Harper

The man held my hand as we walked away from the inn, his grip warm and firm. It was oddly comforting. The night air was crisp, the scent wood smoke mingling around us. My pulse had finally settled. Today has been one hell of a day. If their method is to throw scenarios at me to make me refocus from Ethan. Then who knows what could happen next? Would things escalate? No, there must been some puzzle I need to figure out. Some hook to this game. My eyes drift up to my new companion his red curls bounced with each step he took. He had a scruffy beard that matched. My fingers tightened slightly around his. “Where exactly are you taking me… brother?”

He let out a laugh, a rich and careless sound that made me feel just a little bit lighter. “You owe me big time, little lady.” He said slowing his pace so that we are walking side by side. “We need to get out of this village before those three change their minds and decide you’re both my sister and a witch.” he says with a serious tone.

Scoffing, I rolled my eyes at the absurdity. “I am not a witch.”

His expression sobered slightly as he studied me. “I believe you. You don’t carry yourself like a spellcaster.”

There was something in the way he said that, curiosity bloomed in me. Is magic real in this world? I then ask, “What’s your name?”

“…Thorin.”

I burst into laughter before I could stop myself, the reaction bubbling up unexpectedly. “And I was just saved by a hero named Thor?”

His eyes narrowed playfully. “My name is Thorin.”

“Alright then, brother Thor, I’m Harper.” I teased, unable to suppress my grin. He sighed, but there was no real irritation in his face.

We continued toward the edge of the village, the cobblestone roads giving way to dirt paths. My thoughts spun wildly as I continue to process my situation. The whole thing feels surreal. A town that wanted to burn me as a witch, a rogue stranger saving me at the last moment, and now… what? A great adventure?

While Thorin retrieved his horse from the stable, I found myself caught in a whirlwind of more questions. Where were we going? What was I meant to do now? And why did I feel like I was stepping straight into the plot of a book someone else had written for me? This guy is not a replacement for Ethan. Is this how they plan to heal my brain, set me up with a fictional replacement? He’s not even my type. They should’ve asked that in the questionnaire before they put me in the tank. At the same time, If I fall in love with a fictional character wouldn’t I grieve losing him too? What if the lesson is to grieve something else to get over grief?

Thorin returned with his horse, “Just so you know, I only have the one horse. We’ll have to share.”

Forced proximity. What a generic trope. I’m not falling for this trap. “Oh well,” I sighed dramatically, meeting his gaze. “I guess I have no choice, brother Thor.”

Thorin with a serious expression and surprising gentleness, hoisted me onto the horse before swinging up behind me. His arms braced around me as he took the reins, and then we were off, galloping away from town, the wind whipping my hair around me.

We rode for what felt like hours, I’ve only rode a horse once in my life, my legs were starting to grow uncomfortable and I started to grow concerned. I’m on a random horse with a stranger in dark woods. Ethan would totally scold me for being so reckless. The craziness of the day did distract me from my thoughts of him. Realizing this, the sadness took over again. I leaned back against Thorin, pretending, wishing he was really Ethan.

Thorin finally slowed near a small clearing. Thorin dismounted first, turning to offer me a hand, but I hesitated. “You don’t plan to take advantage of me, do you?” I asked, half-joking but watching him carefully.

His expression turned serious for a flicker of a second. “I am not that kind of man.”

He then lifted me down, his hands lingering only a moment before letting go.

“Why did you help me?” I asked, curiosity lacing my tone.

Thorin smirked, mischief dancing in his eyes. “I knew you weren’t a witch. But something about you intrigued me.

I narrowed my eyes. “That seems like a vague answer. Why would go through so much trouble for a curiosity?”

Instead of answering, he raised a hand, palm up, and began chanting in a language I couldn’t recognize. A shimmering blue sphere materialized above his hand, casting an eerie, magical glow over the camp. My breath caught. Magic. Real magic. He spoke into the orb with a confidence. “I’ve traced back to the village. I found some clues on our mission; we should meet in Dunlam in two days’ time.”

With a flick of his wrist, the sphere burst like a bubble, disappearing into the night.

I gaped at him. “So… you’re the witch?”

He smirked and corrected me. “Spellcaster.”

I folded my arms. “Okay spellcaster, why am I important to your mission?”

“It’s getting dark,” he said with an annoyed tone, brushing off my question. “We’ll sleep here tonight and then head to Dunlam. I’ll explain more tomorrow.”

I wasn’t sure If I should press him more, but I feel like I should tread lightly. I still don’t know him well enough. I looked around the clearing, suddenly aware of the lack of shelter. “Looks like I’m sleeping outside tonight.” I say under my breath.

Thorin pulls an extra bedroll from his horse and sets it near the fire. “Here.” he says gesturing towards it. “Get some rest.”

As I lay down, I stare into the crackling fire, the reality of the day hitting me all at once. The fear, the adrenaline, the uncertainty. But somehow, beneath it all, there was gratitude. “Thank you for saving me, brother Thor.”

His chuckle was soft. “You’re welcome.”

Exhaustion settled over me like a blanket and sleep took me faster than I expected. But my peace didn’t last long.

I woke with a start, a crushing weight pinning me down. My eyes flew open, and I was met with a face twisted in fury. Rough hands wrapped around my throat, squeezing. My instincts kicked in, I thrashed, kicked, clawed at his arms, but he was too strong.

“I recognized your dress,” the man snarled. “It belongs to my wife. You bewitched her, didn’t you? Did you lay a curse on my family?”

Tears pricked my eyes. My lungs burned. I tried to scream, but his grip was too tight.

Then, suddenly, he was gone.

Thorin had ripped him away from me, throwing him to the ground. “I knew we should have left earlier,” Thorin mutters.

The man, now crazed with rage, pulled a sword from his belt. “She cursed my family. My wife, my Teeny!”

Thorin barely hesitated. With one swift motion, he grabbed an axe and hurled it. The blade sank deep into the man’s chest. A sickening thud. A gasp. A body collapsing.

I stared, frozen. My breath came in shaky, uneven gulps.

“You just… killed him,” I croaked, my voice barely audible.

Thorin met my gaze, unflinching. “He tried to kill you.”

I looked at the lifeless body, my hands instinctively reaching for my throat. Teeny’s father was dead. I know I should be glad he can no longer kill me, but he is also another human being. I didn’t want her to lose her father. Tears flow down my face as I watch Thorin pull his axe free of his chest and wipe it clean. “We should go.”

I didn’t move. My mind was still reeling. Please tell me this isn’t really real.

Gently, Thorin helped me to my feet and lifted me onto the horse. The world blurred around me as we rode into the dim light of dawn.