Unreal

Chapter Three

        "Hey, did you hear any of that?" I turned to see a very perturbed looking Mr. Annoying.

        "Sorry, I was lost in thought," I apologized. I hadn't even known he was talking.

        He huffed, "In short, I said the healer is in that building," He pointed to a decent-sized one higher up the hill, packet with more plants than most, "And we'll have to be careful if we want to avoid unnecessary attention."

        "Right. So, what's this healer like anyways. and are they a he or a she?" I asked.

        He sighed, then after a long moment, answered, "Her name is Lauriya. She'll probably tell you to call her Riya."

        "Do you know her well?" I asked further. I couldn't help but be curious about the person I was going to be trusting with my health - even if it was just a dream.

        This time he didn't answer. He huffed, then said, "We've wasted enough time, let's go, and you can meet her in person."

        He turned, and started walking along the edge of the town, circling around out of view, and clearly expecting me to follow.

        I didn't, instead, I headed straight for the entrance of the town - at least I assumed it was the entrance. I was right where there was a small half-arch, made of the same white stone of the houses. It came up on both sides, but didn't meet up in the center. It had more glowing lines than any of the other houses. Probably so it would provide more light when it was dark outside.

        It didn't take long for Mr. Annoying to notice I wasn't following him, but by then, it was too late. I stepped through the arch, and straight into the middle of the town. People stopped what they were doing to stare at me. It was kind of unnerving.

        Mr. Annoying stood just out of view, probably glaring daggers. But it didn't matter, I didn't have to always do what he said. I glanced around the area. It looked like some kind of town center. I went up to the friendliest person I saw, planning to ask them where to find Lauriya.

        "Hey- hi, excuse me," I started awkwardly, "I'm looking for a healer, Lauriya. Do you know where I can find her?"

        "Of course, she's in the house at the top of the hill, she should be home right now," The stranger said with a small smile. I let out a small breath of relief, glad that didn't go worse.

        "Thank you," I said with a curt nod, and headed up the hill towards the house. Several more houses were dotted along the path, and several more continued up the hill past the healer's house. The path was made of a cobbled white stone, and decently maintained.

        I took a deep breath when I approached the house, and raised my fist to knock. To my surprise, it opened before my hand even touched it. Right, automatic doors.

        Hesitantly, I stepped inside. Was this okay? Cautiously, I called out, "Hello?"

        I heard soft clattering in another room, then a head peeked around the corner. A young girl with straight, platinum blonde hair and sea-blue eyes stared at me. She looked to be in her preteens, maybe twelve.

        "Hi," I said softly, "Is Lauriya here?"

        The girl nodded, "She's in the other room," She pointed to a doorway, and kept her gaze on me as I walked past.

        The room past the doorway was flooded with natural light and packed with shelves full of books and a few mechanical gadgets. In the center of the room sat a woman, the spitting image of the girl I had just encountered.