Chapter Nine: Outside and Trapped

"Is she alive?"

"Of course she's alive, Scott. She's breathing."

"Just because you're breathing doesn't mean you're alive," The first voice argued. "Oh, and call me 'Scar'."

"That's literally the dumbest nickname I've ever heard," The second voice argued, implying he was rolling his eyes. "You got that from jumping off a roof."

Alex blinked hard, opening her eyes and looking upwards. She was lying on her back on the spongy forest floor. It was a spruce forest, so the pine needles created a soft mattress on the ground, cushioning her aching body. Light shone downwards brightly, making the bright green ferns practically shine with light. Moss draped over the branches of the trees, creating a light, lovely canopy. Alex felt calm and warm in the bright, lovely forest.

Then it all came rushing back to her. Steve. Braxon. The arrows, their plans. WHERE WAS SHE? She had to get back to them! She had to warn them!

Groaning, Alex looked up and tried to force herself to stand with a groan.

Two boys presumably the owners of the voices, both jumped when they saw her move. They approached her nervously and skittishly, almost afraid of her.

"Who are you?" Alex asked, sitting up and leaning against a lichen-covered boulder. "Where are your parents?"

"I'm Max," The shorter one offered, shoving a book he was holding into his inventory. "And this is my… um… friend, Scott."

The taller boy, Scott, glared at Max. "Well, excuse me. I thought we were closer than that." He glanced at Alex. "I'd prefer if you'd call me Scar, please!"

Alex stifled an eye roll. "Where are we?"

"A giant spruce taiga, currently," Max answered, glancing around them. "Does that answer your questions?"

"Not quite," Alex gently grabbed a stick and pulled herself to her feet, using the stick to steady herself. "Are there any adults around?"

"Why, are we not mature enough?" Scott snickered. Alex and Max glared at him. "WHAT?!" Scott exclaimed, offended. "I'm allowed to make jokes, aren't I?"

"Just…," Max sighed. "Our families camped at the top of the hills. Do you think you could make it?"

Alex nodded, following Max as he led the way uphill, past fox dens and rabbits, towards smoke on the horizon. The camp was close.

Scott walked beside Alex. "So, Miss, where did you come from?"

"My name is Alex," Alex answered, glancing at the shaggy, black haired boy beside her. He watched her with big dark eyes. Scott… somewhat resembed Steve, however. Maybe it was his head shape. Maybe it was the way they talked. Max had smaller, indigo eyes like Steve. Maybe Alex was just homesick or missing her husband. "And I… think I was kidnapped."

"That's not good," Max looked over his shoulder at them. "But I think Scott's dad can help."

"He… can?" Alex asked, glancing at Scott. "How?"

"My. Name. Is. Scar," Scott corrected. "And yeah. My dad is head anyone could help it's him."

"Head… blacksmith?" Alex's head was spinning with all this new information. What was their society like compared to her family's?

"Yeah," Scott answered. "It's easier to explain if you meet him."

When they reached the top of the hill, ALex was amazed by the ingenuity of the people there. The mountain had been flattened and cleared of most of the trees. A large fire pit sat in the center of the camp, at least the size of four or five standard campfires. Around it sat exactly six large tents, made from wool and spruce wood. They were 'held up' with fence posts, and a few of them had chickens on leads under the earth to give the impression of a rope on a stake holding up the tent. Peering inside one, Alex saw a child sitting on the grey carpeted interior, beside a bed inlaid in the floor. He was playing with a plush rabbit hide, laughing. His older sister (the girl was far too young to be his mother) was reading on another bed, watching him sometimes.

Walking past the tents, Alex followed Max and Scott down a steep path on the side of the mountain, and into an open-air cave filled with furnaces, blast furnaces, Iron Ore, Gold ore, and too much stone and wood to count.

Scott sauntered up to a man resembling him and held out a fist. "Yo, dad!"

The man bumped his fist against Scott's. Alex smiled slightly at the interaction. Scott's father looked vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place it. He removed the helmet he was wearing and looked over at her. "Is this the new recruit?"

"New recruit?" Max asked, looking confused.

"No, we found her in the woods," Scott shrugged. "You didn't tell us about-"

"I know, I know," Scott's father cut him off. That's when Alex realized why he was so familiar. He looked kind of like… Entity 303? Her human form, at least. "Pleased to meet you, I'm Carlos Lark."

"It's a pleasure, Mr. Lark," Alex answered, shaking his outstretched hand. "The boys found me in the forest about a kilometer from here. I… I need help."

Carlos waved off the boys, but they stayed nearby. "Plausible. If you turned up in a forest, it appears you may need our help. What do you need?"

"I need directions to Dragon's Horns Mountain," Alex answered. "I got seperated from my husband, and I fear he's in danger."

Carlos pursed his lips. "I see. It may take me a day or so to set up a travelling party, however."

"Oh, that's not necessary," Alex answered with a small laugh. "All I need is to be pointed in the right direction."

Carlos shook his head. "Absolutely not. The way to Dragon's Horns Mountain goes straight through Illiger territory. They have one of their creepy haunted mansions on the way. It's a death sentence to go alone."

"I… understand," Alex answered sadly. "Thank you for your help. Is there any way I could repay you?"

"Actually," Carlos sighed. "Could you keep track of Scott and Max for the afternoon. I'm worried they'll accidentally get eaten by zombies, or attacked by wolves, or… you get the point."

"Of course," Alex nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Lark."

"Call me Carlos!" He laughed, turning back to the forge while Alex left the building with a sigh. It wasn't perfect, but she had a plan now. Everything was going to be okay.

Hang on, Steve. She thought. I'm coming.

Review Replies:

JimmyPenguin421: The next chapter is titled 'DATE NIGHT!' so yeah, worry is valid XD.

Moatazabou4: I know, I know. I had to take some liberties, alright? Also, I do know that about hoes. The thing is, Elli isn't familiar with weaponry. She doesn't know that.

Elbert The Cookie: Not evil… just an idiot. And I'm glad you're enjoying this!

ScarOfHerobrine: Grand entrance has commenced!

Ayannamichaeli: Always a good idea!