District 17

Skylar gasped when Eva pulled her soul from the body of Skylar Greystoke. She stared at Eva and a smile cracked her lips. “Yes, it’s me.” She grinned. Skylar wrapped her arms tightly around Eva. “I was afraid I wouldn’t ever get to speak to you again.” She whispered as she clung to Eva. “I’m along for the ride, I can’t control her…” She pulled back as Eva stated that she needed to leave. When Eva left the room Skylar melted back into the body of Skylar Greystoke.

Skylar tensed and grit her teeth as the two spirits collided. “Hey…are you okay?” Dr. Grieves placed her hand on Skylar’s shoulder. “What’s wrong? Are you in pain?” She watched as Skylar’s heartrate jumped up.

“I’m…o-okay…” She choked out, when the two souls combined it was a bit uncomfortable for a few moments, but nothing more.

Eva….she’s okay…I’m sorry about that…I didn’t mean to hurt you…I’ll be more careful next time…

“It’s okay…” Skylar spoke to the voice in her head.

**

Ayla grinned and gently placed her hand against Eva’s shoulder. When Eva demanded to be in the same room with Skylar she gave a nod. “Yes, I can do that, no problem.” She gave a sweet smile, “You saved my friend after all, Eva.” Everyone had cleared the room by this point. She clicked a few things and hung the iv bags from the bed. The phone on the wall began to ring. “Just a moment.” She turned and lifted the receiver from the wall. “Dr. Sarálonde.” She fell silent, she looked over to Eva with a troubled expression, “Are you sure?” She asked and then was silent once more as the technician on the other end of the phone spoke. “Jack can you run the tests again, please? What if the machine malfunctioned. That’s impossible.” She placed her hand on her hip and leaned against the wall slightly as she listened once more. “Okay, well….um….” She sighed heavily as she thought for a moment, “Run more tests Jack, see if you can find the closest match, use that match and combine the two together and make sure that the cells do not lyse. Okay? If that works I want a bag send to room 1084….” She furrowed her brows, “Yes, I’m aware that is on the other side of the hospital, Jack. Our good friend that was also involved in this mess was with this young lady when this happened to her….just let me know if you find anything.” She hung up the phone and came to the side of the bed.

Ayla stared to Eva for a long moment. “Everything about you defies everything that I have been taught, everything that I have learned.” She spoke softly. “First you were there, a miracle, you saved Skylar, you managed to cause us to jump to the front doorstep of the hospital, and not just any hospital, the only hospital in town with the equipment to handle Skylar’s injuries…” Alya clicked the brakes loose on the bed. She checked the IV lines and let out a soft chuckle. “Then, when all odds are against you, when I have not a clue in the world what is going wrong with you, you nearly die in this very bed and now look at you.” She gave a crooked smile, “Oh, and the icing on the top of the cake?” She began to push the bed, “Your blood type, it doesn’t exist.” Ayla pushed Eva out into the hallway then and into the service elevator, a few of the nurses gave a pat to Dr. Sarálonde as she passed them. She was silent in the elevator for a moment, she stood at the side of the bed, looking over Eva. “As hard as it is for me to swallow, Eva. I believe you when you say you are from another dimension, when you speak of magic. It really, as crazy as it sounds the only explanation for everything that has happened tonight.” She leaned heavily against the bed as she waited for the elevator to reach the 10th floor. “I’m so exhausted…” She whispered finally, “I’ve been awake for….” She paused and looked to the watch on her wrist. “Twenty eight hours….” She muttered as the elevator chimed and she pushed the bed into the hallway. She snaked through the halls and eventually came to the room that the others were in.

Ayla pushed the bed in and with the help of Dr. Grieves they positioned the two beds next to each other. Skylar looked to Eva, she studied her for a long moment and then gave a smile. “Eva.” She spoke softly. “You saved me.” She had a black eye, a bruise on her jaw, a cut on her brow. But she was there, she was alive. “Thank you.” She reached her hand over and gave a weak squeeze on Eva’s arm.

