Unknown L (Book 1)

~ Wow! Just, Wow! ~

L turned her gaze back to the little figure and furrowed her brow as she tried to guess what the Fairy could be giving her. Her tiny hands were moving faster than L could follow them. L felt slightly unnerved until she glanced at Bryce, who looked calm while he also observed what Elisie was doing.

He gave her a reassuring smile, and L looked back at her wrist. Her eyes grew wide with shock at what was already forming. An intricately woven bracelet of flowers, all in different colours, though L had no idea what kind they were or where they were coming from. She'd never liked floral, girly things before, but this would have to be an exception.

She hadn't ever seen anything like it before, and Elisie had almost finished already. L watched her tie it off with a tiny bow and something shiny, which disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

Elisie stood back up on L's hand and rubbed her own hands together, job well done from the look on her tiny face.

L was stunned and looked from the bracelet to the Fairy.

"Thank you, that was amazing to watch. It is really beautiful."

L watched her little face blush, and her smile was brightened further. She appeared to be speaking back, but L still couldn't hear a thing. She turned inquisitively to Bryce to see him grinning and nodding at Elisie. L stared down at the bracelet while she waited for them to finish, only looking up when the pressure suddenly lifted from her hand.

Elisie waved to them both and then flitted off. L waved back and waited until she was out of general earshot before she looked to Bryce expectantly. He chuckled quietly and crossed his feet on the seat in front.

"She said you're very welcome and to tell you that it's not just an ordinary bracelet. She imbued it with Fairy magic. 'It will help to keep you safe, whatever life holds for you in the future' is what she said."

L creased her brow in confusion at the cryptic message until she saw the pointed look in his eyes, and it hit her. Somehow that Fairy knew something about what was going on with her. L didn't know how that was possible, but not much made sense anymore.

She felt like she should be alarmed that it was becoming common knowledge, but if the gift was what Elisie said, then it was more thoughtful than harmful. She couldn't manage anything except gratitude to the Fairy and nodded over at Elisie when she peeked back from the top of her seat.

Bryce didn't seem to find any of this strange or something to be concerned about, so L let it go. She got herself more comfortable in her seat. The bus kept rolling along despite the activities of its passengers. L's eyes were starting to droop as the warmth she now felt started to make her sleepy.

"How long will we be on this bus?" She stifled a yawn behind her hand, but Bryce could see it clearly.

He smiled and shrugged a shoulder, "A few hours yet."

L nodded. The amount of sleep she would get was the only thing she was calculating at that moment.

She shifted onto her side without really thinking about it, "Alright, I'm just gonna rest my eyes for a bit. I'm not going to sleep in case you need me for anything, anything at all."

L heard him mutter something, but it didn't register because she quickly drifted off to sleep, stroking her flower bracelet absentmindedly.

                          ***

L woke suddenly and sat bolt upright. She felt a hand on her shoulder but ignored it as she searched around furiously. They were still on the bus, but it must have been quite some time later. The scenery had changed outside; they were in a built-up town, and the sun appeared to be going down.

L didn't recognise the town, and when she looked back in, she quickly noticed that a few of the occupants on the bus had changed. The woman and boy with yellow eyes, the Fairy Elisie and the woman with scales had all left, the two giant men and the man with the basket were still on, as well as a few new additions.

"L, what's wrong?! L? Are you alright?"

L blinked the sleep out of her eyes, and she realised Bryce was talking to her. She took the sunglasses off and tried to focus only on him. He looked concerned for her, and she tried to shake off the horrible feeling she had.

"I had a nightmare about... Robbie... him and his family, they were being hurt in the most horrible ways, and I just stood there watching them... I can still see their faces. I wanted to help, but I just couldn't move, and it made me so frustrated and angry... and upset!"

L rubbed her face and felt the hand on her shoulder tighten a little.

"It was just a bad dream. Your brain's trying to process everything that's happened, and you're subconsciously worrying about the Worcesters. We can't really talk about it here... but it will be fine once you've had something to eat. It will give you a chance to calm down."

L tried to shake off the dream, but it was so clear and vivid in her mind. She could see everything in such detail, and it haunted her.

Despite her disturbing thoughts, she zoned in on how Bryce mentioned they couldn't talk about it. It was quieter than the rest of his words. His eyes had darted in front of them, and L followed his gaze to the dark skinned man who had the basket.

She could see a bit clearer without the sunglasses. She noticed his skin was actually dark red, and there were blue patterns, almost like tattoos covering everywhere that was visible. L got the idea that Bryce was suspicious of this man even more so than the others. L took a good look at the other passengers while she ate the food that Bryce passed her.

A young couple had gotten on while she slept, and they appeared to be the same species; they both had pointed ears and bright orange coloured eyes. L thought she saw a literal spark of electricity pass between them at one point, but she looked away before they could see her staring.

She ate another sandwich and peered further down the bus. There was a small man sitting alone by the window. From the back, he kind of looked like a garden gnome with his pointy hat, and L imagined him having a pudgy face and rosy cheeks.

She smiled inwardly and looked over to see two people sat together on the opposite side to the small man. Although she didn't know if 'people' was the right word to use. She couldn't make anything out about them. They wore floor length, brown robes with the hoods pulled up, and L could only see them from the back. She had no idea what was different about these two besides their fashion sense.

She finished her food and her observations and glanced at Bryce, who was finishing his own meagre meal. His gaze kept darting back to the tattooed guy in front of them. L wondered again what could be wrong. She knew she couldn't ask, and she almost hoped they'd be getting off the bus soon.

She'd strangely enjoyed the journey, right up until her nightmare. Although, being on the bus wasn't giving her any answers to the mountain of questions she still had. She looked out of the windows. The town they'd been going through had disappeared already, and she had no idea where she was.

It didn't bother her not knowing where she was, but she did wonder if Bryce knew where he was going. He hadn't looked outside once as far as she knew, and the driver didn't signal any towns or stops for people to get off.

L was questioning how this gloomy looking bus could pass through towns unseen. Single beings, sure, but a huge black bus should have been spotted by anyone in their right minds. She was almost tempted to go and ask the driver when the bus began slowing down.

She watched the man with the basket stand up, and she felt Bryce's body tense beside her. He was usually fairly calm and collected, even in front of those Grimlock-things back in the cemetery. But right now, he was coiled tightly. His eyes were glued to the back of the man.

L's brow creased, and she watched the man pick up his basket, but instead of walking towards the doors to get off, he turned around, and L had to hold back a gasp.