Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

" W hoa!" I yelp, flailing my arms as I lose my balance. Suddenly the basement is just... gone. Poof! And then there is nothing. It only lasts a second before I find myself stumbling, trying not to do a total face-plant on the floor.

Where am I? Before my mind can formulate an answer, I collide with something warm and solid. A pair of huge strong hands catch me, steadying my wobbling legs, and I look up... and up... and up into the most mesmerizing face I've ever seen.

Holy ...

The beast — because what else can I call him? — stares down at me with an expression of shock that mirrors my own. He's easily seven feet tall, has skin the color of creek moss, and actual tusks protruding from his lower jaw. Oh, and muscles.

So. Many. Muscles.

Despite his fearsome appearance, I feel an instant, inexplicable connection. No, not a connection. It's more than that. A flurry of tingles shoots through my body straight to my girly parts.

"Oh my God," I breathe. I don't mean to say it out loud, but he's massive. And green.

My mind, and body are whirling. "You're... you're..."

"An orc," he growls, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.

"An orc," I repeat dumbly. Then it hits me. "An orc! What is happening?" I spin around trying to orient myself. But the basement is gone as I had feared. "Where am I? Am I dreaming?" I whisper, more to myself than to him. I'm in some sort of stone walled building with oak rafters high above. A tower, judging by the round shape end it appears ancient. Moonlight streams in through arched windows. Beyond the doorway, I can see the twinkling lights of what looks like a quaint village nestled in a valley.

It's so beautiful.

My head spins, and I feel like I might faint.

This is impossible. I'm hallucinating.

Black mold! Maybe Mia was right about black mold in the basement. That has to be it—I inhaled high levels of noxious spores and now I'm in the throes of a spaced-out toxic delirium!

As my mind continues to reach for answers, the large hands gently release, careful to ensure I can stand on my own. I steady myself, grasping for his arm for a second. Another zing of heat rushes to my core as my fingers meet his muscular flesh. Oh, he's real alright.

The giant green guy seems just stunned as I am as he steps back. He reaches for something at his belt.

Jeezus that's some club. And... oh my... I can't help but notice a rather prominent bulge beneath his pants.

A thousand questions flood my mind as I remember the stories that have trickled down from Aunt Charlotte—tales of hidden realms and magical creatures. I've always longed to believe were true. But this... this is beyond anything I could have imagined.

"Do you... do you speak English?" I ask hesitantly, still half-convinced I'm experiencing toxin-induced psychosis.

He blinks those mesmerizing amber eyes and growls, "Of course I speak English. What kind of barbarian do you take me for?"

O-kaay. I flinch at his gruff tone, but can't help a nervous laugh. "Sorry, I just... I've never met an orc before. I -"

"How did you get here, tiny human?" he rumbles, cutting me off.

I swallow hard and look around again, trying to gather my thoughts. "Honestly? I have no idea. I was in the basement, and then...I don't know. Where am I? Everything looks like a fairytale...and you..." I let the words hang in the air, not really even sure what I to say about coming face to face with a giant green monster of myth and legend.

For a second, I think I see the orc's lips twitch, almost like he's fighting a smile but then it's gone, replaced by that scowl again. "This isn't a fairytale, human. You shouldn't be here. It's not safe—not for you or for us."

"Not safe? What do you mean? And who's us exactly?" I'm not even sure I want answers to those questions. The reality of the situation is starting to sink in, and it's terrifying. I am totally out of my element. I mean I'm talking to an Orc.

Without giving him time to respond, I continue, "And hey it's not like I came here of my own free will, okay? And I don't even know where here is, let alone how to get back."

"That's not my problem," he growls, but I see a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

"So, it's mine?" My face flushes with anger and I scowl right back at him before my eyes trail down to his club again.

"You ask too many questions," he barks, though I swear I detect curiosity on his part as well.

"Look, do you see any doors in here?" I look all around the room I seem to have magically appeared in. "I just showed up, I told you!"

"Your appearance is... puzzling," he admits.

"I promise I'm not here to cause trouble. I just... I don't… I need to understand what's happening. And this place – your place. It's incredible. Maybe I could just take a little look around. I mean I have always dreamed of visiting a place like this. It's amazing. A dream come true. I'm completely overwhelmed in the best way possible. Maybe you could do a girl a solid and show me around?"

His face softens almost imperceptibly. "You've dreamed of this?"

"Well, yeah," I admit. "Ever since I was a little girl. But I never actually thought... I mean…"

How is this happening? I'm talking to an orc for god's sake!

