I woke up to the sound of a loud crash from below the tower. Somewhere, people were shouting. I pulled myself up into a sitting position, distributing dirt as I moved my legs and wings. My bones ached and my neck cracked as I adjusted it side to side. A sharp pain surged through my head, and I pressed my palm against my forehead. Dust particles floated as the morning sunlight beamed through the broken window, casting a warm glow on my face. I had cried myself to sleep, not caring how I positioned myself for the night on the floor, and began to regret my negligence. Upon the realization of all the terror of being alone, I knew that I was the only one I could rely on—I couldn’t fail myself now.

  Why does it hurt so much?

  I stood up in the small, abandoned area, afraid I would begin to cry again as my aching heart pounded within my chest, and I realized the pain was not only physical. I stretched my afflictive body by twisting my back and moving my neck around. I extended my wings and a severe shock of pain went through my muscles. I had slept with my wings sprawled out on the dirty floor. I shook them out, distributing massive amounts of dirt into the air, and pain continued to spike through my body. With trembling legs, I stepped over to the broken window and peered out. The city was bustling once again with crowds of moving residents pushing their carts, shouting out, and the low rumble of the area slightly shook the abandoned tower. I scanned the area, trying to notice anything that looked familiar, wondering how far I had ventured into the city.

  Maybe if I could just find my way back to the forest entrance, I could—

  The aching of my soul caused me to gasp as my thoughts of escape from the city began to formulate. How could I give up on finding Lillie now? Was I really that incapable? How could I resolve to leave without finding the truth about Lillie?

  But how could I ever find the answer?

  She could be anywhere! You’re nothing but an outsider—the savage from the mountain who doesn’t understand this world.

  Perhaps she was busy with work, or could have been avoiding her parents last night. Maybe she was with her friends—her real friends that understood her.

  I’ll just return to the meadow next full moon and wait. If she doesn’t come—well…

  Like a sinking rock cast into a lake, the cold depths like water overwhelmed my body, causing my stomach to ache and induce nausea. I knew that I was helpless and alone in the city. I did not know anyone besides Lillie, and it was obvious that even the people who knew her—parents, those women at the market, the neighbors—had no intention of helping me find her. Yet, why would they? They didn’t know me—it was obvious that Lillie kept me hidden from her world.

  Was it to preserve herself from the discrimination of others? Was it to keep me a secret out of shame or guilt? Did she see me as an escape from this city, living in her own fantasy world within the meadow?

  As my heart plummeted further into the concepts of sinking within a mountain lake, I realized I also saw Lillie as the same. I allowed my fantasies to run wild, but kept her hidden from the world as a Teragane. I wasn’t willing to tell the others—not even Cami. Was it out of shame? Fear?

  It was reasonable, no one would ever accept an outsider in my—

  Oh—of course. Lillie and I were the same. We have our reasons according to tradition and cultures. Fantasies were only for dreaming, not reality.

  So. I really was a fool after all this time. Lost in a dream I was bound to wake up sooner rather than later.

  I had no idea how hot a fire can burn when played with. That must be the reason a Sage was to return for further guidance.

  I looked at my filthy clothes. My cloak in its various layers twisted around, and I straightened it, tucking the ends back into my belt. I did my best to brush off the dirt, and the air filled with dust again, inducing a coughing fit. Accepting my state of uncleanliness, I disregarded my current physical state and instead scanned the outside area once again. Up in the storage room, I was high up, but there were many bridges ahead, tree branches, and overbearing structures that made flying above impossible. I could not see any clearing anywhere and did not want to risk crashing through anything lurking above. The streets that weaved through the labyrinth and led out of the towering buildings were my best option to leave.

  Maybe if I get back to that market area, I can fly straight up and out of this city. Or perhaps I will locate a clear opening while I’m walking. Or I can find my way back to the wooded forest and return to the meadow, like how I came.

