Within the next two days, I slowly adjust myself to living in Jemsi. The town has a strange name but it means "Life" in their local tongue.
Both Sir Ligas and his wife Lady Jasmine are friendly and kind people. Although I'm the only guest at their inn, they make sure I have everything I need. I also spend time training my mana and power with Glean.
"You don't need to help us like this Car." Jasmine says as I wash the dishes.
"I'll feel bad if I don't. It's the least I can do after you've let me stay for free. Think of it as my rent fee." I say, putting the washed plate into the drying rack.
Jasmine is only a year older than me so we're already on first name basis. She's a warm person like her husband. Sometimes, I am reminded of Fern when I am around her but I force myself to forget.
"Are you alright Car? You have that look again." Jasmine says in concern.
I smile, "It's nothing. Do you need help with anything else?"
Jasmine's gentle jade green eyes stare at me and she purses her lips. "You know I'm always here if you need an ear Carmella. I consider you a good friend so please don't push me away."
Maybe it's the soft tone she uses or maybe it's her kind heart but I feel a little guilt gnaw at my conscience. I know she wants me to open up to her and share my worries but I have always been independent and alone. I simply do not know how to share my feelings with another person. After tightrope walking between cliffs, the next most difficult thing for me is letting someone inside the protective barrier around my heart.
Jasmine means well but that is what I am most afraid of. I don't want to grow attached to her incase a similar situation to Fern's occurs again.
"I know. Thank you Jas." I say gratefully.
She wrinkles her nose, her freckles bouncing up. "I just remembered that I have a shopping list if you're alright with going."
"Sure, leave it to me." I smile and take the small piece of paper which she pulls out of her apron pocket.
"Don't come back too late or it'll get dangerous."
"Dangerous?" I ask curiously.
"The monsters come out after sunset."
Monsters are creatures which roam on the outskirts of Jemsi. They are known to eat human flesh and come out after the sun sets in the evenings. The people here try to avoid going outside after sunset if they can.
The list which Jasmine has given me is around ten items. I head to the nearest grocery store and find that it is still busy. I reach up for the cheese which is placed on the highest shelf. My hand doesn't reach even when I am standing on my tiptoes.
I glance around but it looks like there are no shop assistants. Do they not hire them here? This world is not short people friendly either.
"Damn it." I mutter and try to reach up again.
"You won't be able to get it. Let me."
I feel someone reach up from behind me and take the cheese. I turn around to thank him but gasp.
"Emmett?!"
His emerald eyes widen as he sees my face. "Carmella?!"
"What are you doing here?" I ask him. What a coincidence. We met in such a random place.
He smiles and hands me the block of cheese. "I've come to visit my parents."
"They live in Jemsi?" I ask in surprise.
"Yes, I was born here."
I thought he was like the Davicis and grew up in the city of Linkolp.
"Ah, so you're from here. Do you know anywhere that's hiring?" I ask. He might know somewhere I can make some money.
"I might know someone... but first tell me why you're here. Do Gaylen and his family know you came here? You know how far this place is from there. Will you be staying the night here?"
I blink and patiently wait for him to finish. This irritating feeling is still lingering within me. When will it leave?
"Has no one told you?" I ask. I thought the Davicis would make it public knowledge by now about how their bodyguard was chasing after the young master so they fired her. "I moved here a while ago."
"What do you mean? You aren't living at the Davicis' anymore?" Emmett looks shocked. He probably never imagined that I would get disposed of by them.
I shake my head. "It's been a while since I've moved here."
"Did you come to get some groceries? Let's do it together since you seem to be struggling with the high shelves." Emmett says lightly.
I scowl at him. "It's alright for some people with long arms."
He laughs, "I missed you."
I smile and show him the list which Jasmine gave me. "I think I'll need your help if I'm to finish buying all this before the night ends."
"Let's get moving then." Emmett smiles and takes the shopping list from me.
"Thank you."
With Emmett assisting me, it only takes us fifteen minutes to find everything on the list. I pay for the items whilst Emmett puts them into some carrier bags. My items take up three bags whilst he only has one. He doesn't complain but instead carries all four bags as we walk out of the store.
"I'll hold mine." I say, reaching towards the bags.
He pulls them away from me. "It's alright, Carmella. I can carry them just fine." He flexes his arm, "See? I'm strong."
I chuckle, "I know you are but so am I. I'm not as weak as you think."
"I won't be a gentleman if I let a lady carry them when I'm here."
"Who made these stupid rules? I am very capable of carrying my own." I mutter.
He smiles, "I'm liking you more and more Car."
"What's that supposed to me–"
I stop as growls fill the air around us. We're in the forest which leads back to Jasmine's place.
Emmett's eyes widen as he pulls out his sword which I hadn't noticed earlier.
"Stay back Car. These guys really chose the wrong time to come out." Emmett says, stepping in front of me as a huge wolf appears in front of us, its fangs bared.
At a closer look, it isn't a wolf. The creature has a body shape similar to a wolf but it has three unblinking eyes which stare hungrily in our direction.
Is this what Jasmine had warned me about earlier?
Emmett is sweating as he slashes the monster. My palms are also clammy as I glance around. There is no one else here. They have probably all taken shelter indoors.
I can't let Emmett fend it off alone. I ball up my palms and close my eyes before opening them and staring at the creature. I aim my hands at it and a wave of fire hits it.
However, my triumph is short lived as the creature turns its unwavering gaze to me and growls, its huge fangs snarling at me. Before it can launch itself in my direction, Emmett slashes at it with his sword and glances at me as a dark purple coloured liquid pours out of the monster.
"Are you alright? You should leave Car. Let me deal with this." He says.
I shake my head, "Do you really think you can kill this monster alone?"
"Fine." He sighs, "We will talk about your magic later."
I roll my eyes, "You're really nosy."
He grins and stabs the creature as it flings its huge claws at him.
I form a fireball and send it towards it, managing to burn its fur. The smell of burnt fur is strong and I wrinkle my nose.
All of a sudden, I hear an echoing growl. No, it sounds strange. As I survey our surroundings, I gasp.
"We have company." I whisper aloud.
"Shit! The whole family is here for a feast." He curses.
"Watch out!" I quickly fire at the monster creeping up behind him as he fights the first one.
Is this really my afterlife or is this karma for some sin I've done in the past?