The Unimaginable World, Amber Riel [top 20 books to read txt] 📗

A Place to Stay

The next morning, we had everyone load up on the bus.  Edmund sat behind the driver’s seat again.  Thorn and Edmund held a conversation about safe havens and stores while I took a seat next to a window and looked out of it.  The woods were dull and lifeless.  I couldn’t imagine what the rest of the mortals’ world would look like all because I failed at my job.         

“You know we could see if there are other wolf packs or vampire clans around here for help,” Ziles spoke taking a seat next to me.         

I shook my head and looked over at the werewolf.  “You know where any of them could be located?” I asked.         

He shrugged.  “It depends are where we are.  Hey, Edmund, were on earth are we?  I mean literally.”         

Edmund held up his hand to Thorn and then turned his attention toward Ziles and me.  “We’re in Canton, North Carolina.”         

Ziles thought for a moment.  “There should be a group around here but I’m not quite sure.  Us werewolves and vampires like to live in the woods to keep us from the humans,” he replied.         

I nodded.         

“Quill,” he began, “you know that I can die right?”         

I nodded.         

“I just if I don’t make it back… out of this world could you let my pack know and…Swimra?”         

“Don’t talk like that,” I whispered.         

“But-”         

“You’re going to make it back with us and you can run into her arms and tell her how much you missed her but none of us are going to have to explain anything to her.”

He nodded.         

“You’re pretty smart and quick so I see you making it out of this thing anyways,” I reassured him.         

He nodded.  “Thanks, Quill.  You’re a good friend.”         

I smiled.

 

          

Edmund pulled up to an old abandoned cabin which appeared to have quite a bit of rooms.  “I guess we can stay here for the night?” he asked, unsure if he was making a good suggestion.         

Thorn looked out of the windshield and nodded.  “I think it’s a good place but we need to make sure it’s safe first; just to be cautious.  Quill, you and Bones can go in to check it out.  I’ll cover you.”         

I nodded while Ziles moved out of the way so I could get through.         

Bones was busy playing with the children until I whistled for him.         

“Come on, boy,” I spoke to the dog.         

He quickly jumped up and followed me off of the bus.

Thorn stood at the foot of the door and let me through.  He waited for Bones to walk down and out of the bus as well.         

My dog trotted before me and walked over to the front door.  He tilted his head and then looked at me.

When I was on the small porch, I peered into the window to see if there was a zombie inside but the windows were old and filled with dust that it was difficult to see anything.  “We’re going in blind,” I told Thorn, still staring into the window.         

“Alright,” his voice spoke from behind me.         

I moved over the door and opened it, keeping a hand on a sword.  I slowly walked in with Bones at myself.

He began to sniff the air.         

I moved slowly, moving furniture around to make sure there were no surprises.  When I knew the living room was clear, I moved into the hallway and then into the room across from the living room.  Pictures were covered with white sheets and a few of the walls revealed that someone had lived there once before but during some sort of problem had to leave in a hurry.         

Bones didn’t seem to have a problem, searching the rooms.  I knew that if a zombie had been in the house or even in the same room he would have sensed its presence and began growling but he was just trotting around, happily.         

I opened the closet door which revealed an empty closet.         

“How do things look so far?” Thorn asked in a hushed tone, just in case.         

“So far so good,” I replied.  “Bones isn’t growling which is a good sign but we still have another floor to check and he could just be distracted by the scenery.  You know how he is.”         

Thorn nodded.  “I’m sure we’re good then but it’s always good to check just in case.”         

I nodded in agreement.  I took a seat in a chair for a break.  “I’m worried about Anna.”         

“Why’s that?”         

I took a deep breath before going into detail.  “She explained that before she met her husband she usually would cut herself but when he came into her life and found out he explained that she didn’t need to hurt herself anymore.  He’s gone now… what if she decides that she-?”

“We’ll keep an eye on her,” Thorn replied.         

I nodded.

