'Andre!' I whispered.

'Ali,' he breathed, a grin lighting up his features. Running forward, he flung his arms around my shoulders in an embrace I should've hated. Instead, I welcomed the warmth digging my face into the crook of his neck.

Someone was here. I wasn't alone.

'You're really here?' my voice came out in shaky gasps.

'I'm really here,'

'Anyone else?' I was hoping he'd say yes. The more people missing, the more effort would be put into finding us.

'No,' Blinx answered, 'It's just you two. It's strange though, how you even got here in the first place.'

'You don't know how we are here?' my voice came out low and strained.

'I'm not omniscient, little girl,' Blinx growled like I had offended her. I rolled my eyes.

'What do we do now?' I asked.

'I will take you to the Orc. Then it's up to him.' she replied.

I didn't like the idea of someone else having control of my life. 'Can we just go home?'

She laughed, 'As if it were that simple.'

I was about to reply when Andre cut in, 'What is an Orc?'

'You will have to wait and see won't you?'

Her blue tentacles bobbed as she drifted into the trees. I faced Andre sharing a look that said more than any words could. I sighed, 'Well aren't we spoiled with choices.' He didn't smile, much to my disappointment.

So like any good disciple we took off after the blob that had our lives in her appendages.

–

We had walked for a while when she stopped, to which I was grateful. I had done enough walking for one day. 'Sleep here. Tomorrow you will see the Orc, who is currently preparing for your arrival.' Blinx stated.

After having collected enough of the soft blue leaves for the bedding, I opened my shopping bag handing Andre some sliced bread with cheese and an apple while I gnawed on a cereal bar. I was on my second bite, the flavour leaving me unsatisfied, when my eyes fell on a certain jelly like creature. She was just floating there, watching us.

'Not eating anything?' I questioned, perhaps a tad bit harsher than necessary.

'No bioluminescent moss in this area.' It came out nonchalant but I could see the longing in her pink eyes.

Taking a pause from eating his food Andre asked, 'Is that all you can eat?'

'No, but the other plants don't even grow in a forest. My diet is a bit peculiar.'

'Ever tried an apple?' my offer surprised me, I was highly protective of my food normally, I told myself it was just because we needed her to like us.

When she didn't say anything I took the final fruit we had from my bag stretching my hand out for her to take. 'You must be hungry,' Andre tried. 'Unless your body can't cope with the food.'

'I don't know. Is it a plant?'

I could have laughed.

'Yes, well it's a fruit that comes from a tree. It has seeds in the centre that contain the genetic material for its reproduction. The seeds have a 30% germination rate so even though we cultivate them it's because of human intervention. We don't eat the core because it isn't good for us but that could be different for you. Other than the seeds, the apple is a great source of nutrients and vitamins, the minerals and fibre are an essential part of our diet. And...' I cut Andre off.

'While I didn't realise you were a walking encyclopaedia, I don't think she needs to know the whole life cycle. But yes, to be simple it is a fruit.'

Blinx floated forwards, a tentacle unfurled and the small suction cups grabbed onto it, 'I appreciate this. You didn't have to do this just to get me to like you Ali. I already do.'

Aww she likes me. Wait a second. How did she know that was what I was thinking?

'I can read your vocal thoughts.' she explained.

'That's a bit intrusive isn't it,' Andre said.

'It's not like I have a choice. Sometimes I would rather not hear what everyone thinks.'

Before I could think too deeply into it, she had consumed the apple. Let me tell you now it wasn't a pretty sight. It just went through her, because she had no mouth. She just absorbed it. The apple breaking down inside her, all the while visible to our eyes. It was disgusting. Only getting worse when the seeds pushed out of her skin and dropped onto the floor.

'It's not disgusting,' Blinx growled.

'It kind of is,' Andre interjected, 'You've almost put me off my own food,'

I finished my cereal bar and then asked, 'Why couldn't you take me to Andre straight away?'

'Wasn't allowed, I was told to analyse your behaviour first before reuniting you.'

'Who told you?' I pushed for more answers.

'The Orc.'

I didn't ask anything more after that, assuming I wouldn't get much response.

When the crunching of Andre's teeth against the apple subsided I grabbed his apple core and the seeds Blinx had spat out. I found a little area free of decomposing material and started to dig small holes with my hand. When they were ready I placed a seed in each. 10 seeds in total.

'30% chance you say.' I said to Andre, ' 30% for ten apples. That's a 300% chance one will grow.'

A grin grew on his face, 'That's not how it works.' I just shrugged.

Blinx watched us with a smile in her eyes.

Later that night when Blinx had left us to sleep I turned to Andre. 'I guess the Orc is her leader.'

'That's what I was thinking.'

'We need to find a way home,' I continued.

'I know. I don't like this at all. The uncertainty.' I could see it on his face, the way his diamond face was tight with worry, the frown pinned to his eyebrows, 'I just want to go home,' His voice broke.

I shuffled closer. A companion. A companion was all I could offer.

–

'Wake up!' Blinx's musical voice was a deep growl.