Ayla gave a smile as she watched the two. She sat down next to Ren and leaned her head against her shoulder. Her eyes heavy as the adrenaline in her system began to run out. The sun was beginning to peak up over the horizon outside now. The snow had stopped for the moment, leaving the city in a beautiful white blanket. Dr. Grieves checked a few things on the machines and then gave a nod. “Skylar.” She stepped to the side of her bed. “I’ve got to get going to my other patients rooms.” She looked to her husband and gave a smile. “I’m sure if you need anything you’ve got plenty of help here. If anything I would most definitely trust Dr. Sarálonde with my life.” She pat Ayla’s shoulder. Ayla’s eyes fluttered open and she gave a tired smile. “I’ll see you at home my love.” She gave Blake a kiss before she left the room to tend to her other patients before her shift was over for the day.

Ayla watched as Eva teleported through the room, a look of awe on her face. It was incredible to see the display of power. Of something that was completely impossible, something that she wouldn’t believe if anyone else told her it happened. “This means, that the fairy tales we were told as children are, or once were true.” She rubbed her eyes tiredly, she had been jarred awake when Ren stood to shut the door. She stood slowly and leaned against the end of Eva’s bed and helped her put her legs up on the bed. She pulled on a pair of gloves and grabbed a few things from a near by cabinet. She started a new IV line and hooked everything back up to her. After a few minutes she let out a sigh. “Please, Eva, stay in your bed, you need these fluids.” She spoke softly.

“I can feel the other soul.” Skylar spoke, she placed her hand on her temple. “She actually saved me. She pushed me to walk to the street after I was attacked. She led me right to Eva…” She looked to Eva then with a smile on her lips. “She thinks very highly of you, from what I’ve seen, I can see why.” She let out a soft laugh and then winced from the pain in her side.

Alya returned to her chair, she leaned her head back against the wall, fighting to stay awake. She pulled her knees up to her chest in the large comfy sofa chair and curled slightly as she began to fall back asleep.

Skylar looked to her with sad eyes, “Ren…” She whispered softly. “Take poor Ayla home.” She said softly, “Dr. Grieves will take care of Eva and I.”

Ayla opened her eyes when Skylar spoke, she shook her head slightly. “No, Sky.” She forced her body to sit up, her eyelids were growing heavier by the second. “I want to be here.” She whispered softly. Her phone began to ring. She groaned slightly and held the phone to her ear as she answered it. “Dr. Sarálonde…” She spoke softly.

Skylar pushed herself up into a sitting position and winced before she lay back against the bed again. Her abdomen hurt where Dr. Grieves had searched and retrieved all of the bullet fragments. She let out a soft whimper and her eyes fluttered. Her body was tired and doing its best to heal her.

Just relax. If you get up you’re going to hurt yourself.

Ayla watched Skylar like a hawk as she gave nod to her phone. “Perfect, thank you Jack.” She spoke before she hung up. She smiled and stood. She came to the end of Eva’s bed. “I have good news for you. Jack has found an ideal candidate for blood for you. The bag is already on the way. It will help, trust me.” She turned and looked to Ren with exhausted eyes. “Sky is right…” She bowed her head slightly. “I can’t keep myself awake much longer.” She looked to her bloody jacket that was slung over the back of a chair still. She sighed slightly before she came to Skylar’s side. She leaned down and hugged her gently. “Stay strong, Sky.” She whispered, “I’ll be back in a few hours after I get some rest, okay?”

Skylar gave a gentle smile, “Okay, Ayla.” She hugged back, “Thank you.”

Ayla took a step back. She drew her brows together, “Your father.” She spoke softly as she turned and dug through Skylar’s pockets in her bloodied parka. She pulled her phone out and handed it to her. “You need to call him.” She gave a nod.

Skylar looked to the phone for a moment and gave a nod. She clicked her password into the lighted screen and flipped around the screens until she held the device up to her ear. “Mom?” She asked after a moment of silence.

Ayla grasped Ren’s hand after she pat Blake on the shoulder. She pulled her from the room to take her home. They would need to catch a cab to Ren’s coupe.

“Honey are you okay? It’s barely 7 in the morning. What’s going on?” Her mother’s voice came through the phone.

Skylar winced and clicked the phone off of speaker. “Mother, I…I’m okay, I was shot….”

“What?! Where are you?!” Her mother gasped through the phone loudly.

Skylar held the phone away from her ear and shut her eyes, “I’m at Northward, I’m in the ICU…Dr. Grieves is taking good care of me, and Ayla and Ren just left. I’m okay, mom….” She paused as she listened to her mother from the other end.

**

A few hours passed before the clicking of heels came down the hallway. Her mother rushed into the room. She wore a beautiful dress as she rushed to her daughter’s side. “Skylar.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Oh my baby.” She hugged herself to her daughter.

