Chapter 3

Well, Thats Convenient

Nathan was excited, He hadn't seen his sister Emily in two years, and she was coming home for a week to visit. Nathan and Emily use to be inseparable being twins, Nathan of course was the older twin being born ten minutes ahead of Emily. Such things were important to twins, very important. Emily had already been home for two days however and she was just hold up in her old room. Nathan and Emily were both staying with their parents, Nathan went to a community college in Reno Nevada and was earning his master's degree in engineering. He was already in his last year and had good grades and high hopes. Nathan wanted to be a civil engineer.

Emily had better grades when they were in high school and was accepted into several state universities, but ultimately ended up going to the University of Oregon. Though something happened with her, and she ended up dropping out and moving in with Justin. Justin had everyone fooled, but not Nathan. Nathan knew Justin was a snake, he could see the signs of a narcissist from a mile away and Justin was definitely a narcissist. Emily used to be so full of life, but slowly he had seen the changes in her. She became less social, her grades had started to slip, their phone calls went from two to three times a week down to once a month and eventually Justin stopped letting Emily come home for visits. Now they only talk maybe once every three months and it's always while Justin is away, if he comes home while they are on the phone she quickly hangs up.

Of course, Emily would defend him saying things like she was too busy (even though she just stays home) she didn't have enough money, their parents would offer to pay for her to come visit but there was always another excuse. Nathan tried to talk to his parents about it and they couldn't see it, they thought he was just swell eating up every line Justin gave them and thinking Emily just needed time to find out who she was, But Nathan new who she was. He had always known, they were twins.

"Hey Em, quit moping around in your room, I want to hang out with my sister"

"I Am NOT MOPING NATHAN! Leave me alone."

"What happened to you Em? Why are you being so distant from me? I'm your brother I know you better than anyone, you've changed since you met Justin Em."

"I said leave me alone Nathan, I just can't right now, Okay?

"Okay Em, I'm just worried about my baby sister, I miss you, you know."

"Nathan I am ten minutes younger than you."

"I know Em, I'm just.... I'm....Here for you, for anything, I hope you know that Em."

"I know Nate, I know, please just leave me alone for now, please."

"Okay Em, I'll see you later."

Emily knew Nathan only wanted to help, but how could he? He wouldn't understand. How can anyone understand not feeling worthy of the person you were head over heels for, feeling like everything you do for that person wasn't enough. Giving in on every fight because you wanted more than anything to make that person happy and yet everything you do was brushed aside like it was nothing.

Emily thought if she came home for a week, it would make Justin realize how much she meant to him. But Justin only made her feel like she didn't love him for going, telling Emily that she only thought about herself and never did anything for him. Flipping every argument around on her making her the bad guy. Emily had texted him a few times and he took hours to reply to her. Texting one-word answers.

Emily was trying to stay strong, but she could only think of him at every moment, and the ache that filled her being was so intense she couldn't escape it. But she didn't want to escape it, she just wanted him to feel the way about her that she felt about him. That would make everything better, all their problems would disappear if only he would love her as much as she loved him.

six days had gone by, and Emily only left her room at night to eat and to sneak into the bathroom, she was starting to feel ripe, she needed to shower but how could she go out and show her face to her family. It was so easy to lie on the phone pretending everything was okay, but it was much harder to do so in person. Nathan only came to the door one more time after he had overheard her arguing with Justin on the phone, she hadn't known Nathan was home, she thought he went out with their parents and in a moment of weakness she called Justin to see if he would say that he missed her.

Emily should have known better, if he missed her, he would have called her. That was on day four. Of course, he did end up saying he missed her and loved her but only after she had asked him if he did. Shaking her head and flinching away from her own weakness she decided to try and sneak into the bathroom for a shower, she gathered grabbed a clean outfit and a towel, all her bathroom supplies and quietly opened her door, no one was in the hall, perfect.

Quietly she snuck down the hall and into the bathroom, she stripped down and turned on the shower. Emily was small of stature five-foot one inch tall and one hundred pounds, she uses to be one hundred and fifteen pounds with an athletic body, but Justin didn't like women with any muscle, even though she still looked very feminine. So, she gave up her kendo and karate for him and limited her meals so she would become slight of frame.

She flinched away at that thought too, all the compromises she gave to Justin, and he did nothing in return for her. slowly she stepped into the shower after the temperature was just right, for a long while she just stood in the hot water letting it run over her medium length brown hair, down her face and back just letting the nothingness hold her for a while. the nothing was painful but not as painful as the ache that was constantly with her. So, for right now, as long as she could, she would hold onto the nothingness.

Emily finally came out of the shower after running out all the hot water and having to finish rinsing the soap off in cold water. she dried and got dressed. As soon as she came out of the bathroom her parents called out to her. "Hey Em, we are cooking steak and asparagus with baked potatoes and a Caesar salad for dinner, it should be ready in twenty minutes."

