Follow Through

Aorta

Keanu and I were beside him in an instant.I tried to shake him but it was like trying to move a mountain.

"Ulrik!"

No response.

"Yo,Yo!.....wake up man," Keanu slapped his chest twice,wincing each time but his concern negated the pain.I frantically searched his exposed skin for an injury we hadn't noticed,a snake bite,anything.His eyes were closed and his body completely still.I bent and put my face an inch away from his nose and felt the air leaving his nostrils.He was breathing but it was shallow and well paced,as if he had fallen into deep slumber.His skin was unbroken and unmarred.Keanu tried to find a pulse point but his skin was hard and impenetrable and he fell back on his haunches,stared at the door that had opened into a wide foyer.I was trying to move Ulrik's hundred pound head from side to side but it proved to be as futile as trying to move his body.Dammit, weren't there supposed to be people in this place?

"Help!"

I looked back down at Ulrik but he hadn't moved.He was flat on his back and if I hadn't confirmed that he was breathing,I'd'av thought he was dead.

"Listen you self-righteous bastard,you better get the hell up right now!"

"Judah,we need to-"

Slap!

Keanu was cut off by open palm hitting the side of Ulrik's face.

"Jude!" He grabbed my hand and pulled me away.I was rewarded by a soft groan and a slight move of Ulrik's head,but he remained unconscious.

I shook my head and pulled away from Keanu and went back to Ulrik's side,put my legs on either side of him and sat on his belly.He was still motionless,with the soft,golden light from the doorway mixing with the rose tones of the night lending color to his grey pallor.

"Alright,you asked for it." I said to his unresponsive face as I prepared to give it another high five.

"I doubt that will be very effective."

The voice was cultured and sonorous, obviously coming from the top of the two giant feet that had appeared behind Ulrik's head.My eyes follow muscular calves to silky material that was gathered at his knees and ballooned out at his thick thighs and was once more gathered in a band above this navel.It looked like a pants a genie might wear and shifted to the colors of the night.His abdomen, pectorals and biceps were roped with thick cords of muscle.He was easily seven feet tall but I wasn't as astonished by that fact as I was by his startling beauty.

Well,that and the two golden tipped silver horns protruding from his forehead.

He has a perfectly sculpted square jaw with a flirtatious cleft in his chin and cheeks that were slightly hollowed out,further accentuating his impeccable jawline.His eyes are a deep emerald green that is in perfect contrast to his mahogany locks that fell to his wide shoulders.His skin was smoothly olive,without blemish or scar and my stomach clenched just looking at him.His teeth were pearly white and even.

Hubba hubba.

"If you'll allow me," he said while I sat on Ulrik with my mouth dragging on the floor.He bent and used a thumb the size of an English Sausage to swipe at Ulrik's forehead.He left a light dusting of gold that disappeared by the time he removed the digit.I followed his movements wordlessly,oblivious to everything around me.

I became acutely aware that world contained more than the exquisite male specimen before me when Ulrik's eyes flashed open and he lept to his feet,depositing me carelessly on the ground.

"What the devil were you doing,using me as a seat?" he demanded fiercely.

My heart was still going pitter patter at the sight of Adonis over there,who watched us wryly.

"I uh,um,sit,uh....what?"

I was sprawled in the wooden porch, incoherent and mumbling nonsense like a buffon,still staring at Mr.Greek God till Keanu spoke my name.

"Jude,you're drooling." His voice was laced with amusement and his mocking observation penetrated the fog of unbridled l**t clouding my brain.I scrambled to my feet and directed the full force of my embarrassed anger at my favorite target.

"I was trying to save your stupid life,you ungrateful lout!"

"By using me as a chair?" He asked incredulously.

"Actually she was about to slap you," said Too Handsome For Words,which caused Ulrik's cheeks to puff up and his eyes bulge in fury.

"I beg your pardon! You would dare to strike me while I was unconscious? When I've had the misfortune of having to save your life time and time again?!" He advanced towards me threateningly and I started a little advancing of my own.

"I was trying to wake you up! And I'm pretty sure I've preserved your sorry existence bub,or did you forget it when you swooned like a little girl?" I said to his chest,then tilted my head up so I could glare at his face.

"You'd do best not to slap me again Ms.Bishop,for I am no little girl" He said through gritted teeth.

"Oh yeah? Or what?" I demanded,going toe to toe now.

"Alright,that's enough." An arm snaked around my middle and I was gently pulled away from a fuming Ulrik.

