My dream was fragmented, the words coming in and out of focus. I struggled to make sense of what I was hearing, but the voice sounded familiar. Was it someone I knew? Or was it just my mind playing tricks on me? I jolted awake, my heart pounding in my chest. What had I heard, was it some kind of warning? I couldn't exactly make out what was said.
As I lay in bed, groggy and disoriented, I still felt like I was in a dream. The ceiling above me was not the familiar white paint of my home apartment, and morning silence was broken by the bustle of early workers outside instead of the comforting chirping of birds that I was used to. As I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and tried to shake off the cobwebs of sleep, I realised that I wasn't in my own bed.
The unfamiliar surroundings slowly started to sink in as I recalled the events of yesterday evening. The broken building, the man who had fallen to the floor, and the scruffy-haired kid, Caius.
I sat up on the edge of the bed and looked around the small, dingy room. The room was sparsely furnished, with a twin-sized bed pushed against one wall, a rickety dresser in the corner, and a small table with a chipped ceramic lamp. A threadbare carpet covered the floor, and a few cobwebs hung in the corners of the ceiling. It was a far cry from the comfortable apartment I was used to.
Everything felt unfamiliar and foreign, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. I usually started my mornings with a routine, but that was likely impossible here. None of my other nice clothes were here either, nor was my coffee maker and ready-made meals for mornings like this. It'll be a while till I can get those luxuries back.
As I stumbled up and out of bed I got dressed into the only clothing I had and made my way down the narrow hallway, the sound of my footsteps creaking against the floorboards every so often.
The bathroom was at the end of the hallway and I pushed open the door to find a small cramped room. The tile on the floor was slightly chipped and the sink was stained, but it was functional, and that was all I needed.
Placing my hands against the cold ceramic bowl, I ran the tap. I splashed some water on my face and then gazed up at my reflection in the mirror, letting the water drip down my front. My dark red hair was unkempt from the bed but at least I had no bags under my eyes. My skincare routine back at home surly did wonders.
Looking back at myself I thought of the dream I had. It was likely the shock of and unfamiliarity of this new world. I could pass it off as some kind of homesickness and only if I saw such a dream again would I look into it further.
I quickly had a shower, dried off, and noticed my build was much different than it used to be. I was more built and defined with broader shoulders. Either this really wasn't my body or I was doing some amazing exercises in my sleep that I didn't know about.
"That's much better." The water had woken me up enough to go without my usual morning coffee, although that wasn't to say I wouldn't still like one.
As I left the bathroom and walked back down to my room, Caius stepped out of his room and into the hallway.
"Morning Eli," he yawned with his arms stretching out. "You sleep well?"
"Sure," I replied as I passed by him and walked back into my room. I didn't hesitate to grab my jacket and scarf that I had laid out over the bed before and put them on. It was probably around eight or nine in the morning and was still rather cold.
I thought about whether I should wait for Caius to leave the apartment building or not. On one hand, I felt like I didn't want him sticking around, but on the other hand, he knew his way around the area and I didn't. I couldn't ignore that fact that he could provide good information for me.
So, I decided to wait for him outside the apartment building. I didn't feel like I needed to stay cooped up inside all day.
As I stood outside, I felt a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach. It was as if someone or something was watching me, almost like a sixth sense. I couldn't see anything or anyone around, but the feeling was so strong that I couldn't shake it. I looked around, trying to spot any signs of danger, but everything seemed normal. It was as if the city was just waking up, with people rushing to work and the sound of a few street vendors setting up their stalls.
Just as I was about to go back inside, Caius stepped out and walked up to me. "I was wondering where you had gone. So what are you up to today?" he asked, a smirk on his face.
I hesitated for a moment, still unsure about what I wanted to do. But before I could say anything, I felt a dull pain in the front of my head. It was faint, but it was there like my other headaches. Probably from my injury last night.
What really happened I wonder? Who was that strange man and why did it seem like he knew me?
I shook my head, trying to get rid of the groggy feeling. "I don't know yet," I finally replied to Caius, still feeling a little uneasy. "I think I'll just see where the day takes me."
