I jolted awake, as though coming out of the deepest sleep of my life, and finishing the most realistic nightmare. My bed was cold, hard, and wet. Why had I fallen asleep just out front of my house? And what had happened to the snow? Once I had gained my orientation and stood up, I came to open my door. Locked. Had I locked myself out while sleep walking?
BANG! I pounded hard on door in frustration.
"Jesus!" I startled backward as the voice of a man came from within MY HOUSE! The door spread open as the voice continued. "That has gotten to be one of the loudest god damn knocks on my door I've ever heard!" In the now fully opened door, stood a baby faced, black haired, half-elf. As his eyes finally met mine, he stopped frozen. His eyes widened in surprise, before squinting at me through peering eyes.
After exiting the initial shock of what I saw, "WHAT FUCK ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE AND WHY AM I OUT HERE IN THE COLD!" I screamed. I looked for his reaction, and it became clear that squinted eyes were no longer able to hold back tears. I paused not entirely sure of what to do, and still quite angry. I took a deep breath. "Please don't do that." I sighed.
He responded through tears, "I'm sorry! Why are you yelling at me?!"
"What are you doing in my house?" I responded curtly.
He began wiping away tears while stating, "It's not your house." He pointed to a placard that read "Orako" In big letters at the top. Toward the bottom, in smaller text, it read. "If you're lost please knock on my door, and I'll be sure to guide you!"
It was now that I noticed that to the left, right and behind, that the previous surrounding neighborhood of houses surrounding mine, had been replaced with open plains, and farmland. "Perhaps you should come in for some tea, and I can explain." Orako interrupted my confusion.
I found myself sitting in my house, the layout one to one. Only exception being my convenience counter was gone, and my shelving of books, and odd enchantments was replaced by a mantle. Sitting on top this mantle was a small tree with many bare branches, at the end of each hung a small glowing orb. The kettle whistles caught my attention though. Not much later Orako came back with tray of tea. The kettle and cups awkward slid from side to side as he struggled to balance, before basically slamming the tray onto the table. Causing a semi loud clash. I looked at him expectantly for what felt like hours.
"So, how've you been?" he broke the silence, his voice piqued toward the middle.
"That's your important question? How have I been?" I dodged.
"I'm just trying catch up. We haven't seen in each other iiin, what has it been?" He responded plainly.
"Twelve years." I monotoned.
"So, you died at age 34." He attended to pouring tea now.
"I died?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Uhhh yeah." He almost shrugged awkwardly. "Let me explain."