I've decided...

To put my author notes in the front,

Than the ending,

So deal with it,

Cuz I don't care, enjoy! =w= ~Siddot

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Chapter 4 - Who Is He?

A snapping sound was herd and my eyes shot open, jolting up. My vision blurred into focus and saw the still burning embers of the fire. It made sudden crackling and popping sounds which probably woke me up in the first place. The sun was beaming, but the shade of the large tree casted a shadow that shaded me from it. I yawned and stretched in place, looking at the tree. I jumped up hearing the noise again, this time it wasn't the fire. I glanced around and spotted the guy, still tied up, running.

I blinked and quickly got to my feet after him. I dove and tackled the masked guy, making him land hard on his stomach. He growled and huffed as I slowly dragged him back in place, under the tree. He mumbled something, but I couldn't make it out. It seemed that he never raises his voice.

"Who are you?" I asked, wanting an answer, but got no reply. "Ok... what are you then?"

He leaned his head on the tree and tilted it slightly. I don't really know what he was doing, but it looked like he was facing me. That blank stare sent a shiver down my spine.

"Look, I know you can talk, so tell me or you'll get the stick again!" I threatened.

"That is none of your concern." He said with no hint of emotion.

"Well... Can you at least tell me where I am?"

"The Under-Realm." He said blankly.

I blinked in confusion, "Wait what? Under-Realm?"

He sighed with annoyance, "Let me go. Then I will answer your questions."

"No, I'm not that stupid you monster!" I growled.

I guess it wasn't the best first conversation and aquatints. I tied him to the tree, making sure he wouldn't run again. He stayed quiet after that, for awhile. I started to feel bad and played with the fire, making sure it wouldn't go out. The silence continued until he broke it.

"I need to go." He deadpanned. I turned and faced him. He was looking at the moon, which reflected an eerie light shining down.

"Your not going anywhere." I said, and continued to poke the fire with a stick.

"What is your intention with me." He asked plainly.

I thought for awhile, but couldn't think of what I was going to do with this strange guy. "I think you can help me." I lied.

"I'm not helping a stupid human." He said.

I stood up and glared at him with my red eyes, "Excuse me? I don't know if you can see, but I'm clearly not normal!"

"You are human, I can sense it." He said,

"Well I'm not to the others then. That's why I ran out here anyway." I said and sighed.

There was a brief silence then he spoke, "That explains how you got out here in the first place."

I looked at him in question, "Huh?"

"Humans can't get in the Under-Realm. So your apparently not what I thought." He said,

"Ok... " I said quietly,

He struggled in his bind slightly, "I need to go now."

"No." I said sternly, but he didn't listen and kept expanding the ropes. I blinked in surprise and pulled out my knife. "You have to help me now! You know something don't you?"

"It's best at times not to know." He said calmly, stopping and facing me.

"Well, I want answers to my questions." I commanded.

He tilted his head, the black liquid was oozing out of the eye sockets of his mask. "How bout I ask the questions now." He said mischievously,

I raised one of my eyebrows in curiosity, he defiantly wasn't the friendly type. Was he going to try something on me? I shrugged it off and accepted his questions, might as well do something nice to this guy if I actually want him to help me. I don't even trust him, but I need to find out why I'm like this.

"Do you kill?" He asked,

I blinked, "Uh, yeah, I guess."

"Where are you heading?"

I shrugged, "That's what I'm trying to find out."

"Why are you in my territory?" He demanded,

"Your territory? Look, I didn't even know this was 'Yours' to BEGAIN with, so don't get your panties in a wad." I said, rolling my eyes.

"I should have known that you were uneducated." He said, "If you were smart, you would let me go, before he comes for me."

"He? Who's he?" I asked

"No more questions until I'm free." He demanded.

I sighed and quickly sliced the rope. "There. Go." I said.

He shot up and grabbed my neck, not this again... "Your lucky I have to go. Stay away from here, and go away." He growled slightly and let go, walking off.

I coughed and rubbed my neck, "Wait, I want your name..." I pleaded,

He stopped, "I don't think that's your concern of learning."

"I'll tell you mine... If you tell me yours." I bargained, what am I doing...

There was a slight hesitation, but he answered, "Eyeless Jack." He said in a monotone voice.

I nodded, reassuring to myself that he most likely have no eyes now. "I'm Jean..." I said,

He paused and turned around, "Change your name." Was all he said, then he walked off before I could say anything back. I blinked and looked down, was there something wrong with my name? I mean, I thought it was nice.

I stood up and looked around, this place is very strange. No wonder it's called the Under-Realm. My mother and father told me stories of this when I was younger. It seemed a bit more complicated in life than in the books itself, but that's life smacking you in the face and saying 'I told you so'.

I climbed back in the tree and leaned back, playing with my butcher knife. I glanced at the backpack. Should I open it now? It's been a few days since the incident anyway. Maybe father packed something important in there. Nah, there was still a hesitant feeling around it. Why am I so scared to open a stupid pack than tackle and hold hostage some sort of creature? I'm giving a wild guess that my mind is scrambled at the moment. I just need to find a proper place to stay, but I'm too lazy that right now.

Gazing at the sky, I recalled what 'Eyeless Jack' said. If he had a problem with my name, so be it. Why would I let a stranger boss me around like a child? I sighed with frustration and closed my eyes. Jean doesn't sound THAT bad, it's quite ok for a girl. I don't see why I have to change my name, there's nobody else out here, at least to my known knowledge. I'm staying right here, it's nice. Even though it stays darker for a longer time, which I haven't really mentioned to myself. I can live with it, the sun isn't my best friend out here anyway.

Listing the positives of a situation has always been a habit of mine. Yes, it's a strange one, but it benefits me more like in a good way. I picked it up from my mother I suppose.

I laid down on the tree branch and thought. I decided to go deeper into the woods tomorrow, I know there has to be something out there or this would just be a waste of time. It's better trying and finding nothing than living with a what if forever.