Skylar let out a cry. “Mom….you’re hurting me…” She said through grit teeth.

“Oh…dear…I’m sorry baby….” She cupped Skylar’s cheek. “Your father and I were worried sick!” She exclaimed. Mavis walked into the room, he was dressed in a suit and tie. He had grey in his hair that speckled through it as he came forward and held his daughter’s hand.

“Daddy, I’m okay.” Skylar gave a soft smile. Mavis smiled to her and looked to Eva for a long moment before he looked back down to his daughter.

**

Time passed as Skylar recovered, Ayla came to visit every single day as well as Ren, and of course Dr. Grieves was in and out of the room several times a day. After four days Skylar was able to stand, and take a few steps, though, she was too weak to walk. Her parents had a police officer posted outside of the door, 24/7 to keep her protected. Ayla came in and disconnected all of Eva’s lines once she was recovered well enough to be released. About another week passed before Skylar was released by Dr. Grieves in the middle of the day.

Skylar looked to Eva, she had learned of their adventures in the other dimension by this point, the other Skylar had filled her in on several things, and through speaking with Eva she didn’t feel so crazy when she thought of magic actually being real. “Well…” Skylar spoke as she came out of the bathroom, she had a smile on her lips. She wore black work boots with jeans that were well worn in that she pulled on leggings beneath. She wore a black blouse to which she pulled on her parka that she had Ayla and Ren wash while she was in the hospital. She looked to the patchwork that Ayla had done in the material and let out a slight laugh as she pulled on her black beanie. “My car is in the parking lot, I had Ayla bring it in from the parking garage this morning.” She gave a smile. “Come on Eva, let me show you Northward.” She held another parka to Eva and then turned. She led Eva from the hospital and to the huge parking lot. Skylar pulled the jingling keys from her pocket as she walked up to a huge pick up truck. She peered around the other side of the truck. “Ah! There we are.” She chuckled as she walked up to a tiny car. It was only 4ft tall, 4ft wide and 6ft long. It was boxy and had character. The paint was a beautiful chili pepper red and the roof was a beautiful white with white bonnet stripes. Four auxiliary driving lights were across the front of the grill. She unlocked her door on the right side of the car and climbed in before she unlocked the other door and popped it open. “It sticks a little, sometimes you have to give it a good pull.” She spoke as she jingled the keys into the ignition.

Skylar turned the key and the engine revved up high, it was a completely different car from any of the other vehicles around it. She smiled as she pulled her seatbelt on. “Click yours here.” She reached across and pulled Eva’s belt over her body, her face got incredibly close to Eva’s. Skylar then grinned and took off, shifting the car through its gears. The engine roared as she drove the vehicle through the city streets, tuning this way and that. Each bump in the road was felt. She drove toward the edge of town and pulled into the driveway of a small home. Just big enough for Skylar. She couldn’t afford much, not yet at least. She had just gotten out of school about 4 months ago, and the case she just closed was her first real case with the firm. She was an incredible lawyer though. She pulled into the small garage and smiled. “Home sweet home.” She got out and headed inside where she brewed two cups of coffee. She sat down at the breakfast bar after she hung her jacket on the coat rack. “So, tell me more about this Outsider? Has he spoken to you since you’ve come here to our world?” She asked this Skylar had a different accent than Eva’s Skylar. She spoke with a more proper tone, though, with her parents being the Duke and Duchess…it was to be expected.

Skylar sat down next to Eva at the bar, she ran her fingertips along the cut that was almost gone just above her brow. “He sounds mysterious….” She spoke softly as she drank her black coffee. Skylar let out a laugh and gave a nod when Eva complimented the coffee. “If there is anything that I spend my money on, it is definitely coffee.” She laughed again and took a sip of her coffee. She fell silent when Eva spoke of the Reaper, that terrible being. “You know…” She began and hugged her coffee mug with her hands. “When I was shot, when I almost died. That is when I met Skylar…I met her inside my head.” She paused, it was still a crazy concept to wrap her head around. “She grabbed a hold of his scythe, just as he was about to kill me…and then she fought this red eyed demon…for her life, she didn’t seem to care about anything but keeping me alive…and then another showed up, a man with white hair and pale skin. He killed the Reaper.” She furrowed her brows slightly. “It was terrifying….I am still having a hard time wrapping my head around the concept that another soul is within me, I can feel her emotions.” She placed her hand over her chest, “When my mother came to visit over the past few weeks, my heart felt as though it was performing summersaults within my chest.” She smiled slightly, “It is a strange feeling…it is a strange thought, to think that my mother, in another universe is dead…I’m not sure what I would do without her, or even my father, to be honest.”