"Keanu,let me go!" I squirmed and tried to dislodge his arm but it was pointless.

"You're acting crazy,Jude," he commented mildly at the same time that Drop Dead Gorgeous went to place a calming hand on Ulrik's shoulder.

"Ulrik,she is but a child and our guest,you needn't welcome her with threats." It was weird seeing Tree Bear dwarfed by someone,but even stranger to see him appear contrite.He hung his head.

"My apologies Glob,but she tries my patience." he mumbled and lifted eyes that were still aflame to me and I knew he was picturing my head in a pike.Since I couldn't hit hit him due to Keanu's hold,I did the next best thing.

I stuck my tongue out at him.

His eyes widened and he looked to Glob.

"Look! She taunts me! I tell you Glob,this chit is a nuisance! We can find another to protect Opa."

The beautiful Giant let out a rumble of a laugh and slapped Ulrik heartily on the back.I narrowed my eyes in disappointment when he didn't pitch forward and fall on his fat ugly face but I'd make sure retribution came soon.

Very soon.

See if I'll ever save his sorry butt again.

"Jest not, Ulrik," he said then turned to face us,gesturing widely to the open doorway "Come,the hour grows late,enter Judah.I presume you've had enough of the great outdoors Keanu?" He asked in a chastening tone that made Keanu redden slightly and mumble something unintelligible.It didn't even faze me that he knew my name.I doubt anything can surprise me anymore.

The night descended into further darkness that deepened the red hue of the air.I could hear the steady thumping heartbeat still and I began to notice just how grand the entryway was.Glob stepped over the threshold and into a wide,cavernous room that resembled an ostentatious hotel lobby,minus the reception desk.We followed him into the room with Ulrik bringing up the rear and closing the huge doors behind us.The room was lit by a an enormous chandelier that held not bulbs but silver and golden crystals that sparkled and shone brightly.The domed ceiling was painted in a colorful mural that depicted Opa.I could tell because I recognized Godis and and the food creatures,the meadow and the burgundy hill.The walls were painted a soft peach that served as the perfect backdrop for ornate,luxurious furniture in deep mahogany,rich reds,greens and blues.Our feet sank into a plush carpet of chocolate brown that I knew I could comfortably sleep on.There was heavy tapestry hung over what I inferred were wide windows and beyond this well appointed parlor I could make out a kitchen that was painted in a sunny yellow.Off to the right was a tall archway through which Glob walked.We followed,Glob and Ulrik,now a few paces ahead with heads bowed together,walking by rote and deep in muted conversation.The hallway was lined on both sides with a number of thick,golden wooded doors that shared identical golden knobs.There were hooks above each door that held oval shaped,softly glowing pink crystals.

The floor was covered in a wooly carpet of pale grey that made me want to just lay down.

"Why exactly did you run away from here?" I asked Keanu as we followed Big and Bigger to the furthest end of the hallway that opened up into another room.

"A rich prison is still a prison," he answered,shrugging.

"Give me netflix and nutella and I'm down for this kind of prison any day," I said as I ran my hand along the smooth,off-white wall.

Keanu has always been a firm believer in freedom and is a wanderer at heart.I knew that no matter how lavish the digs are he would never be comfortable in a place where he felt trapped and unable to move about as he pleased.

"I worry about you sometimes," He said as we entered into....a huge conference room that was dominated by a long,polished oak table that could easily seat ten people on either side.More thick tapestry in warm gold adorned the unseen windows.Cushioned chairs and setees were scattered around the room and an informal seating area was arranged around a marble fireplace that was lit and pumped out welcoming heat.The carpet here was a deep ruby red with swirling green designs.Another crystal holding chandelier hung from a steeped ceiling. I stopped and gripped Keanu's arm when the mouth watering scent of herbs and spices hit my nose.I stared at the platters of poultry,bread,rice,fruits and heaven knows what else that lay on the table,begging to be eaten and singing my name.I spotted salads and pasta,potatoes and pastries.

Oh baby.

I wanted to weep in appreciation.

Someone cleared their throat loudly and I tore my eyes from the future dwellers of my stomach and looked at Glob who sat on a large chair that resembled a throne at the head of the table.

"Care to have a seat with the rest of us?" He asked,that hint of amusement once again present in his voice.

Wait.Us?

Seated around the table was Ulrik, predictably at Glob's right hand......and two humans.

A man and a woman.

I looked at Keanu who looked at me,then in unison we looked at the fellow members of our species.

"Who are you?" We asked simultaneously.