Away From The Grey

Chapter 5: This is just the beginning

When Dallas had first arrived in this other realm, she knew for a fact that nothing had ever felt more real.

                “Uh quick question Killian, where exactly are we?” She asked finally realizing she never even bothered to ask anyone.

                “We are in Zemira, the peace realm. Some call us the in between. We keep the balance between life and death. We try not to meddle too much but I’m sure you’ve heard of miracles where people or even animals have lived through something they probably should not have.” He said with a slight smile.

                “So, let me understand this from a, I guess, Human perspective. Are we angels or grim reapers or something like that?” Dallas asked bluntly.

                “Well yes, I guess you could say we are both, in a human’s perspective. The women of this realm are mostly the grim reapers as you would say but not in such a harsh term. They find souls and help to comfort them and escort them to the next realm for them, whatever the imagine that to be. Humans has such a wild imagination.” He laughed. “For the men in this realm we are more of the angels I suppose. We are protectors of the human realm and do our best to make sure that there is a balance between life and death.” Before Dallas could ask another question, they had rounded a corner into a small kitchen. The smell of fresh bread and sweets filled the room and she had realized she cannot remember the last time she had actually eaten. Her stomach protested loudly enough for Killian to notice.

                “Would you like me to grab you a bite princess?”

                “Yes please! Also please don’t call me princess, I don’t like pet names” She chided.

                “My apologies Dallas, it’s just that you’re the next in line for the throne of your family so I thought it appropriate to call you by what you are to our people now.” She snapped her head over to him. The realization that she hadn’t realized that he was right. Nobody blatantly told her that she was next in line. As if on que Killian produces a large plate of breads, sweets and fruits. Dallas didn’t even care what a slob she may have looked like all she could do was indulge herself on the most delightful food she had ever tasted. After she had devoured most of the plate, she looked over to Killian who had taken a chair in the corner and was playing with a knife he must had grabbed from his pocket.

                “I’m read to continue my tour now Killian.”

                “Wonderful, I was worried you may be hungry enough to eat the entire kitchen” His laugh that accompanied this made Dallas blush.

                “Let me show you to you room Prin….I mean Dallas.”

                As they walked it felt like forever. Corridor after corridor. Room after room.  She had no idea how time worked here but she knew that she was exhausted. They had walked down their final hallway and Killian opened the door for her to reveal a beautifully decorated room. She walked in too tired to fully take everything in and flopped herself onto the enormous bed. She was going to wait for Killian to leave so that she can figure out where to bathe and get into bed but again he had taken up residence in a deep burgundy chair in the corner, preoccupied with his knife. Dallas cleared her throat.

                “Yes?” He asked raising his eyebrow.

                “Well I just assumed that after you brought me to my room you would leave.”

                “Oh, I’m sorry Dallas but I was given direct orders to stay with you through the night just in case you slipped back into the grey and I would be able to come get you back.” She hadn’t thought about that or the fact that she could even be pulled back. She began to feel anxious at the thought of feeling nothing again and losing track of all the life she had admired on earth and here in Zemira.

                “Alright fine, can you point me towards a bath tub and maybe get me something to sleep in?”

                “Of course, Dallas,” He beamed at her. “I will go ready your bath and have someone bring you some clothes.” She was too tired to protest about feeling like she was being babysat and as she waited for Killian to come back, she had slipped into unconsciousness. The next thing she heard was someone far away yelling her name.