Skylar watched Eva as she spoke of finding herself. “Oh…” She gave a nod, “Of course, I have lots of maps, I love exploring.” She grinned before she stood and went to her bookcase that was nestled in the corner near a lovely reading chair, along the wall near the chair was a beautiful brick fireplace. Skylar brought the book over and opened it up, “Northward.” She spoke as she pointed on a map. They were in the far north region of the map, that explained all of the snow. The map was shaped much the same as the maps in Eva’s world.

District 17!

“District 17….” Skylar spoke, a confused look upon her face. “Um…” She furrowed her brows.

This is District 17 in our world! It is incredible. This city is leveled in my timeline.

Skylar blinked her eyes, her breathing quickened slightly as she leaned forward and held her hand to her head. Olyver on the inside was speaking. She shut her eyes tightly. “Hang on a minute.” She spoke, trying to silence the voice in her head. “She is going on about a District 17, how it was destroyed…that this is where that place is in your timeline…um…” Skylar looked back down to the map. “A pen?” She questioned as she stood and went to grab a pen. She came back and began drawing in lines on the paper, she wrote a number over each section and drew the large wall that surrounded their cities in their world. “Woah….” She spoke as she searched the map. “So….in your world, everything is blocked by walls, and the Order…controls all of you?” She rose her brows and looked to Eva with her crystal eyes. “I wouldn’t want to return home…” She let out a soft laugh. “Um…” She looked back to the map. “That would make your home here, in the continent that we call Yukrias. It’s a bit different there, the cities are larger, if you think this is a strange place…the continent of Yukrias is very different….The city in which…um….” She paused a moment, listening to Olyver within her mind, she shut her eyes as she listened and took in a shaken breath. “The city that District 2 would have been in is Aslus.” Skylar flipped several pages in her book and brought up a map of the large city. She flipped through the pages of images that went to the city. “Oh! You know what?” She smiled, “If you want to go there, I know a place we must stop, just simply for our own enjoyment.” She grinned as she leaned against the back of her chair. “There is a bakery, it’s old, and small, but it is a local treasure. My mother took me there when I was little…” She furrowed her brows. “I wonder if they’re still open…” She muttered as she stood and found her tablet. She swiped through the screens and began searching for the place. “I just can’t remember the name…” Her phone began to ring from her pocket. “Hm…” She set the tablet down in front of Eva. “Sorry…” She gave a smile before she dug in her pocket and lifted the phone to her ear. “James.” She smiled, James was the ringmaster from the fight club. He called her everyday from the moment that Blake mentioned her condition in an office meeting. “I’m well, Dr. Grieves just released me about an hour ago….” She shifted her weight in her seat before she stood and made her way to the window, she looked out over the snowy landscape. “I don’t think I will, not tonight…..right…” She hugged her arm that didn’t hold the phone to her body, “I miss all you guys.” She let out a chuckle, “It’s like being away from my family for an extended amount of time.” She grinned as she paced slightly. “You did?” Her smile fell from her lips. “Jasper? Really?” She lowered her eyes. “I couldn’t see them…it’s all a blur…are you sure it was him?” Her voice had a bit of pain in it as she sat down on her couch which faced a large flat screen that was mounted on the wall. “Oh…” She muttered. “That’s….um…I’m not sure….I can’t believe that….I mean…” She fell silent as the man on the line spoke. “Okay, James…I can do that…thank you so much…okay, have a good day..” She hung up the phone and sat motionless for a moment.