We both walked over to the bakery to buy some breakfast. The town centre wasn't too close to the bakery but it was still close enough to walk. We wouldn't need to get a carriage. The morning rush had passed, and the place was relatively quiet.
We stepped into the bakery and the sense of being watched subsided. Caius and I both got sandwiches, better ones than I got yesterday. It cost us four copper coins each, which I found out are called Dirs. What a weird name for coins.
As we sat down to eat outside that sensation came back, like a heavy blanket draped over their shoulders making every movement feel like it was being monitored. Whatever or whoever it was, their gaze felt closer than before.
I couldn't help but think again about yesterday. The strange man in the broken building, the mysterious feeling I had when I woke up this morning, and the possibility of Caius hiding something from me all weighed heavily on my mind.
"So," I said, keeping my voice casual. "What did you do yesterday after we parted ways?"
Caius took a bite of his sandwich before he replied. "You know the shoes Ewan gave me at Sticks & Stones? They were for another friend of mine. I got a rather good deal for them you know." he said nonchalantly. "Why do you ask?"
No, I don't remember what you got at the pawn shop yesterday, I could care less. I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just curious. I didn't get to see much of the area yesterday, and I wanted to know if you came across anything... interesting."
Caius shook his head. "Not really, just the same Leode as it's always been. You do know I've lived here my whole life?"
"Yeah figured that much," I nodded, trying to hide my disappointment. I had been hoping that Caius might have stumbled upon something that could help explain what was going on, but it seemed like he was as in the dark as I was.
I could still tell that there was something he wasn't telling me, but I didn't want to push too hard. I needed to get Caius to trust me first.
I switched gears, opting for a more friendly approach to try and hopefully get something out of him. "Were you okay last night? You seemed a little off."
"Yeah, I was fine. Just a little shaken up." He replied, wiping his mouth. "It's not every day that one comes across an incident like that."
"And how about you?" he asked, his tone suddenly more concerned. "Your head took quite a blow last night."
I guess he wasn't that easy. I brushed off his concerns. "Just a bruise and a headache. Nothing to worry about."
As we continued to talk, I couldn't help but notice how Caius seemed to avoid any mention of last night or anything related to it such as the concept of magic in this world. It was as if he was deliberately steering the conversation away from that topic.
Last night he didn't act like I would've expected. Frightened and shaken rather than excited and curious, although it was dangerous and I don't really know him yet so it's understandable. But what was he so hesitant about? Did he have some personal experience with magic that he didn't want to share, or did it go even further than that?
We finished our breakfast in silence, each lost in our own thoughts. As we left the bakery and wandered, I still couldn't shake the feeling that something or someone was watching me. I couldn't see anything, but the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
"You know, I've noticed something strange," I said.
"Hmm, yes?"
Caius looked a little concerned for a moment like I had discovered something. However, my intention was not to confront him about any secrets he may be hiding at the moment.
"I feel like I've been constantly watched since this morning. Since we left our apartment," I added.
"Really? That's strange." Caius replied, his demeanour appearing unaffected by the conversation. "It's probably nothing, the people in here are quite friendly so even if someone was staring you down I doubt they mean you harm.
But what if it is something dangerous? I couldn't trust any judgments just yet, I would have to confirm things for myself before I deem them true.
"I think I'll have a wander that way for a bit," I told Caius signalling down the street. Maybe I can go buy some different clothes and get this patch in my pants sorted out too. Hopefully, with this money I can get something. I'll have to learn the ins and outs of this world's economy too heh.
"Well, I'm coming with you then. I'm headed back that way too."
We both got up and started off, walking past the library and back in the direction of our last night's stay. Where would I put new clothes though? I might have to rent a place, and get a job as well. I might get another headache at this rate.
"I'm going to pop into the watch shop when we pass, you can continue on if you want," I told Caius looking down at him. As I glanced back up I noticed a couple of figures going up to the same apartment we were at last night. One went in and the other just stood outside.
"Shit!" The watching feeling was stronger than it had been. "Hey-"
Caius grabbed my arm and pulled me closer. "Change of plans, we're going this way." Instead of continuing straight, we turned the corner and went down a different street.