"Great that's what I was trying to avoid, but I am hungry. And at least I'm clean now. Okay mom I'll be out soon." That was Emily's favorite food after all. No one could make a steak like her dad, and her mom's asparagus was always made just right. Dinner went okay for Emily, thankfully no one asked anything to personal and she could get away with minimal conversation. But Nathan asked her to join him on a mountain bike ride in the morning and not wanting to make excuses she had agreed.

They set out early the next morning, Driving from the capital of Nevada up to Virginia City. They left an hour before sunrise, before it became too hot and they arrived about thirty minutes later, they use live in Virginia City until around middle school when their parents moved them to Carson City the Capitol of Nevada. They used to love riding their mountain bikes in the hills around their old home and Nathan thought it would be a good way to get his sister to open up to him again.

They arrived in the small town that use to be their home and turned down a dirt road slowly driving another couple miles. The drive over was quiet, Emily still being tired. Depression often sapped her energy and made her not want to do a lot and Nathan not wanting to set her off. She tried to tell Nathan she changed her mind that morning, but he wouldn't take no for an answer saying it was the last day they would get to do anything together and he barely had seen her at all. Reluctantly she got out of bed and got dressed for the ride. Finding some of her old clothes still in her closet, she grabbed her gun and headed put it in her old backpack along with a freshly filled bottle of water that she always brought when riding in the mountains.

They unloaded the mountain bikes and started riding down the tail, Emily could tell that Nathan was taking them to their old favorite spot. A small mineshaft tower on top of a mountain that overlooked all of Reno Nevada. The ride was nice in the cool morning air and so far, Emily wasn't regretting going with Nathan, but she knew the questions were coming and she didn't know how to face her brother.

It was a long ride up hill to get to their old spot, made longer because Emily didn't keep in shape and had to stop multiple times to rest. "I'm going to get back in shape I don't care if Justin likes it or not" Emily thought to herself. Finally, they got to the hill that held the old mine tower that overlooked Reno, they parked their bikes at the bottom and started climbing the tower leg structure. The tower has stairs, but they terminate on the bottom end about a fifth of the way up, around forty feet from the bottom.

They got to the crossover section where they could make their way to the stairs and then started the steep stair climb to the top. Once there they both sat on the edge dangling their feet over the rail and holding onto the handrail. They just sat down for a long time, no one speaking. Finally, Nathan spoke. "Hey Em, I know things aren't going well, and well, I want to help but I don't expect you to tell me what's going on. But just know I'm here for you Alway's and nothing will ever change that."

Emily just nodded along, not saying anything. Finally, she just leaned her head on her brother's shoulder and said "Thank you Nathan, and you're right I don't want to speak about what's going on. At least not right now, but can we just stay up here for a while longer sitting in silence? This is really peaceful, and I don't want anything to change yet. I want to burn this view into my mind."

"We can stay up here all-day little sister." The sun had been up for about two hours and the air was warm on them as they just sat there taking in the view. "Do you Want to keep riding? the trail gets a bit more fun on the way back if we go to that peak over there."

"Sure, sounds good big brother." Emily said sarcastically.

They climbed back down the tower and continued their ride. A half hour later they arrived at the top of the peak Nathan had pointed out. "Why did I agree to this again?"

"Because it's going to be awesome!"

"Doesn't feel awesome."

"You're just saying that because you're tired."

"True."

"Look, if we carry enough speed down this hill we can make it across that plateau. It's a different path than how we came here but it's better for the return trip."

"Hey Nathan, let me look around for a bit before we go, okay?"

"Sounds good Em, I usually rest a few minutes at this point anyway."

Emily put the kickstand of her bike down and got off to start looking around. From the top of the peak, she could see her surroundings and saw the path leading down the opposite side of the peak.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Hey Nathan." She called to him. "Have you gone down that path before?"

"Down that side? Yeah, why do you ask?"

"I want to Keep going that way."

"You sure? It gets pretty rough that way, especially for the return trip because we have to come back up this hill or that hill over there. And to be honest there both pretty tough comeing back this way."

"Yeah, I'm sure Nathan. Something about that area looks like it will be soothing to ride through."

"Well, the thing is Em, I don't want to go that way."

"Oh, and why is that BIG Brother." She said -big brother- sarcastically again.

"Oh, it's nothing really."

"Nothing? Then why don't you want to go? Tell me."

"Do you really want to know?"

"Nathan are you afraid of that trail?"

"What? No!"

"Kinda sounds like you are"

"I'm not afraid of it."

"Then why?"

"The thing is, I really don't want to hear you whine at the trip back up these hills."

"Oh, you Butthead!"

"I'm serious."

"Fine, I'll keep all of my Grumbling for my internal monolog."