Skylar stood after several moments of silence. She stepped to the breakfast bar and looked to Eva for a moment. “They um…they caught the guys that almost killed me.” She spoke softly, though she didn’t sound excited about it. “One of them, I trusted him. He actually led the assault…and now that I think about it, those eyes…” She winced slightly as she thought about the traumatic event. She clicked a button on the coffee brewer and waited for it to brew her another coffee. “Jasper was my friend…I trusted him…” She whispered as she sat back at the counter with Eva, “If I can’t trust my own friends…who then, do I trust….” Her phone beeped a small chime, though this wasn’t a ringing this time. She clicked the phone and looked to the screen where text appeared. She let out a soft laugh. “Ayla and Ren would like us to come over for dinner tonight, to celebrate both of us being healthy….” She wiped a tear away from her eye. “Ayla is an excellent chef, though, a few years ago I couldn’t say the same.” She laughed. Though, there was a sadness to her laugh, the betrayal of her friend Jasper. It was much like the betrayal in both of the alternate timelines. He just got a whole lot closer to killing Skylar in this world…

Skylar gave nod as Eva spoke of how Jasper betrayed her in the other worlds. “It still doesn’t make sense…however, I am certain that in the other worlds it doesn’t make sense either does it?” She then gave a nod when Eva asked to take a bath. “Shower, yes.” She showed her how to do everything and returned to the living room where she began to build a fire within the fireplace. She jumped up when she heard Eva cry out from the heat of the water. And then, Skylar found herself standing at the door, listening in on her beautiful voice as she sang the folk tunes. A smile curved up her lips. She forced herself away from the door and back to the fireplace where she finished building the fire just as Eva came back out and lay on the couch. “Nervous?” She shook her head and chuckled. “No, not with Ren and Ayla, never. They are both sweethearts. We’ve been friends for years, there is nothing to be nervous about, Eva.” Skylar took the damp towel from her and took it into her small laundry room which was near her kitchen. She took in a breath and sighed slightly. Her phone began to ring once again.

“Hello?” She asked as she brought the device to her ear. She was silent for a moment and a smile curved up her lips. “I’m doing great, we made it home in one piece.” She spoke. “Yeah…James just called me. Who told you?” She fell silent again and paced about, she found herself a seat in the comfy chair that was next to her bookcase, which was filled with books. “Of course, I knew Ren would work that case.” She laughed slightly. “What are we having for dinner?” She asked and fell silent once more. “That sounds excellent. Of course, I’ll pick some up on the way over…..no problem, Ayla, don’t worry about it.” She traced on the arm of the chair as she spoke on the phone. “Okay, I’ll see you later.” She hung up the phone. “You’re in for a treat, Eva.” She spoke as she relaxed to the popping sound of the wood within the fireplace. “Ayla is making these really good stuffed chicken breasts. You’ll like them, they’re really good. And we will have some wine with it, we have to stop at the store and pick it up on the way over though.” She smiled. “I’m going to take a quick shower too. Make yourself comfortable, my house is yours.”

Skylar then left the room, she climbed up the staircase to her own room which had her bathroom with a beautiful walk-in shower. She stripped her clothing from her body and turned on the water. She leaned her head against the cool tiled wall as the water cascaded over her body. It relaxed her.

There was a knock at the door downstairs then. “Skylar?” A voice came from outside. It was her mother.

"I'll just run up stairs." Amara spoke with a smile on her face, "I got Skylar a little something too." She held up a small bag that she held. "I'm so happy she's home finally." The duchess turned and took off up the staircase.

Skylar turned the water off to the shower, steam filled the room. She wrapped a towel around her body and dried her short hair before slipped on her bathrobe and stepped into her bedroom.

"Skylar, you look so much better. How are you feeling?" Amara asked as she pulled a black and dark blue dinner dress from the small bag that she held. She lay the dress on the bed and pulled a pair of matching heels from it. "I thought you would like these." She smiled as she pulled out a small bow that was meant to go into her hair. "Eva tells me that you have dinner with our hometown hero and her girlfriend tonight." She smiled.

Skylar looked at the dress, she felt the soft satin material and smiled. "This is beautiful." She spoke softly. "I'm excited to go over to Ayla's, they've been in that new house almost a month and I haven't been over yet." She inspected the bow.

"So, darling, tell me, why is it that your friend is here? I know you're helping her out, but what exactly happened to her that she doesn't even have a place to stay?"

Skylar took in a breath when her mother asked, the truth wasn't something she could tell, even though in her mind it would have been easier. "She's going through a rough patch."

"What kind of rough patch? She was talking to herself when I cam in today, she is a darling girl, I hate to ask this but she isn't on drugs or in with the gangs or anything like that is she? Does she have family, Sky?"

Skylar lowered her head slightly, thinking as quickly as possible. "No, Eva was never into drugs, I can assure you that mother. She was always top of the class with me, we met in our college prep classes, she's bright, not a drug dealer."

