with."

" I am using the name is Andrew Nelson, alright?"

" Alright."

" Do you know where Astald is?"

" She is going by the name Melissa and is living with a family and studying to become a nurse. She is right over there talking to that young man." Nicole told him. As Andrew turned Nicole said. " Ohtar, I mean Andrew, be careful what you say around these people."

" I will," he turned back around bent over and kissed her on the cheek. Then he walked toward the girl who called herself Melissa. As he approached he heard her talking to someone about the battle.

" Even though I saw it," the boy exclaimed. " I can't believe anyone can move that fast and not get shot."

" I know him," Melissa replied. " And I've seen him do that before." Melissa turned around as Andrew approached. " And here he is now." Melissa said with confidence in her voice.

" Hello," the boy said coldly looking from Andrew to Melissa. He was angry with Andrew for butting in on his conversation.

" Johnny this is . . ." Melissa paused not know what to call him.

" Andrew, Andrew Nelson," he said reaching out his hand in reply. Johnny grasped it firmly.

" Andrew Johnny is the son of the lady I am studying with." Melissa said then turned to Johnny. " Johnny this is the man who killed all of those Confederates."

Johnny acted unimpressed by what Andrew had done. Just as Johnny was going to grab Melissa's hand Andrew grabbed it first.

" I need to talk to you,' Andrew said pulling Melissa away from Johnny.

" What's the matter?" Melissa asked looking back at a confused looking Johnny.

" We need too find a way out of here."

" I know, I have been staying with a family in Ohio and have trying to find a way back."

" I'm training there," Andrew said. " And Nicole lives there too."

" How can we meet?" Melissa asked.

" You both can sign up with the other nurses that help in the army." Andrew suggested.

" Alright, why don't you tell Nicole and I'll to tell Johnny."

" Why do you have to tell him anything?"

" Because he will probably follow me if I don't tell him where I'm going. Then he will find out our secret. Can you imagine what chaos that will bring!"

'" Fine you tell Johnny and I will tell Nicole."

" Bye!" Melissa said over her shoulder as he walked away. ' We will need major help just to find out where we came out of our world and into this one. I don't think that any of us remember, all I remember is that I was in a forest. There are probably a thousand forests in this country.' Melissa thought as she walked toward Johnny.

" What was that all about?" Johnny asked as he glared at Andrew walking away.

" We are old friends, we just had to catch up because we haven't seen each other in a while." Melissa explained.

" Oh." Johnny said still angry.

" Johnny we are only friends." Melissa said lifting up his pale chin. Johnny didn't answer but instead leaned over and kissed her. " What was that for?" Melissa said turning pink.

" I have been wanting to do that for a long time ever since I met you." Johnny said cupping her hands. " There was something about you that drew me toward you." Melissa was speechless. " I want you to meet my friends." Johnny pulled her over to a group of boys talking about the battle that just taken place. A tall lean kid was arguing with a plump boy about who had killed all those rebels.

" Hey!" Johnny yelled just to be heard over the argument.

" Oh, hey Johnny." The lean boy answered. " Who's that?"

" This is Melissa. My mom is teaching her to be a nurse. Melissa, this is Timothy," he pointed to the tall boy. " George, Thomas, Richard and Ethan." George was the plump boy that Timothy had been arguing with.

" Hello," Melissa replied tapping Johnny on the shoulder. " Johnny," she said. " I need to talk to you in private."

" Alright." Johnny said telling his friends that he would be right back. He brought her to an open space where no one was close enough to hear.

" Johnny, I'm going to join the army and become a nurse."

" What? You could get killed! I will not let you do that!"

" I must go!" Melissa pleaded.

" If you are going to join the army then I will too. I don't want you to get hurt."

" No, I will be alright. Andrew will be there. It's not like I will be in battle."

" I don't trust that guy. I am coming and that's final." Johnny said raising his voice.

" I care about you Johnny and I don't want you to get killed."

" I won't." Johnny gave her a kiss on the cheek and walked toward a group of army soldiers.