Matt squinted, poking his head out the tent the next morning. Yesterday’s white had been a dream within a dream, but today he could see the mountains. Matt stepped aside to let his party file out. Then he steeled himself for whatever they might find at the cottage.

“Greetings, travelers,” Sister Mary called as they rounded upon the front porch.

Matt had expected torn clothing, broken wood, but the nun and the cottage were pristine. If it weren’t for the heavy chain piled by the loop on the wall, he would have been sure it was a dream. Matt shuddered thinking back to the cracks and pops, and not being able to do anything but stare.

“Come, come,” Sister Mary said without a hint of those horrors. She smiled and beckoned, then turned down into her cottage.

“Wasn’t she just?” Matt said.

“Kinda wolfy?” Val finished.

Kurtis raised his arms into an ‘I don’t know’ gesture as he followed the nun through the door.

It was much brighter inside than the previous day, sun streaming to the table and shelves. Dust particles floated in the shafts of light and everything seemed more mundane. It was no longer a lab where plants screamed and green mist swirled in a jar; it was just an old woman’s cottage.

Sister Mary walked to the far side of the counter-height table. Matt’s group took places around it too. He opened his mouth, about to ask about last night.

But the nun instructed, “Set it on the table.”

It took his mind a moment to process the request. What on the table? Are we not going to talk about—

“Oh! That’s me!” Val said. Her eyes glazed over and then she clunked her rusty prize down in front of her.

It looked like it belonged in a medieval torture dungeon or Frankenstein’s lab. Sister Mary dragged it closer and then began floating her hands along its teardrop shape.

“Hm,” she said. “Hm.”

“Are you alright, Sister Mary?” Matt said.

The nun hovered her hands over the object, ignoring him. Her palms came together and divided, made circles, chopped up and down…

Fallyn gave Matt a small smile as if to say ‘You tried.’

“I mean, what was that last night?” Matt tried again.

Yet Sister Mary didn’t acknowledge it. She traced the shape of the metal one more time and then slapped her palms to the table. “Well, I don’t know what it is,” she said.

That’s it? thought Matt.

But it was Val who ventured, “So…?”

“So, I can certainly feel the power emanating from it,” Sister Mary said. “But I couldn’t tell you much more.”

“So?” Val repeated.

“So, you must take it to an expert, of course.”

“Where is that?” Matt jumped in.

“There is a friend to my order, Murl. He has a place northwest of Septimus Flower. He will already be aware of the gravemist and if anyone can provide insight, it’s him. Yes,” she said, as if just then deciding. “You must take the object to Murl.”

“Will you be alright here?” Matt asked, trying another tack.

“You must go now,” was all the nun said.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“But what about what happened?” Matt challenged.

“You must go now,” she repeated.

“Are we not going to talk about the porch?”

Fallyn hissed.

“You must go now,” the nun repeated.

When it became clear that they weren’t going to get any answers, the group set out for Septimus Flower. They would go north from the camp and then try to hook around west to this ‘Murl.’ They were in for a long day of hiking.

As Matt walked, the sounds and smells dredged up memories of a family reunion picnic. Someone from Mom’s church had let her host it on their farm and he had helped his parents set up in the morning.

He’d fought with the pinchy metal clips and the dollar store tablecloths. He’d hidden a white splotch where the plaid pattern had transferred with a tray full of burger buns. He’d used a rock to keep the paper plates from blowing away but he couldn’t keep the balloons from popping.

He could almost hear his second cousins complaining as he hiked along the stream, hearing the hum of bugs and the chirping of birds.

“They couldn’t even give me a wine glass,” said Sheila.

“And look at how flimsy this is. I’m using three, look.” Becky wiggled her plate and potato salad slid to the edge.

“I heard his business isn’t doing well and that’s why it’s at this farm place.”

They were so judgmental! Matt wished he’d had the courage to speak up. He shook his head, banishing the memory. He didn’t want to think about anything before.

If this wasn’t a dream, it was all gone—they were all gone. Matt started to name them in his head: Mom, Dad, Emily, Brenda, Brenda’s grandson, the nice lady down the street who brought over cookies every holiday… Anika, Manuele, Sharkie…

He puffed out his cheeks and then exhaled slowly, distracting himself from the spiral. So many nice people were gone, and so many young ones who had barely started their lives. They all deserved better. Even the ones he didn’t know. Even his bratty second cousins.

Don’t think like that, Matt, he told himself. Wait until you’re sure. You don’t know for sure. He hugged his arms, rubbed away the goosebumps, and focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

It was mid-afternoon when they finally reached the camp, white canvas tents rippling bright against the clear blue sky. It had deepened to a medium shade while they walked and the wind had turned gentle and warm.

It was a little bit like coming home, weaving through the tents. Matt peeked in doorways and between the structures but didn’t see anyone he knew. The whole area still felt too empty.

Septimus stood tall on his usual pedestal, calling out in those same pink robes. There was even a small crowd at his feet. The tie-die lady with the skull-patterned bucket hat was taking full advantage. She had set up shop to his left and was lecturing about the end of days.

Matt scanned the faces, and the few names that were visible, for any he might recognize. Then, it hit him: the ones with combat bars showing were Level 6 and Level 7.

Fuck. I thought we were doing okay. Fuck, fuck, fuck. They were still only Level 5.

Matt walked faster, taking the lead.

Did we miss a quest? Did I choose the wrong class?

The field gave way to trees. Matt hurried over rocks and roots.

“Matt, man?” Kurtis said.

What did I do wrong?

A fallen tree lay across the path. Matt had to sit on it to slide over.

Were the sisters and Not-Burl gone this morning because they’re ahead too?

He offered Val his hands as she traversed the tree. She curtsied when she landed.

We have to catch up. We HAVE to catch up.

Matt’s ankle folded on a tree root. “Damn it!” he yelled. His palm was bleeding.

“Hey man, you okay?” Kurtis asked, ears down.

“I’ll be fine,” Matt said. “Let’s keep moving.”

After an hour in the forest, they reached the shore of a lake, and more of the map was revealed. On their right: sparkling water and three large islands. On their left: a narrow pass into the mountains, towards Murl.

The pathway was little more than a slit through dark rock. Shards ground and clinked at their feet. There was daylight above, maybe twenty feet up, but it was only wide enough to walk single file. Matt led the way, pushing their pace until Fallyn called for a stop.

“Hey Matt, slow down,” she said.

We have to keep going.

“Kurtis, are you alright?”

We have to keep going.

“Matt, we need to stop.”

Matt halted and turned to look down the line. Val was behind him and gave a rapid, smiley wave. Then Kurtis was between her and Fallyn. The cat-man’s hair was standing on end and his hands were braced on the rocks.

“Keep… Going.” Kurtis said, breathing heavily and looking like he was trying to hold back the walls. “Then we get out of here faster.” He didn’t meet anyone’s eyes. “Please.”

‘See,’ Fallyn mouthed.

Matt nodded then turned. He didn’t know what to do except keep walking. He was worried about Kurtis, worried about their progress. They had gone the entire day yesterday without gaining a level. And now, late afternoon the next, they were still only halfway through this one.

Val tried to distract Kurtis with stories and jokes. They kind of helped, kind of made things worse. So after half an hour, when Matt spotted the exit, it was more than a welcome sight.

“It’s a meadow,” Matt announced. “Bigger than Sister Mary’s.” He glanced over his shoulder and Kurtis frowned. “And there’s some sort of big stone house.”

Matt hurried to the opening, to the grass filled with dandelions, and collided with an invisible wall.