'No,' I groaned, turning over onto my side, which was by no means comfortable. I miss my mouldy bed.

Andre, on the other hand, was up and ready to go.

'You have five seconds!' she threatened. If she had teeth they would have been barred.

'Or what?' I challenged, still sleep-ridden.

'Five,' The count began.

'Four,' I covered my ears.

'Three,' she paused, prowling forward.

'Two,' Andre stepped closer.

'One,' He shook my shoulders and yanked me upright.

'Don't test me girl.' The menacing rumble of her words took me by surprise, 'Consider yourself warned.'

I scowled, but a nudge in the side from Andre stopped me replying.

Standing up, the thrum of the forest was once again in full swing, blue branches were as vibrant as ever alongside the morning chattering of animals. The calming sight instantly vanquished my mood; Andre and Blinx should consider themselves lucky. Mornings are not my favourite time.

'So because you are the self proclaimed leader of us, what next?' Okay, maybe the mood was still around, 'Are we off to meet the Orc?'

'Humans! So impolite.' Blinx muttered.

'Hey, don't judge us all based on her.' Andre said clearly offended.

'You couldn't choose a better person to represent the human race. It's not all rainbows and butterflies.' I retorted.

'It's not all bad either.' he defended.

'Exactly. I'm not all bad.'

'Don't be so sure?' Blinx added in, clearly enjoying herself.

'Hey! I'm not that bad.' I mumbled.

They both laughed but didn't back me up. Rude.

'We should go.' Blinx said, 'Grab onto my tentacle,'

'Why?' Andre asked.

'It's a different way of travelling that our species do. It's called stippling.'

'I don't want to.' My voice was firm as I took a step back.

'You don't have a choice, whether it's willingly or not.' She looked at me like a predator looks at prey.

'Come on Ali. We can't stay here.' Andre tried to convince me.

'No. No. And no.' I continued backing away.

'I said you didn't have a choice,' Blinx laughed.

A tentacle shot out, reaching out longer than I could have thought, wrapping its suction cupped appendages around my arm before doing the same with Andre.

I tried to pull it off but I couldn't get a grip on it, the substance was slippery indeed a lot like jelly, but the strength in the arm was definitely not like the sugary treat.

That was it before the world around me started spinning. Colours blended together in a pattern artists could only dream of achieving. I felt my feet lifting off the ground and my body screamed as if I was motion sick. My insides banging together as we moved. Time seemed to stop but in reality only seconds passed before we were back on more solid ground.

Groaning, I pushed myself up, shooting a venomous glare at Blinx, 'Never touch me with your slimy tentacles again!' I hissed, wiping away the bile from my mouth.

She rounded on me with her laughter like a sugar coated blade. The sound as sweet as poisoned honey, drove me over the edge, 'If you can't handle a little trip by stippling, how can you manage to meet the Orc? Control yourself, little girl.' she smirked down at me, her words thickening the air.

'Little girl. Little girl, you say as if you're better than me. At least I'm a human and not some pathetic abomination!' I spat. My mind felt clouded with malice, fogged up with a suffocating darkness, how dare she?. She wasn't better than me. Acting all big and strong. Who did she think she was?

'Ali calm down!' Andre intervened nervously, his eyes darting between us.

I turned to him. 'You're on her side?' I demanded my lip quivering from the betrayal, 'She abducted us. We don't even know her.'

'I'm not on her side.' he insisted. 'She knows this world and has tried to help us.' he spoke soothingly.

'Have you been brainwashed or are you just plain stupid? She isn't helping us.' I snapped, shaking my hands furiously. Trying to get him to understand. Why didn't he understand?

'Ali, I know you are upset but I am your friend –'

'We aren't friends.' I cut him off, 'I don't know you and I would never be friends with someone so easily manipulated.' I growled venom dripping of every word not caring about the look of hurt that flashed over his face.

'You are right' Andre said quietly, 'I would never be friends with someone like you.' He looked me straight in the eyes. His gaze was strong and certain.

The words hurt worse than any punch could. Clearing my mind from the tendrils of darkness, leaving me hollow inside. I was on another planet. Stranded. And now my only companion, the only person I know, hates me. I was alone. Completely and utterly.

I gazed up, not a single tree in sight. Just a black bird flying by itself. Same man. Same.

'If you are finished with your little tantrum. We should go.' Blinx said pointedly.

Turning away from Blinx, finally taking in my surroundings. It was breathtaking. Unlike anything I had seen before.

The city before me was majestic, its skyline filled with elegant buildings showcasing its intricate architecture. Spires stretched into the sky aiming to touch the clouds, their dream accomplished as every tip was shrouded in a coating of pink mist.

Each and every building held its own unique charm with varying vibrant colours that overlaid the shining steel beneath. What really blew me away was the statues scattered like sentinels throughout the streets, humanoid, yet adorned with delicate wings.

The air was brought to life with smells of cooked food spreading a heavenly aroma that stirred my appetite. I inhaled the fragrance reminiscing about previous meals. Sweet food, how I miss you. I could die and be happy just to taste some of the culinary masterpieces my nose could smell.