  Somewhat satisfied with my plans, I exited the abandoned storage room, gliding down to the street. I walked along the paths, and again, received the negative onlooker’s disapproval of my presence. This time, I did not make myself more approachable nor friendly-looking. I resolved to only return the glaring looks with my own stern eyes. This helped ease my disposition, creating a sense of control over my hopeless situation. I felt less intimidated by the locals, allowing myself to be the one with the threatening aura.

  These people think I’m a savage anyway.

  At times, I glanced up ahead, looking for an opening. The narrow buildings and prevalent overhead bridges crossing from many different angles made it impossible to find a safe area to exit from above. The density of the city created too many risks of hurting my wings if I tried flying extensively. Just the day before, I felt curious to observe the looming structures. Now, I detested it all. The windows glowing with firelight caused me to hate the orange fire, missing the blue flames that existed in my home. How could I ever see a fire the same way?

  “Hey, watch it!” a man shouted as my wing brushed against him as he pushed past me, and I simply grunted and narrowed my wings.

  “Teraganes,” the man snarled. “What does he think he’s doing pushing around us Tamarines?”

  “Go back to your mountains, ya savage,” another hissed from behind.

  Tamarine? I guess I never cared to know what these people were called. Why didn’t Lillie ever tell me?

  A new emotion evolved in my heart. My anger turned to hate. I began to hate those men snarling behind my back. I hated the way the women looked at me. I hated these people. I hated every last one of them.

  The anger I felt when I faced Bene began to build up in my body. My muscles tensed, and a terrible feeling of wanting to hurt them overcame me. They were so cruel to me for no reason. I hated Marie for only caring about stupid fish. I hated Bene for calling me a distraction to Lillie. I hated everyone. I hate—

  “Hey!” a woman called out behind me. I ignored her and kept walking, lowering my head as I had no desire to speak with anyone who would only slander or push me around. Yet, deeply, I was afraid of hurting someone.

  “Hey! You!” she cried again, her voice drawing near. A hand grabbed my arm, and I spun around with a snarling expression, and she stepped back after releasing her grip.

  “Whoa there,” she said, and I softened my eyes, recognizing her.

  “You? I met you yesterday,” I said. The rise of anger began to slowly subside and my hands lowered to my side as her rounding cheeks glowed. Her skin was relatively clean, unlike the other day, and her front covering was slung over her shoulders.

  “Hey, I didn’t mean to startle you,” she replied. “I just wanted to know if you got to see Lillie. You—you okay?”

  Lillie—the reason I was in this horrible city in the first place. As if I were no longer a sinking rock, but a fish rising to the surface to feel the warmth of the sun from above, hope began to fill my heart.

  “No,” I said, causing the woman’s face to suddenly grow solemn, and a look of concern welled in her expression.

  “Oh, don’t tell me you went to the wrong house,” she said jokingly. “I know the city is one easy to get lost in, especially for a newcomer.”

  “No, I met Bene and Marie. They told me that Lillie was at work, and I was not welcome.”

  “Oh.” Her eyes widened as she spotted something behind me. “Hurry, come with me.” She suddenly grabbed me, leading me to a nearby building. I looked past my shoulder and saw three large figures approaching. The woman pulled me under an awning, behind a giant pile of firewood.

  “Get down,” she whispered. The concern in her voice worried me, and I obeyed, lowering my figure behind the stack of firewood. She stayed standing, casually leaning against the wall as she watched the three large figures move past the area. I felt the ground vibrate as they stomped through the streets. As the woman’s eyes followed the passing villagers, I stayed crouched, feeling curious, yet alarmed at the unknown reason why she was hiding me from the people walking by.

  The woman was much older than Lillie, well into her adult years. Her undertones were noticeable under her gray skin, and her pointed ears were smooth and slightly pink at the tips. She had light brown hair that she styled in several braids that was twisted into a bun. Her earthy-tone blouse was relatively clean, as was the covering, and I wondered if she were heading to work like many of the others I could only assume as they pushed through the city. Yesterday, the people’s clothing were filthy, covered in foreign substances. From the small bits of observation, the city people were rather clean in attire.

