Chapter 1
Laverne looked around the main area and didn't see Vieira. A thump came from upstairs. She moved into the foyer and looked up.
"Vieira." Nothing but silents. "Vieira, we need to talk."
She walked up and looked down the hallway. She nearly tripped over the last step as she looked at a door that didn't belong in the house. Something glistened on the floor.
It was a beautiful necklace. Vieira was wearing it when they found her. Laverne gripped it as she looked at the door.
Something was wrong here. This house was starting to scare her. She thought she was hearing voices at nights which kept her wake.
"Vieira." Laverne's voice shook as she looked down the hallway. The two bedrooms she saw appeared to be empty.
She looked back at the strange doors. Did Vieira go through it? No, she wouldn't, would she? Dam.
The necklace dug into her palm. Laverne opened the door and looked into the darkness.
"Vieira." She moved forward into the blackness hands trembled. Something moved past her leg and she jumped forward.
The door closed and threw her in darkness.
"No, no, this can't be happening."
Laverne turned around and reached out her hands to find the door. But there was nothing. A blind light flashed and she closed her eyes. The next moment she found herself surrounded by sand.
Sand that was flying into her eyes.
"Ahh." She screamed and threw her arms up.
"Help me." She tried to look through her arms. She began to turn around seeing nothing out there.
"Here." Someone grab her arm, "hold on."
Suddenly she was being led somewhere. She didn't care where it was as long as it wasn't here. Time became lost to her until she found herself in a tent.
Laverne dropped her hands and finally got a good look at her saver. Except he was covered from head to toe. All she could see where his brown eyes.
"Thank you." She croaked.
"Sit." The man motioned to the floor where blankets were laid out. She sat down and watched him as he searched the bags.
There was nothing else in the tent. Laverne looked around to find nothing. She could not make out where the door was.
"Drink." The man handed her a waterskin. She took it reluctantly and drank it.
"Thank you." She wiped her cracked lips.
"Where am I? Who are you?"
The man lifted his hand to stop her and sat down across from her.
"I'm Xerxes. And you're on Aorva. A world different from earth. What is your name?"
"Laverne Van. I'm on a different world. But how did I get here? And how can I understand you? How can I get back home?"
"God has brought you here and changed your language to understand us. But it's impossible to go back to Earth. I myself came from a time of the Assyrian empire. Are you Vieira's sister?"
"Vieira. How do you know her? Is she here?"
Xerxes lifted a hand. "She's not here but I know where she is. She is safe with Deraz. I'm heading back to Ephiam? were she lives. I tell you all about this world as we journey. But you need a change of clothes. I'll be back." Xerxes left her alone in the tent.
What the hell. Laverne put a hand on her face.
Her sister was here. And both of them were in a different world. It almost seemed impossible. She touched the carpet she sat on. It was rough and real. This was no joke. She has to get her sister and get out of here. To go back home.
Shit, what about her job. She is supposed to start in three days. And aunt Anna. She said she would call them back soon when they arrived. And ... What would he think when he comes home. This couldn't be happening.
But Vieira made it back home so she had to know how to return home. So she needs to get to her sister then they can return home. As fast as possible.
Xerxes returned with some clothes. "Is this yours?" He held out a necklace.
"Yes," she reached out and took it. "It's Vieira's. She dropped it when..."
He nodded in understanding. "You should change. I'll leave you alone." He got up and left. She hurried to change and sat down waiting. It wasn't long until he returned.
"The storm has moved on we will leave soon."
"Thank you. Is there anything I can help with?" Laverne asked.
The man, Xerxes, showed her how to take down the tent. As they were working she saw other men taking down tents and packing the horses. Once they were done he put the tent on a horse and told her to wait. He spoke with some men and returned to her. He lifted her up and she swinged on to the horse. He sat behind her and off they went.