"Well then what is it, Sky? I want to help the girl. You're going to let her live here right? I can get her a job, if you want I can get her transportation, your father has too many vehicles that we don't use anyway. I don't see why you drive that silly little rust bucket around." Amara spoke and shook her head at the end, she hated the Mini.

"Mom, she was in a really bad relationship, she was abused, and mistreated. She called me and asked for help. I'm going to run her case. She was left without anything. Everything has been taken from her and her family has all passed on." She watched her mothers reaction and then gave a sly smile, "and for the record. It isn't a rust bucket." She winked as she picked up the dress and went behind a beautiful divider to get dressed.

"Oh....my....I'm terribly sorry, Sky. Don't worry I'll get her the help she needs to get back on her feet. You are letting her live here right?"

"Yes, of course. I have the spare room, I'll make sure she's comfortable."

"Okay, good. I'm so proud of you, you couldn't have turned out to be any more perfect of a young lady."

Skylar came out from behind the divider and smiled to her mother whom gave her a huge hug. "Thank you, where's dad?"

"You look beautiful." She moved Skylar's hair around and clipped in the blue bow that brought out the blue in her crystal eyes. She then fell silent for a moment and sighed. "Oh you know your father. He's always busy." She sat on Skylar's bed, "he has so much to worry about."

Skylar shook her head and sighed, "I honestly was surprised he showed up to the hospital the first day I was in." She pulled on the black heels with the blue bow that sat over the top of her toes. "He's never really paid attention to me mother." She hugged her mother then for a moment before she went to her bathroom to do her makeup and style her hair.

"I'm sorry, Sky. He just has so much to do." Amara sighed. "I've gotta get back to the office. I have pressing matters as well. Be safe. I want your over for dinner tomorrow, I'll make sure your father makes time for you, I promise."

"Okay." Skylar spoke and sighed softly as she dried her hair. She listened as her mothers heels clicked down the stairs. Skylar stepped to her window and looked out over the snowy landscape of Northward. She loved it here, it was one of the most highly sought after cities to live in, in this timeline at least. People came here because the Duke and Duchess were here. It was an incredible city to live in, few were homeless and without a job. If Amara found someone who was homeless she usually got them back on their feet by getting them to a homeless shelter and finding them a job within the city. It really was a fairy tale world. Skylar pat at the ruffles of the dress before she made her way down the stairs back into the living room. She poured herself a glass of water before she looked to the crackling flames of the fire. She moved to her coat closet and thumbed through the array of coats that she had. “I see my mother brought you a gift.” She smiled over her shoulder before she looked back to the coats. She pulled a black jacket from its hanger and walked over to the breakfast bar before she hung it over the back of a chair. “I’m not sure how long you will be here until you find your way home, but I would take my mother up on the chance to work for her.” She took a sip of her water. “You’ll need money to survive in this world, and that’s the best way to gain it….” Her voice trailed off as she thought of the fights. Sure, she didn’t need the money, she could ask mommy and daddy for the money for her student loans. But, she didn’t want to drain their accounts of that large amount of money. The law school that she attended was rather expensive. So, she fought at the fight club for the money. She lived in a modest house, to lower her living expenses and she drove around her classic car, which she loved. Though, the way she lived wasn’t without flair. She definitely lived her best, she didn’t hold back. Though, she won most of her fights, and this helped.

Skylar drew her brows together as she thought of the fight club, James asked her if she was coming on Friday, she told him no, but the more she thought about it…she craved the fight. She craved that feeling, the release of emotion. “Don’t worry about what you wear over to Ayla’s, it isn’t an entirely formal dinner or anything.” She gave a smile. She seemed lost in her thought as she walked over and poked at the fireplace.

You can’t be serious right now! You’re not going back in there, not on my watch. You're not the only one in here! Could you stop and think about me for a moment huh? What happens if you die? I saved you last time, I can't guarantee the same end result if something happens again!

Skylar grit her teeth, she shook her head as she listened to Olyver speak to her. “I will.” She muttered to herself. “You’re not in charge.” She stood up and gave Eva a smile again. “Would you like to have a tour of the city before we head over to Alya and Ren’s home? It’s on the other side of town.” She shifted slightly, Olyver wouldn’t leave her alone.

