Author's Note Hi! I wanted to give a special thank you for leaving the comments! As suggested, I will incorporate point of views by the characters. =) If there are other comments, questions or critiques, please do not hesitate to let me know. Also, I just want to point out that Mia will always be in the present tense. Thank you for reading!

Mia POV

Blood runs down my arms and pain starts to overtake my body as I lay across the grass. Grass? Where am I? Glancing around, he comes into view, the guy in armor. Where did he come from? Taking a closer look, he seems to be waiting for something. His face begins to redden. I have no idea what he wants but this sickening feeling starts to go through me. Leaning over, vomit covers the ground. An aggravated sound escapes from the strange man before coming closer. I get brought to my feet before thrown over a strong shoulder. The swaying motion is not doing anything for an upset stomach as more vomit goes to the ground. Whoever this guy in armor is, doesn't seem to care that I'm puking my guts out. I don't know where he is taking me, but at least he could be more gentle! Wait, what is that sound? Water? The swaying motion changes to an even more unbearable movement. I am bouncing against this lunatic's armor. Looking down, it appears that we are climbing up a hill? Once more, I throw up, but it gets all over my clothes, hair and even on his armor. "Gross! Come on, stop already!" I should know that he is not going to answer me. Great, now what? Sweat is now beading all over. A chill causes my body to shiver. Why is everything going so fuzzy? Am I dying? I hear a grunt as I feel like I am on a cold surface now. It feels like rocks? I hear a scraping sound. I now hear a splash. A rough grip on my jaw is forcing my mouth open. The liquid tastes like crap. I am swaying my neck but I can't escape the invading nasty water or whatever it is. My head goes back down but it is so dark that I am unable to see. Oh great, I'm blind now. I can hear an echo of footsteps going further away. "Wait, don't leave me!" I think he is deaf because the footsteps continue.

"Alright, I am not dead because I can hear the water dripping. I don't know if you are there or not but I would like to use a phone to call my dad and let him know that I am alright. Well, I think I am alright. Am I dying? Come on at least let me know I am going to die instead of just leaving me here not knowing." Drip..drip..."Well, this would not be the first time that I just talk to myself." I don't care how crazy I sound right now. Answers would be great, and if it takes talking out loud to get attention, I guess that's what needs to be done. Wait, what is that light? Everything is blurry but it is getting better. A shiny object flashes for a moment. I hear footsteps. Wait, what is that? "Hey! Are you back?" Heavy objects bang against the ground. "I see you moving around. What are you doing?" I can smell smoke. Oh! Flames! My vision is still messed up but it is getting clearer.

He is walking up to me now. How can someone in armor sit cross legged on the ground? Why so close to me? Is he going to say anything or just sit there? "Why were you in Blood Flow Forrest?" There it is. Should I try to answer? I mean I speak to him and just get ignored. Maybe I should just ignore him! Well, if I do that, what would stop him from killing me? That stare is starting to creep me out. Why did he save me if he just wanted me dead in the first place? Well, I don't know why I ended up in that stupid forest. "How should I know?" Alright, that was not the right answer. I know it sounds a bit rude but come on! I am freaked out. Maybe I should say that? "I'm scared, okay? I end up somewhere and I have no clue that a bunch of blood sucking trees would try to drain me dry. I mean are those vampire creatures or something?"

Knight's POV

He was very agitated at this point. This young woman clearly was not from this country. She did not properly speak. In fact, her manner of speech was very strange to him. "I do not know this vampire creature you speak of. You could not have just magically appeared in the midst of that forest. If you have, I will kill you for crimes of witchcraft. Are you confessing to being in league with devils?" He watched as she shook her head. For some reason, he actually believed her. He would interrogate this stranger to gain the information he would need. By the code, if it was confirmed witchcraft is involved, the death sentence would have to be enforced. "I am Sir Symkyn Otebon hailing from the Kingdom of Cadelitlan." Taking a glance at her arms he reached for the dagger kept in his boot. "Allow me to attend to those wounds." She stared at him intently, so much that it pierced through the iron armor. "On my honor, no harm will come to you unless there is just cause. Will you allow me to do this?"

Mia's POV

Wait a minute! I am not a witch. Is this guy for real? I must have stumbled on some stupid Renascence fair or something. How? Did I start sleep walking? Great, he has a big knife. Yeah, that is one huge knife! Is it real? "Taking care of my wounds means cutting my arms off? If that's the case then no thank you." I begin to sit up. "I think I am going to walk home now. You have fun with your little stone aged fair thing." I am on my feet now but feel a bit dizzy. Shake it off Mia. I can do this. A hand wraps around my arm. Really? "Hey, let go of me or I swear my dad will call the cops and have you arrested for assault on a minor. Do you understand plain English? Let go!"

I yank my way loose but fall in the process. I grab the closest object to me. Fabric? My bed quilt? Wait, how did I get back into my room? Where is Sir what's his name? Alright, that was just a messed up dream, right?