A stunningly hot orc.

Focus, Zoe. Not the time. Besides, it can't be real.

But it is, isn't it? Well for the sake of argument, let's say it is.

It's not though.

Shh, you!

Hot orc or not, I'm in trouble, and the full weight of the situation is starting to crash down on me. My body starts to tremble. Is this what shock feels like?

The orc - I still don't know his name - seems torn himself. "Listen, human—"

"Zoe," I correct him.

He grunts and stares for a long moment before conceding. "Fine. Zoe. Only one thing matters—you going back wherever you came from. Now."

"I thought we covered that?" I say gesturing around the tower room. "I don't know how. One minute I was in the sub- basement at work, the next..." I wave my hands in the air. "Poof. Here I am."

His eyes narrow. "What do you mean, 'poof'?"

"You know, like magic—abra cadabra, hocus pocus, poof!" I wiggle my fingers for emphasis. "I mean, where I come from, we don't have… uh… well..." I gesture vaguely at him. I also notice he has not offered his own name.

He grunts, looking increasingly agitated. "This isn't a joke, human."

My initial shock must be wearing off little by little because I suddenly remember a few more details. The writing. The arch. "Maybe it was some kind of secret door?"

"Door? I see no door hum—er, Zoe," he corrects himself, and I'm oddly touched that rather than calling me human, he used my name like I asked.

"Neither do I! Okay? I just spit balling here!"

"Enough!" His nasty scowl reappears. "You're in danger here. One way or another I need to get you out of town before—"

"Town? I perk up instantly. "There's a whole town of orcs? That's what you mean by ‘us', right? A whole town of your kind?" I ask as I point excitedly out the window.

"Of course there's a town," he snaps, clearly annoyed.

"Well, can I see it?"

"No!" he barks. "You have no idea what you'd be walking into. Humans are not welcome in Fablewood"

"Fablewood?!" My jaw drops. "That's the name of your town?" My hand flies to my chest in an attempt to still my beating heart. "Now you definitely have to show me," I plead. "Come on, where's your sense of adventure?"

"Adventure?" He looks at me like I've grown a second head. "This isn't a game, Zoe. You don't seem to comprehend. There are real dangers out there."

"If you say so," I snort skeptically before I catch myself.

What's gotten into me? One minute I am on the verge of a panic attack– and who wouldn't be? – And the next I want to go exploring like this is the newest ride at Disney!

Something about the big green guy just makes me feel safe. It's odd, cause at first glance he looks anything but safe. (He's an Orc, hello!) Yet, I get this inexplicable feeling not only that big guy over here won't hurt me, but that he'd actually throw himself between me and any threat of danger that might befall me. Stupid? Maybe. Probably.

"I do say so," he says, puffing up his chest, as if he needs to. I can't help but wonder just what his chest looks like under the simple white linen tunic he wears.

Zoe. Fooocus.

"But this is the opportunity of a lifetime. A whole hidden world—for both of us.! We could learn from each other. I could tell you about my world too!"

For a moment, I see a flicker of something in his eyes – curiosity? Interest? But then it's gone, replaced by that stern mask.

"It's not going to happen," he says gruffly. "One way or another, you must go back."

I open my mouth to argue further, but he's already turning away, muttering to himself and searching the room. "There has to be something..."

As he pokes around, I take the opportunity to really study him. Despite his gruff demeanor, there's something undeniably sexy about this guy. Maybe it's the way his muscles ripple as he moves, just under the surface of the tunic. Or the intense focus in his eyes. Or maybe you're just a total nutjob, Zoe.

A nutjob with her mind in the gutter.

Still, I can't deny the attraction I feel– a mix of fascination, stimulation, admiration, and... something else I can't quite name.

It's called mental illness, Zoe.

"Find anything?" I try to keep my voice casual.

He grunts in frustration. "Nothing. Whatever vehicle brought you here, I see no trace of it."

"Well, then I guess It's like I said, I'm stuck here for now." If I'm being honest, I'm more than a little surprised to find myself excited by the prospect. "Might as well make the best of it, right?"

Big, green, and handsome turns back to me, his expression torn. "You don't understand. If anyone sees you—"

The sound of voices approaching cuts him off mid-sentence. The orc's eyes widen in panic.

"Thokk? That you?" a deep voice calls out.

So that's his name. Suits him somehow.

Thokk glances from me to the doorway then back to me again, clearly conflicted.

"Thokk," I whisper tentatively, trying out his name. "Is this bad?"