  “It’s okay,” she said as she casted her hazel eyes upon me. “You can get up.” I stood up and peered down the street from behind the stack of firewood. The three large figures were beginning to turn a corner, but I saw their greenish-hued skin, massive bodies covered in spiked leather, and the formidable swaying wooden clubs at their sides.

  “Who are they?” I asked, shocked at seeing such giant beings walking through the city.

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Those are Keepers,” the woman said while casually picking at the firewood. “They are nothing but trouble. You do not want to run into them.” Loud noises came from the streets in which the Keepers had turned into, and suddenly a crash of splintering wood echoed from the hidden area. Were these the men Bene threatened to force me out?

  Good thing I didn’t linger at the house.

  “Anyway,” the woman continued in a low voice. “They are the least of your worries right now. So, Bene and Marie. Did they say anything about Lillie?”

  “Only that she was at work,” I said. “But I don’t know if that is entirely true.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “I—uh—I just felt like something was off. They were hostile towards me when I questioned where she was. I questioned her safety, causing Bene to become angry with me. They refused to tell me anything about her wellbeing, claiming I was a distraction and she had no time for me. Yet—Marie, she seemed distraught, was even crying. I—if I could just speak with Lillie, hear from her myself, then…” My voice trailed off, and the woman raised a thin brow, then turned to look down the street again, seemingly agitated as she picked aggressively at the wood.

  “Did you say that they said Lillie was at work?” she asked with a low voice.

  “Yes. Marie allowed me to wait for Lillie to return home from work, but when Bene arrived, she—she changed. Do you know where Lillie works? Where she is? Can I see her?”

  “Look, stranger,” she said while eying me. “Why is Lillie’s wellbeing so concerning for ya? Huh? Who are you? I thought you were just some fishmonger here for trade. You seem a lot more friendly than that.”

  “My name is Sable von Hira, and I’ve known Lillie for many years. We are friends, often meeting together on a regular basis outside of the forest. Yesterday—no, the day before—we were supposed to meet. But she never showed up. That is unlike Lillie. After all these years, Lillie has never missed a reunion. I’m afraid…”

  “Go on.”

  “I’m afraid something has happened.” The woman looked around once again. I also looked down the street. I did not see any alarming figures approaching—only some villagers passed by. I looked back at the woman; she bit her lip and then looked at me.

  “Ok, Sable von Hira,” she said, bobbing her head as she said my name. “I am also worried about Lillie.”

  Finally.

  “Actually, my brother and Lillie work together,” she said. “I know sometimes the hours can be extended, so I just assumed that Jamie hadn’t returned because of that. Or, the troublemaker scampered off like he does sometimes. But, yesterday, I saw Bene walking alone, and now I am feeling slightly anxious about the reason why Jamie, or Lillie, hasn’t returned home, especially after what you said.”

  “Do you think they ran into trouble at their work?”

  “I don’t know. But, maybe.”

  “Maybe? Maybe what?”

  “Er! I don’t know. Honestly, my brother tends to get himself into trouble. But it’s not like Lillie to be missing for too long.”

  “What do you mean by too long?”

  “I don’t know. Sometimes she just disappears, especially on the full moon, usually in the forest or something. However, she should have returned from work yesterday. And Jamie normally smokes with Bene in the evenings. So, I thought for sure you’d run into both of them last night.”

  “I did not see anyone else at the house, only Bene and Marie.”

  As the woman began chewing on the tip of her thumbnail, she grumbled, speaking lowly, causing me to feel even more anxious to know about Lillie—especially now that someone else was concerned for her disappearance.

  “This doesn’t make any sense,” she grumbled, then looked down the street. “Where are those two? Why now?” I shifted my position, feeling uneasy with what the woman was saying. I did not remember Lillie talking about Jamie nor his sister—who was this Jamie?

  “Tell me where Lillie and your brother work,” I said, feeling my eyes narrow at the thought some man was also missing—with her. “I will find out for myself where they are.”

  “I don’t know. It’s not proper to meddle with other people’s affairs,” she replied. “Lillie hates when I get all involved.”