"You say that now but as soon as we start back up the hill you start cursing me."

"No, I won't, why would I curse you I'm the one who wants to go that way."

"You'll say something like *I never would have decided to come this way if you never made me come this morning* or some other weird female logic."

"Weird female logic? You're a dork, but yeah I probably would do say that."

"See! That's why I don't want to go."

"Okay, no female logic either, I promise."

"Good."

"Good!"

They started going down the hill, the path twisted left and right back and forth. This was made worse by dodging big rocks on the path, but they both had full suspension bike's and could take the bumps when they couldn't avoid them. Now they were really picking up speed, they had to stop dodging all the rock's due to the speed and how loose the ground was getting.

Finally, they started getting near the bottom and could stabilize the bikes under them. Emily let herself go as the path weaved back and forth through the high desert pine trees, just taking it all in. It was soothing to her and she let herself get lost in the feeling. Emily was in the lead with Nathan not too far behind her as they zipped and weaved flowing with the trail.

They came to a clearing in the trees and stopped their bike's. "Let's park the bike's and do a little exploring around here." Emily said.

"From time-to-time Em, you surprise me. I couldn't get you to hang out all week long and finally at the end before you go back, you're full of life just like you use to be."

"I'm sorry Nate, I'll try to be better."

"Nate? You haven't called me that in a long time."

"I haven't been myself in a long time. Over there. Let's go that way." Emily quickly changed the subject.

Emily led the way adjusting the straps on her backpack, she led them up a small hill where she felt the hollow sinking feeling in her chest set in again. In an instant the soothing feeling of the forest was gone, and the endless pit reappeared, she felt empty once again. "Let's go home Nathan." Nathan knew that whatever was haunting Emily had returned, but he didn't argue.

As they started walking away Emily froze and turned around. "Nate do you see that?"

"See what?" Nathan started to say, but before he could fully say it, he saw it. It was something that didn't belong on this planet. It looked like a hole in the air but not circular, it was spherical in shape drawing in everything from all sides. Like a black hole but not black, if he looked close enough, he could see shapes. What looked like a planet but instead of extruding it was intruding. Finally taking his eyes off of it he saw Emily walking up to it, "No Em Don't!" He yelled and ran to stop her but before he got to her, she was gone, and Nathan felt his world changing.

Flashes of light, spinning, then darkness and Nathan passed out. When he woke up his eyes bulged, the sky was red. Nathan was panicking and then he saw it, a small green creature wearing what looked like animal skins and was holding a club in its hand, its eyes were pure red. Nathan started to run, not knowing what he was seeing and he hit an invisible barrier. Then the goblin was upon him.

The goblin swung its club hitting Nathan in the chest, it knocked the wind out of him, but he pushed the green creature away then started running in the opposite direction, looking around he couldn't see Emily anywhere. He started yelling out to her "Emily Emily! Where are you?" Then Bam! He hit another barrier this time it laid him out and he almost lost consciousness again. Nathan started getting up when he was struck by the green creature again.

This time he felt bone break as the club impacted his shoulder. He screamed out in pain but got to his feet. The creature was relentless and started swinging his club again, Nathan dodged back gripping his shoulder, He stepped in and punched the creature in the face, and it fell back.

Nathan started to run again, scared and in pain he was desperate to get away to find his sister. running in yet a third direction he struck the barrier again. Once more the creature was on him this time it broke Nathans leg with the club. Nathan couldn't run anymore, and he tried to crawl away. He looked back at the creature just in time to see the club come down and crush his head. And Nathan knew no more.

Emily heard Nathan yelling to her, but she couldn't stop, she had to see what this thing was. It was more than that though, she didn't feel like she entirely controlled her actions. Like she was being pulled into it, then spinning, darkness and light. the force was too intense, and she passed out.

When Emily woke up, she was in awe, the crimson red sky was breath taking and she basked in it. Looking around she saw the back of what looked like a small green creature. "A Goblin?" Emily thought. Digging in her backpack she pulled out her gun and thumbed the safety. The goblin was holding what looked like a crude spear and suddenly Emily was grateful for all the gun lessons she took and for having it with her.

The goblin turned around and Emily saw its eyes, pure red like it was filled with hate, it started running at her and she put two rounds in its chest killing it instantly. Out of nowhere pain racked her body there was nothing left on her that wasn't in pain every finger and toe, even fingernails and toenails were in pain. Her head was splitting her eyesight blurry. Even more than that it felt like her very soul was being torn apart.

She could feel it being shredded and put back together stretching and pulling, tearing and healing. The pain was so great that she thought she would pass out. Mixed in with the pain was something else, a sense of pleasure but as suddenly as it came on it passed. Everything was new to Emily, the things she could now see and hear, the things she could feel even though she wasn't touching them. It was all new and wonderful.

