Chapter 2

‘This soft and warm feeling feels all too familiar to me. I remember I slipped into a pond and …’

Waking up abruptly Leila remembered the past events.  How long has it been since she saw a living, breathing person. Even though her stay didn’t last a day . It made her relieved that she finally escaped. Escaped that place where you can only hear your heartbeat, where you feel hopelessness. Everywhere you go there was only silence as if god cursed you to spend rest of your life with only your thoughts to keep you company. That place reminded her of an endless abyss , not that she was there.

‘Aeternus abyss… What a fitting name. The word Aeternus means endless, a beginning without an end.’

Ending her thoughts she looked around and noticed she was in a simple decorated room. There was a chair and small table beside the window. While touching the bed sheet Leila thought that she unknowingly took advantage of her daily life . Finally understanding she was in a foreign place Leila took a deep breath and slowly approached the door. Holding the door knob she gently turned it.  The door made soft *creak sound and opened. Seeing a long corridor she quickened her pace to go outside.  

‘Where am I?’

Eventually she reached her destination and what greeted made her jaw drop, if possible literally. She was in a small town. And this town didn’t have electricity, phone, car, tall buildings…Nothing…People are wearing medieval clothes. Have I finally gone insane??? Pinching herself she resentfully admitted the reality. She was no longer home, but someplace else.

“Oh, you’re finally awake Miss. Are you feeling fine?”

Turning around she found herself face-to-face with that stranger who saved her.

“Yes, thank you. Who are you? And can you tell me where I am? It seems I got a bit lost.”

“Oh… That explains a lot. We found you in a pond near to our house. Luckily we decided to go there today and found you. It was all thanks to my daughter Sasha, she’s the one who found you first.”

“Ummm…  You should really learn h-how t-to swim.” Said cute girl with curly blond hair . Hiding quickly behind his father back she glanced and smiled shyly.

Giving sheepish smile,

“Thank you for saving my life, call me Leila Moore, short Leila”, gently giving a bow Sasha smiled happily and clapped her hands.

“You’re welcome. Call me Aland Caldwell, here my daughter Sasha. You must be hungry , come sit with us and have dinner.”

Thanking them she followed them to dining room. Their house consisted of 5 maids and 1 butler. It seems they are quite rich. Seeing them having maid and butlers. Also their house is simple and elegantly decorated. Not too much and not less as well.  Her first meal was really delicious. Not to embarrass herself further she tried to control her appetite. But it seemed to have failed miserable seeing how much they stared at her.

*Sigh…

Not a good first impression.

“It is my first time seeing a person with appetite such as yours. And feel that women should eat more to stay healthy.” ‘She is quite peculiar person. Where did she come from?’

I laughed embarrassingly. After the delicious meal and desserts , they chatted for awhile.

“I know I might be asking too much but can you allow me to stay? I won’t stay for free, I’ll earn my keep”  Leila looked at him with hope and purpose.

*Tug, tug…

Sasha looked at her dad pleadingly “Can’t you allow her to stay? I like her”

Seeing her daughters’ face Aland sighed gently and “Ok, now go to your room.”

Hearing her fathers’ reply Sasha happily got up and left the dining room.

“Now Leila Moore I will allow you to stay if you follow certain conditions. They are not cruel of any sort, but for safety measures. You should understand that allowing total strangers to stay is not easy for any person. First I would like to hear your story than sign this paperwork.”

Looking a bit lost Leila tried to think of a best way to explain herself without making herself look crazy. Maybe she should just lie. Shaking her head Leila decided to tell him.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“Before arriving here I got injured when a group thugs tried to rob a store and lost my consciousness due to my injury, when I woke up I was here” Well it is the truth, but he didn’t ask me to say every single detail.

While hearing my story Aland looked at me carefully and seemed satisfied with my answer handed me a document . Looking at it I realized I can’t understand the language. Scratch that I’ve never seen this sort of a writing. For a moment I really wanted to ask but decided against it. Pretending to read the whole document while nodding my head I signed my signature at the end of the page and handed it over to the butler.

“It’s a pleasure meeting you Leila Moore. The butler will lead you back to your room and explain further details of your work .”

While nodding my head Aland got up and turned to leave, when he stopped and looked back at me. Threateningly “If you hurt my daughter it won’t be nice”

Chill run through my back, dejectedly I followed the butler who led me to the same room I woke up today.

*Knock, knock…

A male voice could be heard. Who is this so early in the morning?

Finally getting up she opened her door gently.

“Good morning Miss , today I will further explain your duties and daily tasks. Change your clothes and be ready in ten minutes.”

“Okay…”

Looking around Leila saw a wardrobe and opened it. There were two pair of clothes and she didn’t like either of them.

‘No effin way, I’m not gonna wear that.”

Holding the maid clothes in her hands Leila pondered her way out but found none. Giving up she changed her clothes and left the room in a hurry. Running in a long corridor Leila saw the butler giving instructions to the maids.

Looking at his wrist-watch . “11 minutes and 30 seconds. If I remember correctly I asked you to be ready in ten minutes.”

Dropping her head “I’m sorry.”

“Since you’re a newbie, let me assess your skills.”

Brightening up Leila happily looked at the garden and turned to look at the butler.

“Previously I used to run a flower shop. So I am quite knowledgeable about plants. If you let me, I will look after the garden” said confidently .

Raising his eyebrows

“Is that so? I will give you 3 days to make this garden more presentable. You will find the tools not too far from here. Well if you don’t make it in time or fail to do so there are certain punishment  that I’m quite sure that is not likeable”

Reaching the garden Leila encountered another problem she forgot to address.   The problem is she’s not from this world that means plants are most likely different. Seeing countless unknown species of plants Leila couldn’t help but think ‘Did I just landed myself a punishment ‘

Not giving up, she asked a paper and ink from another maid and started observing the plants. The next day Leila almost wrote down all functions and characteristic of each plant. She was also able to know which plant grows in what condition. Gaining new knowledge Leila used it to full advantage.

During mid-day

“Leilaaa play with me”

“Do you wanna play hide-and-seek?”

“Yaay, I’ll hide, count to 10, ok?”

“Okay, I’ll turn back. One, two, three, four, five…ten and here I come”

Looking around the garden she saw a tiny feet peeking out of the tree, pretending not to notice she shouted

“Sasha, Where are you??? Should I give up…”

Hearing a giggle Leila quickly runs up to a tree only to find nobody standing there. Confused she looked around more…

“Boo! Did I scare you?”

“You brat, you scared me” turning around Leila saw her tiny body floating in the air.

“How……..you………..I………??”

Sasha quizzically pointed at herself

“Are you asking me how I’m flying? But everyone can” Sasha looked curiously at Leila.

‘How is this possible?’

“Sasha tell me how’re able to fly?”

“Why are you asking, everybody knows that you need to use magic in order to fly”

‘Huh, my head feels like it lost one of its gears and stopped working altogether’

‘Magic….Unbelievable’