Chapter 3
Everything ached.
At first, the pain was all I was aware of, but as the seconds ticked by the rest of my senses began to clear. Even as my body throbbed, I saw the clear sky ahead, and felt the blistering rays of the sun. I tried to remember where I was, seeing if I could force the answer out.
But, Gods, it HURT!
Ignoring my protesting body, I rolled over onto my side.
All around me was dusty red rock. Towers of it. The few trees that could be seen were gnarled and barren, their roots somehow finding purchase in hard packed soil. I searched my many years of memory for a location. A canyon, perhaps?
I mentally shook my head.
This was not where I was last, and someone was missing.
"Darlon?" I called. Surprised at how raspy my voice was, I swallowed to moisten my throat and tried again. "Darlon?"
I began to stress when I received no answer.
I rose shakily to my bare feet, in a direct defiance to my screaming muscles. Nothing was broken, but I could feel all the bruises and strained muscles just by breathing. As I took inventory of my injuries, I also discovered several large scratches and a nasty cut above my eye, where the blood had long since dried. With all of it put together, it was almost as if I had been cursed all over again.
I involuntarily shuddered at the memory.
To take my mind off such thoughts, I continued to examine my surroundings and was surprised by what I saw. Nearby in a tattered heap lay my harness as well as the travel bags that had been attached toit. Upon rummaging through the pile I discovered that everything was intact and accounted for, except for what Darlon was carrying with her during our flight.
I flinched as I remembered her fall, and the terror that had shone in those bright eyes of hers. If I hadn't caught her when I did . . .
Enough! I shook my head violently. You caught her. She was fine.
But was she fine now?
I sincerely wished I knew. I tried reaching for her through our link, but was met with a disturbing silence. I frowned. Even when we were too far away for her to actually reach me, I was always able to sense her presence.
I tucked the information away for future investigation. I refused to stress until I had a definite reason to.
"Well," I said, casting a scrutinizing gaze at my surroundings, "I better be on my way."
With that I began to rummage through the pile of supplies, deciding what I would carry with me and what would be left behind.
Author's Note : Yes this is a short chappy on purpose. Just letting you know I'm still alive and no, I haven't abandoned this fic. Happy Holidays people!