The strength she could feel flowing threw her was exhilarating and she lost herself in this new feeling. "What was that creature I just killed? Did this happen because I killed it? was it really a goblin?" Looking for the goblin she didn't see it but she felt something where it was. walking up to it she saw three vials, one red, one blue and one purple.

If killing the goblin made me stronger what will these do? With no further questioning she drank the purple vial. She could feel herself vibrating and three different parts trying to merge together. the pain set in growing and growing, building in intensity. It was so great that she couldn't hang onto consciousness, and she passed out.

When she woke up there was no pain, and nothing obvious she could tell was different. "I don't want to do that two more times." uncorking the red and blue vial's she drank them both at the same time. The backlash of that was intense her body and soul were in tremendous pain, feeling new... organs? are they new body parts? She couldn't tell. not of the physical she knew but of the spiritual. Just as she thought she could make sense of it, she passed out again.

Emily woke up sometime later and looked around. "Nathan, Nathan! Where are you." she called out. Again and again, she called out to him but no answer, "Why didn't I think about him sooner? Hopefully he didn't come into this reality, but knowing Nathan he was right on my heels chasing after me, but why didn't we arrive here together?"

Out of know where Emily felt three things in her new sense coming right for her, her thoughts became focused and she readied her pistol, twelve rounds in my magazine two shots fired already ten shots left plus one more magazine in my backpack. The first creature came into view, another goblin, waiting for the goblin to get in range she took aim. Finally, she squeezed the trigger two shots rang out in rapid succession dropping the goblin.

The next goblin was just coming into view, and she ran closer as she could feel the third was coming from the opposite direction and she didn't want to be taken from behind while engaging with the second. she stopped, took aim and just as she was about to fire was hit with a wave of essence from her first kill. She missed both shots as the essence flowed into her. quickly she fired two more and this time the goblin went down. "It must not have died right away" she said out loud to herself. running up to the downed goblin she shot it in its head causing the essence to flow immediately into her. "Looks like I was right, I get EXP or something like it when they die."

Just then an arrow sailed just past her head and she scrambled to clear the goblins line of fire. Looking around he saw a tree and took cover behind it. "Where the hell are you?" she couldn't see the goblin at all, if this was a goblin that is, but remembering her new sense she tried to feel for the goblin, but it wasn't where she thought it would be, instead the goblin had a clear line on her and she felt the arrow already flying straight at her.

Quickly she moved to the side and the arrow lodged itself in the tree right where she was leaning against, she returned fire on the goblin firing three times but all three missed. It was enough to make the goblin take cover though and Emily used that time to grab her second magazine out of her pack. She only had two shots left in this one and she wanted to be prepared just in case she had to shoot from farther away.

Ten yards was her maximum range for any kind of accurate grouping, farther than that and it became more luck than skill. Another arrow flew past her, and she cursed herself for losing track of where the goblin had gone. feeling once more for the goblin she located it and had a clear shot but a bit outside of her range, she squeezed twice pop pop the gun sang out, but she missed, thumbing the mag eject she slide her other magazine in and released the slide.

reloaded and feeling confident she jumped out from her cover and ran for the goblin, never keeping a straight line, she dodged left and right as arrow after arrow flew at her, finally she felt close enough to take aim and she squeezed off two more shots killing the goblin instantly. then she noticed something, "Pain? From where? She looked to her left arm and saw an arrow had sprouted from it. screaming she ripped it out and her arm started to gush blood. something in her told her to focus on the red vial and what it gave her. "A health pool? No that's not right, its completely full so if it was a health pool this injury would have lowered it."

As soon as she thought about her injury, she felt the pool empty and flow to it healing it fully, it took nearly all of the pool, but the wound was gone. Suddenly she felt something she hadn't felt before, an invisible barrier that she didn't know was trapping her suddenly released and was gone. "Well, that's a bit weird but saving that for later I want to see if those goblins left anything for me like the first one did." As she approached her fallen foe, she saw it break apart into dark smoke and leaving behind five quarter sized silver coins.

"Money? You're leaving me money? I feel like I got ripped off after what the first goblin left, although if that's real silver then at least I can buy more bullets, there not cheap you know. Speaking of where am I? Why is the sky red? And where the Hell is my brother!" Emily went to where she killed the other two goblins and collected the coins from them, the rang out to her new sense and she could "see" them clearly with it. When she grabbed the last coin she paused and inspected, "I know they are weird monster coins, but it feels like I can" Poof all of the sudden the coins disappeared, and she instantly could feel where they had gone and how to retrieve them. "Well, that's convenient."

She quickly tried to store her backpack but only felt the coins go into that space. Well at least I won't have to hear them jingle while I'm looking for my brother. With her gun ready Emily started walking back to where her and Nathan left their bikes, hoping that he would be there waiting for her.