If you missed the last one, here it is!
Part 9
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I was on my back and the insides of my eyelids were
bright red, like I was waking up next to a window on a sunny morning. I
squished them closed tight and put my hands over my face to try to block out
the light. I felt sleepy and just wanted to finish my dream about the bookstore
and Theo gone missing, I wanted to know what happened next. I knew I wouldn’t
be able to fall asleep again, but decided to rest for a while. A few more minutes of lying here won’t hurt,
right? I thought to myself.
As I lay there, my other senses triggered an alarm in my
head. I listened, and heard water running and birds chirping. Had I left the TV on? I sniffed and an
earthy, floral scent filled my nose. I moved my hands away from my closed eyes
and put them down by my sides, and I felt leaves and grass. What? My eyes shot
open and I sat straight up.
I was in a forest clearing, a stream flowing through the
woods outside the grassy oasis.
“Well, took you long enough,” a deep masculine voice
said.
“Ahh!” I shrieked and jumped up, looking around. Not far
from me, a man sat on the ground, leaning against a tree. He was handsome, had
tousled dark brown hair that fell in his eyes, which were blue. He stood, and
proved to be tall and muscular. He was good-looking, yes, but what caught my
eye was what he was wearing. He had leather cuffs on his wrists, an ivory
colored loose shirt that laced down the neck a few inches, brown leather boots
and brown snug pants.
“Oh for crying out loud, I’ve been kidnapped by a
Renaissance actor. Okay, what’s the deal? Is this a dream? And if it isn’t, who
the heck are you? And where are we? If you try anything, I’ll kill you. I’m a
New Yorker you know.” I stood up tall, but took a step back, ready to sprint if
necessary.
And that’s when I noticed it. I was wearing pants today. I looked down, and there it was: a dress.
Not just any dress, but a sparkly royal purple Renaissance dress, puffy
shoulder sleeves and all. I had been to a local fair a few times, enough to
know that this dress was not for the peasants. I felt my hair, which was loose
and curly. I had no pockets and no purse, which also meant no cell phone, no
money and no ponytail holders.
“What the..?” I put my hands out, speechless. I looked
across the clearing. Mystery Man just stood there, an irritating grin across
his face. “What?” I asked, grumpy.
“Nothing. I’m just amused.”
“Lovely. I’m glad I can entertain you. Who are you
anyway?” I humphed and crossed my sequined
arms in front of me. I was pretty sure if this guy was going to hurt me, he
would have done it already.
“I’m Finley, but everyone calls me Finn. I’m here to help.”
I noticed he had no Renaissance accent, and spoke like your average northeastern
American.
“Well, Finn, you’re going to have to help me figure out what is going on then, because I have no idea.
What’s the deal?” I watched him, gauging his personality, trying to figure him
out.
“I’m not really sure where you want me to start, but I’ll
do my best. You’re part of an elite group of people called Librum Desultor.
Loosely translated, it means ‘book jumper’ and there’s no rhyme or reason as to
who can do it. Sometimes it runs in families and sometimes it doesn’t. Your
ancestors might have also had this ability. Right now you’re inside a book
called As Knight Falls, yes that’s with
a ‘k’.” I made a face at the word play, and Finn continued. “And it’s set in
the Renaissance period. So you were right about the time period, wrong about me
kidnapping you.”
“Ummmm…Yeah. You stay here, I’m going to find the police.
See ya!” I turned around, but stopped as I searched the woods, trying to decide
which direction to go. I had no idea where I was or what was near, so wherever
I decided to head would be a guess. I turned back to Finn.
“Where are you going to go? There are no big cities here,
and the chance you’ll choose the path to the hamlet is slim. There are no
police, just the king’s army, and they will lock you up or hang you for insanity
or witchcraft. Do you want my help or not?” He watches me, knowing I have no
choice but to let him help me.
“Wait, how do you know my name? You know what? Never
mind. I don’t even care. Okay, Muscles. I just want to get back to my cozy
little New York apartment. Can you make that happen?”
“Not necessarily, but I will do my best. And Finn will
do, Your Highness.” He picked up a satchel on the ground near the tree, and
headed into the woods. “Hurry up, Princess, your court awaits you.”
I hurried after him, and when I caught up I asked, “I’m
Lily, by the way. What do you mean by Princess?”
“In this book, my lady, you are Princess Isabelle.” He
stopped walking, turned and took a deep bow. He turned back to his path and
continued walking.
“Oh no. This cannot be happening. I am the least graceful
or social person in existence. I don’t know how to be a princess. This day
can’t get any worse.” But it did.
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Okay, have a great weekend everyone! Thanks for stopping by!
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