  “What if she’s in danger? I only care about finding Lillie. I don’t mind participating in unacceptable behavior, as long as I can confirm her whereabouts, her safety. That is all I desire. I know that something isn’t right.”

  “What if—oh, no he wouldn’t do that. Oh, jeesh, if they’re still at work then maybe it’s just—Hey, Thabias!”

  “What? Just what? Tell me where to go so I can find Lillie, please!” I looked over at a young boy approaching down the street, and the woman beckoned for him.

  “You really do care about her?” she said while looking up at me with glimmering hazel eyes. “Alright, go find Lillie and make sure she’s safe. And my brother, too, please. I worry about what trouble he’s gotten himself into. Maybe he’s the cause of all this, hopefully not. But—I’d rather he be the cause than—uh, something else.”

  “Yes, of course. Where should I go?” I asked, easing my voice, although unsure what to think about this brother who seemed to be a trouble maker. She stepped out from underneath the awning, meeting the young boy in the middle of the street and began speaking to him as she dragged him over by the firewood pile.

  “I don’t have time for—hey, ouch!” the boy jeered as the woman tightened her grab on his shoulder.

  “You still don’t know where Jamie or Lillie are?” she asked as she stared intensely at him, and squirmed from under her death grip.

  “Ouch, let go of me!” he exclaimed. “I already told you; I don’t know! No one tells me anything.”

  “Then, please, take this man with you,” she said, and the boy, Thabias, widened his eyes as I moved out from behind the wood pile. He gasped with an expression of one most displeased, turning his face again.

  “Lara, are you crazy? Who is this?” he exclaimed. The woman, who apparently was called Lara, leaned near his pointed ear and whispered something I could not hear. She tightened her grip on his shoulder, and he winced again.

  “Okay, fine, but stop hurting me,” Thabias said while shaking his arm away from her.

  “Good,” she said, then nodded, pleased with herself, then she turned to face me. “Follow Thabias. He’ll lead you the way.” Thabias had already started walking away, and I hurried after him.

  “Thank you, Lara!” I shouted.

  “Think nothing of it. Just find Lillie and Jamie. Don’t take no for an answer, and, for goodness’ sake, stay away from the Keepers!”

  As my feet and heart skipped, I followed Thabias who refused to speak to me. He weaved around the city like Lara had once done in the market, successfully dodging others, and moving swiftly through the labyrinth with fluid experience.

  I did not know what to expect, nor had I any idea what I was getting into. My perspective was hopeless not long ago, ready to leave the city and give up on finding Lillie. My mind had felt fuzzy, and I could not think of any real solution or plan. However, Lara gave me new hope. She gave me confidence that there were still people who cared about helping. I was lucky once again to be sought out by Lara, a friend who actually cared about Lillie. Why was she seemingly more concerned about Lillie’s wellbeing than her parents were? Was that the truth? Were Bene and Marie hiding something? If so, why? And why had she not returned from work? Did something happen? If so, what could I do? And why was she scared of these so-called Keepers? What kind of bullies were those guys?

  Floods of thoughts overwhelmed my mind as I followed the young boy, and I began to ponder about Lara’s description of her brother. Why was a troublemaker, as she so delicately explained, also missing? Were Lillie and Jamie missing together? Did something happen at work? Or, did Jamie pose a threat to Lillie’s wellbeing?

  The thought of a man bringing harm to Lillie once again brought anger to rise—an anger worthy of inflicting pain against anyone who would harm Lillie.

  “This way,” Thabias suddenly said as he took a sharp turn around a building, and I skipped to catch up. Lost in my thoughts, focused only on following his figure, I did not realize we had reached the end of the city and were facing the forest. Thabias walked through an archway that led into the forest, similar to the one I first found when I first entered Cedrus City. However, this exit from the forest led to a wide dirt path trodden heavily by many travelers. Dust of boots scattered around, and more workers began to emerge from the city from behind and ahead of us.

  We were surrounded by the giant cedar trees, but, thankfully, there were no more buildings, only wandering men and women with dark circles under their eyes. The air was fresh, again, but the parade of quiet people caused an unnerving sensation as I crept closer to Thabias’ side.