Skylar adjusted the heater in the car as she shivered. She feathered the clutch as she backed down her driveway and into the street. “So, where I live is considered, what we call, the suburbs. It’s basically a group of houses that are outside the main city area. Ayla and Ren live in a community like mine as well.” She turned down a street and stopped at a red light. A pickup truck pulled up next to them, towering over the tiny Mini. Skylar’s body began to relax as the heat began to push into the car, warming her legs that only had black leggings to keep her warm, not enough in this weather. Skylar dressed up quite often for her mother, it made the woman happy, and she didn’t mind. She felt beautiful when she wore the dresses and heels, though, unless her mother bought it for her, there was no way she would buy a dress. She couldn’t fight in a dress. She couldn’t stay warm in a dress, and it was cold in Northward most of the year.

Skylar pulled the car forward as they came toward downtown. “This is the business district, downtown Northward.” The buildings towered over the streets, blocking the sunlight and creating long stretched out shadows. She turned down another streets and then smiled, “My office.” She pointed. Kremer Law was inscribed in bold type face on a sign that was hanging from the side of one of the larger buildings. “I work for that law firm, I’m a lawyer. I just recently put away one of the most notorious criminals in our city, Ainsley Stevenson. A lot of the crime in the city was led by him, murder, rape, drugs, stealing, it was all set into motion by him. Ren says the streets have been a lot quieter since we put him away.” She turned down another street and stopped at another red light. People on the sides of the road stopped and stared at the tiny car that rumbled about. Skylar smiled, “I love this car.” She spoke with a laugh, “There aren’t many of these around anymore. With the advance in cars, no one appreciates a classic anymore.” She chuckled.

Skylar turned down another road and brought the car into a parking lot. She pulled into a space, “Come on.” She smiled as she got out of the car. She came around the passenger side and pulled on the sticky door to help Eva out of the car. “This will be quick. I promise.” She turned and led Eva down a snowy pathway that led into a wooded area. It was a park in the middle of the city. “This is Greystoke park.” She smirked, “I used to come her with my mother when I was a child. It was named after my great great great grandfather. My family line has been in power over the city for many generations.” She paused and looked to Eva for a moment as they came to the end of a dock that had a gazebo at the end. It was nearly in the middle of the lake. The water all around them was frozen solid, kids and adults alike skated around happily on the icy lake. “My mother and I used to come sit here, it’s beautiful really.” She leaned against the railing and smiled as she took in the smells of the park, “It is peaceful.” She whispered, the sound here wasn’t the hustle and bustle of the city. It was silent aside from the laughter of those in the park. It was a calming atmosphere. “When I’ve had a rough day, I come here.” She gave a nod. “It helps me calm down, and if I can’t calm down here, I have other options.” She grinned before she shivered.

Skylar stared to Eva for a long moment in silence before she gave a nod. “Back to the warm car then?” She led Eva out of the park and back to the mini where she started up the rumbling engine. Skylar drove around several other neighborhoods, explaining the areas. She then turned down a familiar road. She paused as they came to a stop at a red light. “That…” She spoke softly and pointed to an empty alley. “That’s where you met me, where you saved me.” She nodded, “That alley is where I was shot….”

Skylar was silent then as she drove along, her eyes glued to the alley until they were passed it. She drove to the edge of town and up to a gate where she punched in a number on the key code before she rolled her window back up. Flakes of snow were beginning to fall from the sky as the sun began to set over the horizon. She drove through the winding roads of the community before she came to a small road. A wooden sign was lit up at the end of the drive that said ‘The Sarálonde Family’. Skylar turned onto the skinny driveway and drove back a ways, they came to a lake that the road followed, in the distance the lights from Ayla and Ren’s home could be seen glowing through the snow covered trees. “Beautiful, isn’t it? I want to live on this side of town one day, when I’ve finished paying my debts.” She let out a laugh as they approached the home.

A fluffy dog came running from the home, wagging its tail and barking happily, it ran circles around the car. “Don’t worry about him, he is harmless. That’s their dog Hugo.” She smiled as she parked the car and cut the engine off. Skylar waved as she looked up to see Ayla standing in the doorway. “Hey Ayla!” Skylar grinned as she came from the car, she laughed as Hugo ran circles around her.

“Hugo!” Ayla called, the pup stopped what he was doing and ran to her side where sat, his tail wagged happily.

“Thanks Ayla.” Skylar gave her a hug and they headed inside. The home smelled of delicious food.