Derrick Buckport's POV

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The coding blurred on the screen it was past break time. Derrick looked at the time, sighing. It was two in the morning and there was still much more that needed to be done. Mia would be testing a bit later so that should give ample time for a nap. Stretching, he stood up to walk around the lab. Grace would have a few surprises for his daughter. The thought of coffee swirled in his mind so he decided it was time to get out for a bit. Xavier had left hours ago, along with the other staff, with the exception of security. As he past one of the guards, he showed the badge. "Just going for a coffee break." That was all he needed to say. He went down to his car to begin the hunt of a twenty four hour coffee shop. Usually, coffee was readily available at the office but not at this hour. He used voice commands to get directions through his G.P.S. He didn't even notice the shop right on the corner that was just a couple of blocks away. The decision was to take the company laptop into the shop so he could work while enjoying a coffee and doughnut. The shop was deserted of customers. This was wonderful! He grabbed a seat, then started working. Once in a while, he took a sip. He drained three cups of coffee and devoured six doughnuts before the coding met with satisfaction. Derrick glanced at the time again and was amazed that it was six. It was time to call Mia. It would take her an hour at least to get ready. The phone rang three times before she picked up. "Hey Mia, good morning. It's time to get ready. I will be there soon to pick you up." All he heard was incoherent babbling and mumbling. He made a mental note to call again in an hour just to be sure that his sleepy head was getting ready. He returned to the lab to complete the changes to the software. The hopes was that not only Mia would appreciate the changes, but Xavier as well. So much was riding on this program. This could secure a vice president position. This could change the educational system. He ran the debugging system with very few corrections needed. Now, he just needed Mia to help test it out. Having her paving the way toward success brought pride to his heart.

Mia's POV

I wish Dad did not call so early. I mean I get it is testing day but sleep is nice to have. Seriously, it does not take three hours to get a shower and breakfast. I guess he has the right to be excited about this whole new business thing. It doesn't mean much to me. School is school. At least that is my thoughts. Oh great the phone is ringing. Yup, Dad is calling to see if I am awake. "Hey Dad, no need to freak I'm up. Yeah, see you soon." After getting everything ready I hear the car pulling into the drive. I have everything so I go outside. After entering the car, Dad hands me an orange juice and fruit salad. "Thanks but the toast was filling enough." No reaction? "Sorry, it will be a great snack during break. Hey, have you ever had a dream that felt real? Like it feels so real it's almost confusing?" Dad is nodding, "Living it every day, Mia. We are sharing it." I doubt we both are experiencing this dream. I do not feel like speaking. I just want to get this over with. Finally, we are here. I take out my badge to open all of the doors. I do not know why but I love this elevator. I guess it's the way of seeing the way it works? Dad is not coming with me? I guess I am on my own. I walk to the secretary's desk and sign my name. Hey, room C is where I need to go. I enter, and just like the boss man said, it is identical to the other one. I put the fruits and drink on a side table. That stupid space age helmet is waiting for me. Something I am not looking forward to wearing each morning. "Okay Grace, what fun are you planning today?" I close the gate behind me. I am placing the helmet on just as the light begins. Grace is standing in front of the class already. Is that Grace? "Uh hi? Is Grace coming?" I ask that because the lady in front of me has a very pretty sundress on, make up, and chestnut hair that is hanging over the shoulders. I adore those sandals! Grace is not this pretty.

Grace's POV

"Good morning, Mia." She giggled, "Oh yes, I have been upgraded. Alright, I hope you slept well because these entrance tests can be a bit tiring. Well, maybe even boring but the quicker we get to it, the faster you will get it over with." She smiled gently at the student. "Most of this test is multiple choice but you will be asked to answer a few essay questions." Grace walked to the desk. "A box will appear in front of you, don't worry that is the testing screen. You have the choice to stand or sit. Just let me know when you're ready, ok?" Grace took a seat and folded her hands together on top of the desk.

Mia's POV

I cannot believe my ears. She sounds human! "I am as ready as I will be." The box came up. Look at this, my information is already filled in. Press the next button is self explanatory. Grace is not telling me how to operate this step by step? I like this change already! One thing I hate are these stupid practice questions, though. Why do all these things have those anyway? 'What animal barks?' At least challenge me. I touch the button that says, 'dog.' Oh good, that is the only noob question.

While Mia tested, Derrick sat in his office but couldn't sleep. There was just too much excitement running through his system. Xavier knocked on the door and they both went down to the lab to keep tabs on all of the progress. Men and women sat at consoles monitoring everything from Mia's brain activity to Grace's productivity level. Everything looked great. After two and a half hours, break time was called. They watched the teen exit the threshold. It was nice for Derrick to see his daughter grab the salad and juice. Xavier commented on how good she was doing. He left to call the school board to report the good news. Everyone in the room knew this was just the beginning of something great.