Shadow Dweller Series Book One Purgatory

Chapter 6

      Anabel was afraid of what was in the darkness. She wasn’t sure who John was, or if he was truly there to help her. She wanted to believe him, but she still thought all of this was a bad dream. Looking back at John another explosion, this time knocking Anabel out.

John quickly grabbed her, not realizing she was unconscious, he frowned. “What happen to her John?” an older male came walking up. “We need help here.” He called over his shoulder.

           “We were ambushed; Dremis is out to get this one. We have to stop them from harming her, and we have to protect those that summon the four horsemen. This whole deal is already going wrong.” John complained as he followed the older man. “Aiden, when am I going to retire?”

           Aiden looked at John, he half-smiled. “That’s on you son, but let me tell you I did it for so many more years than you. Your job is never done. Someone has to guide the lost souls to their resting places. You and I, we were chosen to do just that.” He said pushing open a door. “Lay her on the table; she has some injuries I need to attend to.” He said looking in a drawer.

           John did has he asked, Anabel looked peaceful. Her brown curls were a mess. Her clothes were torn. “I’m going to see if the elders have some clothes she can use. Once I can move her, we need to go into hiding.” John said before walking out the door.

           Aiden cleaned the blood off Anabel, her ankle was badly sprained, and a cut on her head needed stitches.

John walked back into the room. “Don’t you think she could use a bath? Her hair is messy.” He complained.

           “Now dear boy, she’ll get a bath when she can do it herself. Now you have to dress her and take her to the Elders. They’ll put you two in a safe place.” Aiden said walking towards the door.

           John looked down at Anabel; he quickly dressed her in the robe the Elders provided. Anabel opened her eyes as he finished. “Where are we?” she said sitting up, her head wound made her dizzy.

           “We’re in a safe place,” John said helping her off the table. “We need to go and see the Elders, then into hiding we’ll go.”

           She looked around the room, this place was different. The stone walls had nothing on them, candles and small lanterns light the hallway. “Hiding, Why?” Anabel complained as she hopped down the hallway.

           “Yes, the four horsemen are going to be summoned, and they will come after you and anyone that will stop them.” He said pushing up the door that leads to the Elder chamber. “You will play a part in summoning them, but they will turn on you because they are angry souls that want to do their job. They are controlled by higher Angels, but they are unstoppable.

           “Well, they can destroy the world, I don’t care,” Anabel complained, stopping in the middle of the room. “I’m not sure why you seem to think I care about what happens to the world.”

           “I know you care, you may not right now because of the things that are going on, but I know you care.” He said helping her sit in a chair in the next room. “Now we have to wait until they come.” He took a seat next to her.

           “Fine, whatever,” she said looking down at her feet. “So how bad are my injuries? I feel worse than I did before.” She said rubbing her legs, she felt cold.

           “Cuts and bruises, your ankle is sprained,” John said walking back and forth, he didn’t have patience and this was testing him.

           The door opened, Anabel and John both got quiet. “Ah hello John, I see you’re brought her here.” He said extending his hand to shake Anabel’s. “I am Deek, Elder leader here.”

           “Ah hi,” she half-smiled. “I’m lost, I’m not even sure I am the one you guys are looking for. Ever since my accident, I’ve been confused. Kind of scared too.” She said with a frown.

           Deek walked around to the seat at the desk. “So I hear you need a place to hide until we’re done above?” he said looking at John.

           “Yes. The four horsemen will be after us, and the only way to stop that would be Pandora’s Box, and no one can get to that.” John said looking at Anabel. “Anabel still believes everything is a dream, so it’s hard to keep her safe. I’ll need some help.”

           Deek looked down, “look I can’t spare any more men, we have a lot going down here and we are still fighting the Unknowns.” He cleared his throat “You’re on your own. I’ll let the pixies know you’re coming. Be nice this time.”

           John rolled his eyes, “whatever they are the ones that like to party and let things get out of hand.”

           “Silence, go now. The portal is waiting.” Deek said pointing to a closed door.

           “Let’s go, Anabel,” John said helping her up. He bowed before they left the room. He wasn’t excited to be with the pixies, he knew they would fail again. They were on probation; they needed to do this right.

           They walked through the door; a purple-looking portal was in the center of the room. Anabel grabbed onto John’s waist. “Will this hurt?” she whispered.

           He laughed, and shook his head, “No, it’s quick.” He said walking towards the portal.

           It only took a second for Anabel’s eyes to adjust to their new place. It looked like something out of the movies. The trees were dark and inviting, fire torches lit a small path. At the end of the path was a small gingerbread-looking town, a fire in the middle. Small people danced around it, singing and having fun.

           “Meme,” John called. A tall woman walked towards them. She smiled as they got closer.

           “Ah John you are back, do you plan to stay for long?” she said looking at Anabel. “And you bring a guest.” She said dancing around Anabel. “I can see some fun in her future. Why is she injured?” she asked concerned.

           “Yes, we have to hide out until we know what is going to happen. A lost soul.” He said pointing at Anabel. “Dremis attacked us at her house, now we’re here.” He said shrugging his shoulders. “Can I count on you to make sure we’re safe?”

           “I’m not lost!” Anabel complained. “I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” She said sitting on the ground, her body hurt worse.

           “Well then, we shall have a feast and relaxation. Dremis cannot come here.” She said taking Anabel’s hand. “Now walk with me, I promise you will not feel pain, but peace.” She said helping Anabel to her feet.

           Anabel followed the woman, she was right the pain was gone. She felt normal again, John watched them but didn’t follow, and he disappeared into a tent. Anabel watched the fire, others joined her. “Hello.” She smiled. “I’m Anabel.”

           “Skip.” He said munching down on some kind of leaf. “Nice to meet you, Anabel.”

           Anabel watched as the village continued doing what they did every night. It was a calm night. John sat on the other side of Anabel, he didn’t speak. “I’m kind of tired John.” She said looking at him.

           “Of course, come with me.” He said helping her to her feet.

           Anabel slowly walked, she wanted to pass out but her feet kept her going. “You can sleep here,” John said pointing at the tent.

           “Thanks.” Anabel said rubbing her eyes, “I’ll see you in a few hours I hope.”

           “Sleep well,” John said before walking back towards the fire. Anabel watched him as he hugged an older lady and a small boy.

           Lying down in the bed, she felt comfortable, she felt safe for some reason. Maybe when she woke from her rest things will be different. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. She didn’t dream.

           Anabel opened her eyes, she felt a little better than before, but she still wanted to sleep. It seemed liked hours went by. Getting out of bed, she walked to the door; the sun was bright and high.