Amongst the spires, blue domes protruded like fine jewels, some were open allowing you sight within; others revealed nothing.

Blinx drew me from my wonder with a slap to my head with her long tentacle, clearly annoyed at me. I once again held my tongue as she guided us towards the tallest building. Once inside we followed her up towards a chair of sorts.

Cushioned red with no back or arms it wasn't a chair, chair. But it definitely was a seat as Blinx instructed us to sit on it.

I glanced at Andre but he wasn't even looking at me. I returned my gaze towards the chair that wasn't a chair, already feeling a pang of guilt. I pushed it away. I wasn't lying.

We are not friends.

I sat on this "Chair", but not a second after both me and Andre were on it we were flung upwards in a sudden jerky movement that would have had me reaching for the arms, instead the empty space meant I was forced to try to maintain my balance by myself.

See now, humans design things better. Arms on chairs are seriously needed. Like I'm not even joking. And all our elevators have bars, go at normal speeds and don't have random chairs that aren't chairs cop out elevators.

I was getting pretty pissed off with the constant ways of transportation these imbeciles had. Suddenly, I realised that on the admittedly quick trip through the city I hadn't seen a single person. Or species other than Blinx and a bird. Still feeling you mate. I would rather be alone than be friends with whatever species had this badly designed a seat.

Once we stopped I picked my nails pretending the whole experience hadn't been such a terrifying moment. I felt myself not wanting to look. I didn't want to know what type of species this could be. I didn't want to know if we had just become a new meal. I didn't want to hear that we couldn't go home.

Get a grip, you stupid fool I told myself. Stop being pathetic and whiny and look up. So I mentally braced myself to see something absolutely disgusting or as deformed as Blinx.

And what I saw certainly met my standards. A door.

That's right. A door I mean we have those on Earth. Did it talk? Was this a species that we somehow managed to replicate?

Blinx laughed, 'You have such a strange imagination Ali.'

I scowled.

'Don't be a grump. The Orc is behind the door. Not the door,' She was still giggling away. 'I am going to tell everyone you thought The Orc was a door.'

What was her species called again? Are they all as bad as her or is she an anomaly? Her attitude needed fixing.

Her mood was quick to change as she informed me she was a Le'ar, as if I actually cared. Then the abomination had the nerve to call me rude. She needed to take a good long look at herself.

Strutting towards the door I pushed it open. What I saw wasn't ugly at all much to my disappointment when I saw it was actually rather good looking.

Humanoid; Tall; Brown skin; Jet black hair; Nice features; Strong jawline; Gold eyes - wait a second... How's that fair?

Wings. Yep. Wings. Armoured and gorgeous, golden wings. But delicate just like the statues, every feather seemed like a shard of glass, shimmering like they emitted a light all on their own.

I mean I should be surprised at the golden claw nails and the golden scales that ran along its arms and coated every finger but I knew Blinx. That abomination. I made sure to emphasise 'abomination' in my head.

Even his armour that he adorned was made of gold. Probably mixed with something else but it looked gold.

Golden eyes, claws, armour, scales and wings just missing the golden hair.

'Do you not bow before your leaders on Earth?' The Orc questioned with a honeyed voice that overshadowed the bite beneath. Andre was quick to obey the obvious order.

'Depends on the leader. If they deserve it or not.' I replied boldly, Andre stepping on my toe.

'Do I deserve it?' He asked genuinely curious.

'I don't know.' His eyes looked thunderous. 'I don't know how you treat your subjects.'

He smiled, 'Of course. I will endeavour to demonstrate to you that I ensure the treatment of all my subjects is to the best of my capabilities.'

I heard the woosh of air of the breath that Andre released.

'You are an amusing little human.' The Orc continued, 'As I am sure you are aware I am The Orc. My species are the Borcan. Your women are our Norca and men are Orcan. Our planet is called Raella and our 'country' - as you call it - is Laoland.'

'So you are an Orcan?' I asked.

'Yes little human. I am.'

'Uh um Hi..' Andre stuttered, 'It's an honour to meet you, your... your... Orcship?'

I laughed as did the Orc. 'Your Highness is fine,' he supplied.

'Excuse my impoliteness, Your Highness and that of my comrade.' He tried to amend.

Apologising for me. Who did he think he was? Comrade. Really?

'Don't trouble yourself, other human.' The look on Andre's face was priceless. Other human.

'Can you help us get back to Earth?' I asked directly.

'I can only try. It is in my belief that we share a common founder which is why we have become so similar. I am still unsure as to how you are here, perhaps if we solve that mystery we can do the reverse.' The way he spoke was reassuring.

'Thank you so much your highness,' Andre blabbered.

'I appreciate this a lot.' I said.

'Your welcome little human,' he said to me and to Andre, 'Other human. Both of you will go with Blinx to your new accommodation before we will meet tonight for a meal.'

'You are a wonderful leader. Anyone who gives me food is worth knowing.' I told him with a grin.

His laughter followed us as we left.