Taken

"Aurora Johnson, you have until the next full moon to prove your innocence. If by then you fail to convince the council of your innocence, you will be sentenced to death-"

Here I was trying to wrap my head around what just happened; I could still feel the glares piercing through my back, but it was nothing compared to the pang I felt in my heart remembering the look of disappointment on Nana's face. I am innocent. I know I am, but deep down I could not help but feel guilty. I must prove my innocence, and I know just the right person to help me do that.

Aurora rushed through the wood like she was being chased; if she was seen people would think she has lost it, but little did they know the young girl had the world against her and time. She wasn't sure where she was going, she was hoping she would run into the sorcerer like the last time. The sun was setting, and she knew how crazy anyone should have to be to roam these woods after dark; Nana had warned her of the cruel and beastly creatures which inhabited this forest. She stopped running not being able to feel her legs anymore, too scared of what might happen if she stays any longer, she keeps walking. thankfully she caught sight of a house not too far from where she stood. Suddenly, she felt a rush of adrenaline flow through her, not thinking trice she hurried toward the house.

The house was old; there were spider webs everywhere. She was beginning to question herself, had she found the right place? she had hoped so, her life depended on it, on him. "After our last encounter I was hoping, the next time we met it would be under different circumstances" a deep hoarse voice mumbled, startling her. She turned around only to be greeted with a half-naked sorcerer, with a towel hanging low on his waist. Taking a deep breath, she reminds herself why she is here "the grimoire-" she began hesitantly but was rapidly interrupted by a now interested sorcerer "what about it!?" he asked startling her. "It is missing; Chef Duncan asked me to look after the library, but after he left, I felt dizzy and suddenly passed out. When I awakened, I was in a cell being accused of stilling it," she explained looking like she was having a flashback. The sorcerer mumbled something incomprehensible while giving her an unreadable look, then walked up the stairs which seems to be about to crumble under the slightest weight.

He then came back fully clothed only to see the young gal sitting on the floor Indian still "why not just sit on the couch?" he asked, Aurora could not help but notice he wasn't wearing the traditional cloak like the first time but a simple V neck shirt and sweatpants, she like it, it made him look normal of some sort, she then quickly reprimanded he self when realizing her thought process. “You mean on that dusty couch?" She screeched sounding like a spoiled brat, a look of realization flashed through the sorcerer's eye, with just a flick of the wrist the house was no longer old, ugly and dusty it was clean and modern. How did you do that? was all she could think of asking but instead asked: "will you help me?"

The sorcerer had every intention of saying no but the grimoire was important and powerful, after finding it he could keep it to himself. After all, he would have what rightfully belonged to him. "Yes I will help you, we will start the search tomorrow," he replied instead "no, we cannot; I only have 69 hours left to find it if I don't-" she panicked "calm down, you are in no condition to find it, take a shower if you are hungry the is food in the fridge, don't stay up too late" his tone stating the end of this discussion. He was right, after barging through the door like that, the adrenaline was fading and the pain started settling in her shoulders, she was sure it would leave a bruise.

Aurora awakened with a swift looking at her surrounding, she had fallen asleep on the couch a couple of minutes after the sorcerer leaving. She still wore the same clothes she had on yesterday, feeling disgusted she rose from the couch and made her way upstairs. Two doors later she finally found the bathroom and got cleaned up, realizing that she did not have any clean clothes to dress. knocking on what she thought to be the sorcerer's door building up her courage to ask him for clothes, no response came making her curious. Slightly opening the door, she peeped her head in to see if he was there, luckily, he was not so she walked toward what looks like a closet to find some clothes.

After clothing, she thought it was oddly suspicious he was not there. One of the most infuriating thoughts crossed her mind: had he left without me? at that thought, Aurora hastened out of the house, she swiftly dodged every tree standing in her way; how could I be so careless!? she scolded herself. She came to a sudden halt when she hears the rushing sound of a river, could he be there? I should probably follow the river trail since I don't know my way around. She walked toward the river hastily hoping to find the sorcerer, little did she know that what she would find is beyond her wildest imagination.

Once at the river, she looked at her surroundings and nothing. He was not here; the thought crossing her mind made her feel like crying, she did not recognize herself anymore she used to be that girl who would walk around the village every morning on her way to the town's library with a bright smile on her face and spend half of her days with her nose so deep into a book she would forget all her worries, but now the hours were counted, she no longer smiled.

Raising her head hoping for a miracle or a sign all she could see was the clear river she never saw a river so clear, as she got closer, she felt the river calling her am I going crazy? she thought. At this point, she was so close to the river she could see her reflection, she leaned toward the river taking a closer look at herself but suddenly her reflection faded leaving in its place that of another, startled she lost her balance and fell into the water. She did not know how to swim; it was never something she felt the need to learn. As she battled against the waves of the river, she felt herself being pull in deeper, could this be the end of me? is all she could think about before losing consciousness.