  He carried a leather satchel strung over his shoulder, and I recognized his leather trousers as ones worn by Lillie’s father. His brown tunic had many mending patches, and his boots were large—too large for someone so young. I observed his brown hair, noticing the short length as his braids were only down to his shoulder. Then, I noticed a rather deep scar on his face, between his eye and ear, and wondered what pain this young man had suffered.

  “What business do you have visiting Cedrus City?” Thabias asked. The forest trail rumbled with boots stomping upon the ground, and only a few other people grumbled to each other. Surprisingly, no one seemed bothered at my presence. Maybe it was too early in the morning for them to realize I was even there.

  “I came to trade fish and to meet up with Lillie,” I replied, deciding to keep my story simple and believable. I dared not give details of the meadow or who I really was to Lillie.

  “How do you know Lillie?” he asked as his exhausted eyes darted up at me as I walked next to him.

  “Forest friends, I guess.”

  “Figures. She’s always making friends wherever she goes.”

  “Are you friends?”

  “Pffff.” Thabias huffed air from his mouth. “I’ve known her since we were kids, but I don’t think of her as a friend. More like a nuisance for a neighbor.”

  “Oh! You live near her. So, you’re from the same neighborhood.” I felt excited to finally understand something about the strange world that Lillie once explained to me. However, I also remembered his name—and Lillie’s disdain for him as a neighbor.

  “Duh, that’s what a neighbor means.”

  “Oh—yes. I thought it could also mean something else. Like someone who doesn’t live exactly next to you, but just in proximity, like from the same area, the same neighborhood.”

  “Yeah, whatever.”

  “Just making sure I fully understand.”

  “Okay….whatever.”

  “So, you don’t know anything about Lillie or Jamie going missing?”

  “I already told Lara.” He sneered under his breath while turning his face away, and his scarred face tensed. “I don’t know anything. I work in a completely different area than Lillie or Jamie. If anyone would know, it would be Bene, you know, since he’s like her dad.”

  “Yes. I already spoke with him. But he refused to tell me.”

  “Ah—so you’re the mountain savage Bene spoke about last night.”

  “Last night? You spoke with Bene?” Thabias paused his footsteps and grabbed my arm as he nervously allowed some people to pass by us. He looked further down the winding forest trail, and I followed his gaze. All the people looked the same to me, at this point, but, for a moment, I thought I caught sight of Bene turning the corner of the forest trail.

  “Look, I don’t wanna get involved. I already have enough troubles as it is with my family. I can’t lose my job, I literally just started. But—” Thabias paused, and another group of people passed by, some lifted their slouched heads for a moment, but walked by without further comment. He released his hand on my arm, and we began walking again.

  “But?” I asked, feeling my heart race within my chest at the realization that this boy was with Bene after I had been thrown out.

  “I don’t want to admit this, but, Lillie has always been there for me and my family. I’d hate to see something happen to her.”

  “So, you also think there’s something wrong?”

  “I don’t know! Just—Bene acted weird last night—thought it was just you disturbing his peace. But, it’s not like Jamie to skip a smoke night. But, who knows, maybe those two scampered away together. I—I don’t know.”

  “You think Jamie and Lillie ran off together?”

  “Look, I said I don’t wanna get involved and those two can do as they want.” We turned around a corner and the sunlight beamed through the trees, allowing mist and particles to glisten in the beams. Yet, somehow, no light of the sun could warm my sinking heart. “However, Lillie is always disappearing. Who knows where that girl goes these days.”

  “So, why do you think Jamie is involved?”

  “It’s not usual for him to disappear or for Bene to show fear.”

  “I see.” As we trekked further into the woods and our conversation faded to the low rumbling of boots traversing, the unraveling of the mysteries only intensified, especially as I looked ahead, noticing a cave entrance that the people were filing through.

  “A cave? You work in a cave?” I asked, and Thabias scoffed.

  “No, stupid,” Thabias grunted. “A mine.”

  A what?