“You look well, the both of you.” Ayla smiled. “Would you like anything to drink? Wine?” She turned and led them into the huge kitchen that had granite countertops and a beautiful island. Food was on the stovetop cooking away. “Ren!” Ayla called upstairs as she poured four glasses of wine. “How was the drive up?”

Skylar gave a smile, “It was excellent, I gave Eva a bit of a tour of Northward.” She nodded as she took her glass of wine and sipped it.

Ayla offered Eva a glass of wine as well and smiled, “Are you settling in then? It could be awhile before you figure out how to return to your world huh? I’m not sure I would leave, from what you’ve told me, your world isn’t any fun at all.” Ayla winked as she took a drink of her wine, her cheeks were slightly rosy from the wine she had already had while she was cooking.

Ayla smiled as she watched Ren and Eva speak. She turned her attention to Skylar as she stirred some of the food on the stovetop. “So, how are you really feeling, Sky?” She asked, care in her voice. “How’s your side doing? Have you had any headaches today?” She took a drink from her wine.

Skylar stared to Eva and Ren for a moment as she held her wine glass. “I’m doing well, Ayla.” She leaned against the granite countertop, “It’s still a bit sore, but, nothing like it was before.” She let out a soft laugh.

Ayla furrowed her brows and then shook her head and sighed in combination with rolling her eyes. “Sky, you and Ren are both so hard headed.” She filled her wine glass up again. “You know; you always overdress when you come over.” She chuckled, “Did your mother bring that to you as a welcome home gift? I imagine she did.” Ayla straightened her black v-neck blouse over her blue jeans.

Skylar nearly choked on her wine when Ayla made the comment on her dress. She busted out laughing and grinned at Ayla. “You know me all too well.” She giggled. She glanced to the living room through the doorway to see Eva as she began to tell her story to Ren. “As my mother says, ‘you are a Greystoke, Skylar, you must learn to dress and act like a Greystoke by the time you take over the city.’” She mimicked her mother and chuckled at the end as Ayla topped off her glass of wine, the liquid dripped out.

“Oh bother.” Ayla sighed. “No more wine. Maybe if you had remembered to bring me some.” She turned and opened a cabinet that had a wonderful wine rack inside that was filled with bottles. She winked at Skylar and laughed as she opened a new bottle and finished topping off Skylar’s glass. “Come on, Duchess Skylar Greystoke.” She mimicked the royal accent and giggled.

Skylar chuckled as she followed Ayla into the living room. Ayla sat down next to Ren and took her hand as she turned her attention to Eva’s story, she looked fascinated as she listened to the idea that she was a princess in this other world that they came from. Skylar sat down in a chair and listened to the story, a smile on her lips as she watched Eva. The excitement that Eva showed when she spoke of this fairytale was incredible.

Our world is full of much sorrow, but the story of Ayla and Ren is one of the most beautiful stories of love, and the most grand of adventure. It is a story that my father used to read me when I was a child, a fairytale that I one day hoped to live myself. Though, things didn’t really turn out that way and the government in our world took over with such force that they destroyed this beautiful city, along with all of its people and many of our soldiers that fought for the rebellion.

Skylar’s eyes fluttered slightly as Olyver spoke to her, it felt as though her connection to the spirit was becoming stronger, or something of that sort. Ayla grinned happily, she kissed Ren on the cheek, “Oh don’t be sorry! That is a lovely story! It is absolutely incredible to listen to!!! It’s better than a fairytale to imagine that our life in this other world is with so much adventure.” She giggled, “We have our own adventures here though, plenty in fact, huh Ren?” She hugged Ren’s arm and sipped her wine. “Lovely story, Eva.” Ayla stood, “I’ll get the table set.” She smiled.

“I’ll help you, Ayla.” Skylar followed behind, she rubbed her temple and sighed slightly as she leaned against the counter.

Ayla began to move about the kitchen, putting the food into serving dishes and handing them to Skylar to carry to the beautiful dining room table that was set for four. The two worked for a few minutes before Ayla grinned, “Thank you, Sky.” She brought the wine glass to the table and sat down. She had prepared a Cornish hen, with green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, and even bread rolls from scratch. Ayla loved to cook. She went and gathered Ren and Eva before she sat down at the table with Skylar. Skylar gave a gentle smile as she looked to Eva and then to Ren and Ayla. “So, Eva…” Ayla smiled as she loaded her plate with food. “Tell me, what is the story of you and Sky? It must be full of adventure like the story of Ren and I. Isn’t it?”