Chapter 50- Map- Arisa
I looked up at the sky. It was turning orange and pink, with a little purple placed randomly in places. It looked like a painting that a little kid might do if he was given only three colors.
I had been traveling for one month without anything strange happening. I didn't run into Davi or the creature that had attacked me in Greece, or any akuma. However, I didn't run into any exorcists either. I had made it all the way to London, and I was at a loss.
I figured that it would be best if I settled down for the night, and let my brain work out a plan on it's own. I started to climb a tree until I found a branch that would support my weight.
I looked in the little bag that I had been given by an old woman to help me in my travels. I sighed as I realized that I only had a few handfuls of berries and half of a sandwich that I had bought earlier that day. I took the sandwich, and started to eat it, leaving the berries for the morning. I wished that I had water, but my flask was empty. I hoped that the next town wasn't too far away, but I had no clue as to where I was, or what direction I was headed in.
"We should rest here," I heard a man say. I looked below me to see a group of men in white outfits with strange boxes on their backs. For some reason, it seemed like I knew what job these men had, but I couldn't bring a name to mind.
"We've gotten the maps for the location of the Black Order," The man said.
His words caught my attention. The Black Order? I tried to stay as still as possible. I didn't want them noticing me as I listened into the conversation. If these guys worked for the Order, then I might be able to learn about where my destination was.
"Everyone take one in case we get split up," He said. I heard the rustling of papers, and my heart started to flutter. Could I be able to get to the Order if I got a map from these men?"
"We'll rest here, and continue tomorrow," He said.
I stayed up in the tree for hours, trying to figure out how I was going to get a map from them. I could go up to them and ask, but would they trust me, or would the think that I was an akuma? The thought of possibly being shot because they thought I was a monster held me back. Finally, I came up with the idea that I would just borrow one from them. As soon as I got to the Order, then I could give it back. That seemed a like the best bet, but I didn't like the idea of stealing from them.
After a few hours, most of the men in white fell asleep. I looked down to see how many were awake and guarding the place. Only three men stood around the campsite. They looked tiered, and like they could fall asleep at any moment.
They all had their backs to me, so I decided to try my luck. I put the hood of my cloak up, and slowly climbed down the tree. Unfortunately, the moment I placed a foot on the ground, a leaf cracked.
The men spun around, looking in my direction. I stood still, and held my breath. I hoped that the shadows would cover me enough as to no be seen.
A few terrifying minutes later, the men lost interest, and turned away. I took my chance, and snuck over to the little rock that was near me. There was a stack of paper on the rock, and in the dim glow of the fading fire, I saw that it was a map. I grabbed one, careful to not wrinkle the paper, and make any noise.
The moment I had the map folded and clutched in my hand, I sprinted back into the shadows of the tree. Somehow, I managed to do this without making any noise. I took a deep breath, and started to climb up the tree again.
I sat down on the branch that I had found earlier, and I fell asleep.
When I woke up the next morning, the men were gone. I looked at my map as I ate my berries. I groaned as I looked at the destination. The Order was in Scotland, and I was in London. I estimated that it would take me about five months to get there on foot. I just hoped that nothing to bad was going to happen by the time I got there.
"Well, I know where it is I'm going, so I might as well start today," I said to myself. "It'll be a fun adventure!"
I knew that I was only trying to keep my spirits high. However, somewhere in the back of my mind, I heard a little voice telling me that it was impossible, and that I should give up.
I ignored that voice. I wanted to get my memories back, and if this was the only way, then so be it!
I climbed down the tree, and started to look at the map. The men had written where I was on the map. I knew that I had go north, but I had no sense of direction. I was lost.
I heard something crack under my foot. I looked down and saw that I had stepped on a compass! I picked it up, only to find that it was still working. I found which way was north, and started to head that way.
My heart was beating like crazy, and I felt hope and happiness fill my entire body. I laughed out loud for no reason, and spun around in a few circles. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt so good!
I started to run through the trees and fields that I found myself on. I ran through towns, only stopping to buy food and fill up on water. I past pastures filled with cattle. I felt like I was running on air, and that nothing could stop me. I barely stopped running for miles.
I let go of any doubt and anger that I had. I allowed it to fly away with the scenery that I ran past.
I stopped when I saw the vast North Sea spread out before me. I was breathing hard, but I felt like I could run even longer. Was this something that I had learned to do at the Order when I was an exorcist? If it was, then I was happy. I felt free and happy as the air rushed past me and flew my hair back.
I could see the silhouettes of ships and islands. It was a nice day, with warm air and slight breezes. There wasn't a single storm cloud in sight.
I took three deep breaths, and continued to run. I smiled as Lenalee's face popped into my mind. New adrenaline sped through my body, and I picked my pace up.
I ran for the rest of the day, covering a lot of distance. By the end of the day, I fell into a sitting position in a field of flowers. I flopped onto my back, and closed my eyes. I fell asleep within minutes.