Strangers meet

Mia , though was comfortable in the ridge, she felt very very lonely. The days and nights were all alike. She had her little storage of food. Lin had left behind some books and papers to keep herself busy. But she couldn't do anything much other than overthink and worry. Some time Or the other she would take out a book and flip through, other times she would scribble something and then mash the papers and throw it away disheartened. She wanted to help Lin too. She wanted to figure a way out of the mess too.She was feeling she was loosing badly at this game of waiting. She didn't want to be a liability, she wanted to be an aid, an ally.

One such lonely morning, as she paced up and down in her tiny confinement, she heard a noise. She wasn't sure what it was so she followed it to check. It took her to the opening. It was sealed with Lin's power, which was pretty strong. She saw an injured animal whining in the bush infront. She tried calling it but apparently it couldn't hear her. The animal slowly shape shifted into a very large man. He was on a lot of agony. The day set into night. She could no longer ignore his mourns. She tried pushing the barrier open. There was no luck in the beginning. She tried concentrating. All her life she had only seen immortals practice their magic, but had she ever tried it herself. This was her first time. She tried her best. But she was failing badly. The barrier seemed pretty strong. But she neither could ignore the injured person suffering infront of her. After several attempts she sat down exhausted. Then after a while she thought to herself "one last time" and barged in with all her might with closed eyes.

She opened her eyes and found herself standing outside the ridge, the barrier behind her.

"Yes! " She exclaimed in joy.

The man looked up as she composes herself again.

"Excuse me.Are you alright sir. You have been in pain all day" She asked going near him.

The man made a grunting sound that clearly showed that he was annoyed. She backed off a few steps and exclaimed "clam down sir. I come in peace. I just want to help you if you allow me"

"Who are you? " The man growled.

"Umm... I am Mia" Mia no longer knew how she should introduce herself " May I? " She asked as she bent down to examine his wounds.

He seemed rather agitated by her touch but never the less allowed her to take a look.

"These are some really serious injuries. What sort of a weapon did tear your flesh? " She asked as she went on examining the rest of his wounded body "sir try to rest a bit . I will go look for something to clean your wound and make an oinment to apply on the affected areas. "

She went ahead looking for some water source. There was one inside the barrier but she was afraid she might not be able to break out of it again if she went inside. After looking for sometimes she found a little pond under some rocks. She tore a portion of her cloth to carry the water to the injured.

"Here let me clean the wounds. Please bear with me. It might be unpleasant. " She gave him a warning but he seemed to totally ignore her. As she finished her cleaning she went ahead to see if she could find any medicinal herbs to apply on the wounds. It took her some time but she did find a handful.

"Here you go. I have been collecting these with my mother for sometimes now. Lucky that i found them here. Mr...? " She was happily mumbling but stopped mid track when she realised her patient was gone.

"How rude. He couldn't even wait for a little thanks giving " She looked here and there then decided it would be best for her to get back inside the barrier after all.

" Are you hungry? I am" She asked her baby bump " Let's go and eat then" .Her mood seemed to have cheered up immensely.

Lin, Boshu, Xie and Roe tied themselves with the ropes they assembled . They had made it with the net on which Lin and Boshu had got trapped. As they got ready to climb out a swarm of bats attacked them. Each one fought bravely. Though badly scratched and injured, they made their way out. Each helping the other.

"Now what" Roe asked huffing from the excitement.

Lin took out an ancient compass like device from his pocket.

"Wow.what is this? " Roe was excited at most things new.

"It's a family heirloom. It helps us to identify reality. " Lin explained " Once we identify the direction where reality goes, we have to travel the other way. The mirror will then take us to the other side ".

" How does your family have the reality identifier? " Xie was looking at Lin with an expression that could burn him.

"Aren't we happy that he has that. Otherwise how would we make out the real from the fake in this maze? " Roe intervened to diffuse the situation.

"The lady is correct. We must co-operate since we share the same goal" Boshu tried to help and impress Roe at the same time.

As they started walking the reality identifier began vibrating " This way" Lin pointed after checking. As they walked ahead, they came face to face with a huge silver mirror, that seemed to hold a silvery liquid inside instead of glass. All four marveled with awe.