Unknown L (Book 1)

~~~ Wow! Just, Wow! ~~~

He stretched out his limbs and smiled down at her. "We've almost reached our destination, I'm surprised we got here so soon. I expected that you'd need to stop a lot more..." He quirked a brow and smirked at her look of indignation. "Well, since we're so close, there are a few things we need to go over."

L was so surprised to hear that they were nearly there that she almost choked on her drink. She spluttered and gestured for him to keep going while she finished coughing.

"The rules are similar to those on the bus. Just try not to stare at the beings and creatures you see. You won't get kicked out or anything, but it will cause a few problems that you'll want to avoid. If you don't understand a gesture, then don't respond, come and find me. It sounds kind of rude, but it's better to be ignorant than accidentally offend someone by doing or saying the wrong thing."

This made L wonder all the more what creatures might be at this place. She nodded regardless to show him she was listening.

He watched her carefully while he continued. "Also, you should have someone with you at all times while you're there. It's for your safety more than anything, and it may not be me. We'll try to pair you up with someone who's equally as cool, though. It might take a while to find someone, be patient."

L rolled her eyes at his words. She liked to be on her own, but since she had no idea what everyone there could be capable of; she reluctantly embraced the idea of having a companion. She would have much preferred to have Robbie with her, but thinking about him sent a pain through her chest. 

She kept her exterior passive, however, "Alright, what else?"

"And lastly, I will explain who to trust while you're there. I might not be around all the time, and not everyone at the base has honourable intentions. The beings I point out will be the ones you should go to if anything goes wrong, okay?"

L nodded again and bit her lip. If this place was supposed to be somewhere safe, then why were there creatures that may mean her harm? She voiced her concerns to Bryce, and he placed a hand on her shoulder. His face was serious once again.

"Even the strongest of forts can be brought down eventually. Just keep your wits about you, and don't get too comfortable with your surroundings. I have a feeling you're already pretty good at that."

L smiled and subtly moved away from his hand. She didn't want to offend him by pulling away, but the contact made her feel strange.

"I can definitely do that."

Bryce seemed satisfied with everything they'd gone over. He packed their things up, and they moved on. L found herself searching ahead to see where they might be going.

The area was mostly woods and fields with houses dotted here and there. They were on what looked like a main road. She'd watched films with government bases out in the middle of nowhere, and it never ended well for those who went there.

She tried to calm any paranoid thoughts and kept walking. She had to keep looking up at Bryce through the darkness to make sure he was still there. Usually, it wouldn't have bothered her to be alone, but after being attacked by beings she knew nothing about, she felt more comfortable with his company.

Maybe an hour or so later, they turned down a second, smaller road and Bryce slowed his pace. L got the feeling they were really close to the base now, and she watched as Bryce began looking over at the trees to their left. He appeared to be searching for something, but L couldn't imagine what. There was nothing to see except hundreds of trees and bushes, and endless darkness beyond. The road stretched on for miles ahead of them, but Bryce wasn't watching that way at all anymore.

He took a few more steps and then stopped, smiling when he looked at her.

"Here we go, the entrance... now you have to hit it at just the right point, or you just end up in these woods. Since I know what I'm doing, you're going to go first, and I'll guide you through, is that alright?"

L creased her brow in confusion, "If we're not going to end up in these woods, then where are we going to end up?"

Bryce smiled even wider if that was possible, and there was almost a twinkle in his eyes.

"We'll still be in these woods but not as they are now... you'll see what I mean in a second, so is it okay if I guide you in or not?"

She didn't understand how that was possible, but nothing she had experienced recently was meant to be possible. And it wasn't like she had much choice in the matter. She either stayed on this side and waited for Demon bounty hunters to find her or she went with him.

"Well, it's too late to say no now. So... yes, it's alright for you to guide me, but if this is a trap, I will find a way to hurt you."

Bryce didn't make a joke about that as L had expected him to, and he inclined his head.

"It isn't a trap. You have my word."

L took a long, drawn-out breath, then walked to the side of the road with him. She still couldn't see anything different about this particular spot in the trees. Bryce moved his hands to her shoulders, and L resisted the urge to shrug them off. He shifted her to the left just a touch and then spoke quietly next to her ear.

"Now walk straight ahead with me and don't stop no matter what looks like it's in your way. Don't step aside in any direction and don't pull away from my hands, got it?"

L nodded. She didn't trust herself to speak and braced herself for whatever was coming. Bryce didn't make it sound very safe, but despite that, she walked forward when he pushed gently on her shoulders. She stayed in position and kept walking up to the tree line. There was a tree directly in her path, and she hesitated, but Bryce held her tighter.

"Don't stop for anything, remember? I promise you won't walk into any trees or hurt yourself."

L wouldn't have questioned yet another impossible thing but what was the point after the things she'd experienced; if the existence of Fairies and Demons was possible, then this should be a walk in the park. She smiled inwardly at that and collected herself for what she was about to do. She took a deep breath and walked forward. She expected to face plant into the tree trunk, but she felt nothing and kept walking.

She passed straight through the tree as though it wasn't there and everything started to speed up around her. The trees and bushes flashed by, and still they kept walking; it made her feel dizzy, but Bryce's words and the pressure of his hands steadied her for the most part. She almost fell to the side at one point, but Bryce held her firm, and she counted to ten to calm herself, never stopping despite almost falling.

She tried not to imagine what might happen if she did stop, or fall to the side; this must have been some kind of trick passage to stop anyone they didn't want, getting in and finding them. It was working on L. She wanted to turn back and get out of this crazy ride. It felt like it was going on for hours. Then, all of a sudden, it ground to a halt, and Bryce had to hold her up so she didn't fall flat on her face. Her head was spinning, and her eyes felt like they were rolling.

"Just close your eyes and take a few seconds to regain your balance. It does take some getting used to."

L closed her eyes immediately and held onto Bryce. Her legs weren't steady enough to hold her. She didn't like having to rely on him even more than she already had, but the world was turning of its own accord.

She took a few deep, calming breaths, and slowly, everything levelled out again. She regained her balance and composure. L cautiously opened her eyes when she felt like she wouldn't throw up, and she couldn't believe what she saw in front of her.

"Wow! Just, wow!"