Shadow Dweller Series Book 2 Redemption

Chapter 5

           The wind howled, Anabel rubbed her arms trying to stay warm. She knew it was stupid to leave Dremis’ hideout, but she wanted to give Misty a little bit of a chance to find her before Dremis did his ritual, and Anabel loses everything about her.

           Stopping near some trees, Anabel looked in the direction of Dremis’ hideout; she didn’t see anyone, so she wasn’t sure if they even knew she was gone. She wanted to find someplace nice and dry, so she kept walking the same way.

           “Damn it’s cold out here.” She complained rubbing her arms. “I wish I knew how to start a fire.” She continued to walk, looking for any kind of light or life on this realm, but she felt like there was no one here but Dremis and his few minions.

           Walking for what seemed like hours, Anabel saw a cave in the distance, she couldn’t wait to get out of the freezing snow, she wasn’t sure what she would do about making a fire, but getting out of the snow was first.

           Picking up her walk, she made it to the cave in about half an hour, it was dark and warm. She found a place away from the door, and huddled in the corner until she was a bit warmer, then shivering. “Damn I wish I knew how to make a fire.” She said shaking her head. If she had her team, things would be easy, but she knew that would come. Once Dremis knew she was missing, he would probably find her and force her back.

           “Light the fire Buck!” a man called over his shoulder, Anabel stayed in the corner, she wasn’t sure who this man was. “Hurry up I’m starving.” He said slamming some wood down in front of her, he stopped moving when he saw her. “Aw, now we have a stray.” He said half smiling at her. “Buck!”

           “What!” a fat man with overalls on came into the cave with a big piece of meat. “Why can’t you make your damn fire?” He said kneeling next to the other man, he didn’t notice Anabel either.

           “We have company Buck show your manners.” The smaller man yelled at Buck. “Hello I’m here Pj, and this is Buck, who are you?” Pj asked.

           “Um I’m Anabel, I’m sorry I better get going,” Anabel said standing up.

           “Hold up, you can’t go out there now,” Buck said throwing some fire on the log. “Dremis and his army are out looking for someone.” He said looking towards the door. “You can stay with us, eat with us, it’s safer here.” He said patting the ground.

           “Are you sure?” Anabel said. “I mean Dremis is out there looking for someone?” she said her body trembled.

           “Yeah probably another bounty, that’s the only reason he comes here anymore,” Pj said skinning the deer. “You’re the one he’s looking for huh?”

           “Yeah,” Anabel said shaking her head. “I was his prisoner, I escaped.” She said shaking her hand in the air. “Dremis wants to turn me into something far worse than I am.”

           “So you’re not a demon, then what are you?” Buck asked getting to his feet and grabbing some more wood. “I mean you’re not a demon right?” he eyed her up and down.

           Anabel just shook her head; she didn’t know what to call herself. She thought she was an Angel, but then she went into hiding, and now she was in Dremis’ world again. “I am just a lost soul.” She said taking in a breath.

           “Ah, so you are a good soul lost in our realm,” Pj said moving closer to Anabel. “You do realize Dremis is going to find you whether you want him to or not?” he said putting some meat on the fire. “You would only be safe if you were in your realm, here you are anyone’s game.”

           “Well, that’s good to know,” Anabel said shaking her head. “I’m just trying to stay safe until my friends come and find me, they’ve already taken my sons from this realm.” She said looking at Pj. “I hope they come soon.”

           Anabel didn’t speak the rest of the night, the two men talked with each other. Anabel was grateful that they had a fire and something for her to eat. She didn’t trust them entirely because she figured Dremis sent them to keep her safe until he felt he wanted her back as a prisoner.

           “You can sleep here,” Buck said handing her a nice blanket. “I’ll make sure the fire doesn’t go out, so we stay warm.” He said pushing into the fire to make it bigger; he tossed in a couple of logs. “Get some sleep, I’ll take the first watch, if Dremis comes we’ll have to leave here.” He said looking down at Anabel.

           “I know, you don’t have to tell me twice.” She said shaking her head. “I had to run away from Dremis more than you know, and I feel like this is just the beginning and he has a lot of different plans for me.” She said laying her head down. “Good night, I’m glad you two came in here, I probably would have frozen to death.”

           Anabel was the first one awake the next morning; she tried to get the fire going but failed. Pj woke up shortly after Anabel; he helped her get the fire going. Buck woke up after them, and went and found some breakfast; they talked a little while they ate, but nothing more about Dremis and his plans for Anabel.

           “So you guys are from here then?” Anabel said with her mouth full.

           “Yeah, somewhat,” Pj said. “Dremis promised us a new life, and well look where we are.” He said looking around the cave. “I guess it could be worse, but then again maybe not.” He said shrugging his shoulders.

           “Why don’t you guys go to the portal and get out of here?” she said. “I mean if you guys want you can come with me, I’m heading to the portal.”

           “You do realize Dremis controls that, if he wants it there it will be,” Buck said shaking his head. “The fact that he’s looking for you, I’m sure the portal isn’t where it was.” He said shaking a piece of meat at her. “But if you’re good maybe he’ll just leave you alone as he does with us.”

           Anabel shook her head, “I’m not staying here.” She said shaking a bite. “Once I know where the portal is, I’m going there. Hopefully, my friends will be waiting for me.”