 

          

Once we knew the cabin was safe, we let the humans inside and pick their rooms.  I sat on the steps of the porch with Bones at my side.  I shook my head and looked at the dead mutt.  “All of this is because I screwed up,” I told him.

His eyeless sockets locked onto me and he just stared into my eyes.  If I were mortal, it probably would have been the creepiest thing I have ever seen but it was normal for me.  Not only that but you get use it after a while and also from knowing the Grim Reaper as well.         

“Grim should come and take my life because I don’t deserve to live after I killed off the mortal population by letting that zombie through.  Why did it have to be a zombie anyways?  Why couldn’t it have been a fairy or even a dragon?  Those would have been easier to do away with but zombies?  No mortal have to suffer from that curse.”  I sighed.         

I listened as someone walked out onto the porch behind me and closed the door.  “The mortals are all fast asleep,” Vivid’s voice spoke.         

I slightly nodded.         

“You know you don’t help anyone when you just pity yourself.”         

I sighed.         

“Quill, you didn’t do this on purpose.  It’s not your fault.  Zombies can be difficult to deal with.”  She took a moment before she continued on.  “A zombie can destroy a person’s life but it’s not your fault.  This could have happened to anyone.”         

“Tell that to the mortals,” I answered.  “Tell that to Anna… tell that to Edmund… both of them had lost someone dear to them and it’s my fault.  I was standing at that portal.  I fought all those damn zombies but one escaped before I had a chance to stop it.  I ruined lives.”

Vivid shook her head.  “That’s what you want to believe.  No one blames you for this.”         

“Why do you even care anyways?  You barely even know me.”  I stood up and turned to face her.         

She sighed.  “You don’t realize it do you?”         

“Realize what?” I asked.         

“Friendship… someone who tries to help you and is willing to put their self in danger just to help you fix what you think is wrong,” she answered, shaking her head, “just like you deny being in love with Thorn… you don’t know how to let people in.”         

I looked at the ground.  “Why?  Why should I let people in?”         

Vivid pulled out something from her pocket and handed it to me.         

“What is this?” I asked.         

“Open it,” she replied.         

I looked down and realized that it was a folded piece of paper.  I unfolded it and noticed that it had writing on it.  “What is this?”         

“A prophecy,” she answered.  “Grim gave it to me.  He wanted me to wait to give it to you.”         

I looked at it and gave myself a moment before I began reading it.  I looked at Vivid then back to the paper.  I began reading it for myself in my head.  The mortals’ death will be that from a creature of death.  Time will take its course and the world will cease.  The dead will walk and devour anyone or anything.  No one mortal can keep it from ending all help will be that from living souls of those that can’t die or are mixed with life of another creature.  This will be the time of soulless task and immortality to cease from the world and the world’s protection will be no more.  I looked up at Vivid and closed my eyes.  “Is this the end…?” I asked, “The end for the mortals?”         

Vivid held back tears as she locked eyes with me.  “We still have time to stop this.  Grim told me that we can change the events.  I don’t know how and I don’t know when but we can and if so then the mortals’ world will be safe and sound.  It’ll go back to being peaceful.”         

“But what happens if we fail?” I asked.         

Vivid dropped her head.  “Then it’s the end and there’s nothing we can really do.  It’ll be helpless.”         

I thought about her words and I nodded.  “Come on, Bones, let’s go to bed.”  I walked past Vivid and handed the piece of paper back to her.  “I guess we’ll have to find a way to stop it then.”         

She nodded.         

“Look I need to get some rest but so you know… I could use a friend.  I usually stay to myself but I don’t think I could hold this burden on my own.”         

She nodded.  “Good night.”         

“Good night… and as for me and Thorn I would appreciate it if you don’t say anything to him about my feelings.  I don’t want to get rejected.  I’ve never been in love with anyone until now and I don’t like feeling vulnerable especially when I have to work with him.”         

She smiled and nodded.  “You’re secret’s safe with me.”

I nodded.

The Safe Haven