He seems to pay me no mind as his forehead wrinkles, clearly in thought. Then, as I watch, he pulls off a bracelet as well as his belt.

What the hell is he doing, undressing?

Before I know it, he's fashioned what looks a hell of a lot like a collar and leash.

No way. He's not—

Sure enough, before I can even protest, I feel his bracelet clamp around my neck.

"Hey!" I yelp. "What the hell?" Part of me is outraged by the fact he just leashed and collared me, while another part is enjoying the zing of erotic pleasure that shoots through me at the thought of being his pet.

I definitely need to see a shrink.

"Shh!" he hisses. "Just... act like my prisoner. Please. Am trying to protect you!"

I want to argue, but the urgency in his voice, combined with his gentle touch and sincere gaze, evoke my trust and I shut up, nodding reluctantly.

As heavy footsteps approach, I attempt to look appropriately cowed.

I peek around his massive form as he strides to the door and swings open revealing two more... beasts?

"Holy, holy...moly," I manage to whisper as I come to the realization that this fairytale land has mythical creatures other than orcs.

One looks like a minotaur straight out of Greek mythology. The other... What the...?

Is that Bigfoot?

"Thokk!" the minotaur booms. "We thought we heard voices. Did you find Othrix?"

My jaw hangs open as they enter.

"By the elder gods," the minotaur exclaims. "Is that a human?"

Thokk straightens up, puffing out his chest. "I caught this one trying to sneak into town," he says gruffly. "But snared her easily."

"Well done, brother. Seems you were right to be concerned. Our wards have indeed failed," the bull-headed creature replies.

"Was it hard to catch? Did it put up a fight?" The Bigfoot asks.

I know I should stay quiet, but I honestly can't help myself. "Excuse me," I pipe up, "but I'm not an ‘it'. My name is Zoe. And it's not like I even wanted to be here. Really, I'm no threat. I'm a good Zoe. I promise. I'm just very lost and very, very confused."

"Indeed, you are," the bigfoot creature booms, as the two newcomers both look to Thokk. I can't tell if they are shocked or confused themselves, or both.

But their appearance seems to have almost thrown a switch inside me. Clearly, I have lost my mind. I might as well embrace the adventure in wonderland.

"Are you a Bigfoot? Or, well, I guess a relative of Bigfoot? And you – an actual minotaur? This is incredible!"

Thokk tugs on the leash. "Silence, prisoner," he growls, but I catch a hint of what almost looks like admiration, or maybe amusement in his eyes.

"Sorry," I stage-whisper. "I'll be good. Promise."

The minotaur recovers first. "I have never heard of a Zoe. She just looks like a regular human to me. But what will you do with her, Thokk? Take her to the elders?"

Thokk shakes his head. "No, not yet. I need to... question her first. Find out how she got in, if there are others. You know, for security."

"Good thinking," Bigfoot nods. "Should we send out patrols and at least alert the watch?"

"No, no, let me interrogate her first."

"Of course," the bull breathes. "Excellent work."

With that the two incredible beasts exit.

As they leave, I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding. "Holy, holy, holy...that was a god damn bigfoot! And a freaking minotaur! Either I am high as a kite on mold or I am way down the rabbit hole. Either way, that was close," I murmur, finally calming down a little. "Thanks for not, you know, turning me over to be executed or whatever."

Thokk grunts. "Don't thank me yet. I still don't know what I'm going to do with you."

I bite my lip, once again, feeling that annoying suspicion that this is no dream, and no mold induced trip. I'm in a strange world, surrounded by creatures I thought only existed in stories, with no idea how to get home. I should be terrified. And I am, kinda mostly. But then there's Thokk and all the crazy inexplicable feelings he is stirring up.

"You know, this is the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me," I admit. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm scared. But also, sorta, kinda, maybe a little thrilled? Does that make me crazy?"

Thokk's stern expression softens slightly. "All humans are crazy," he says as if it is the most obvious thing in the world. "But yes, I think I understand what you mean. How you feel, Zoe human."

His words hang in the air, but he does not elaborate. Instead, our eyes meet, and that electric tingle runs through me again. There's something about him – this gruff, green-skinned warrior – that is intoxicating in its own right. It's more than just fascination with a new discovery. It's... I have no idea what it is, but I want more.

"So," I say, breaking the moment before it gets too intense. "What now?"

Thokk rolls his eyes, but I catch the hint of a smile. "For now, you stay hidden and out of sight. With me. I need to think."

"Works for me," I do my best to be cheerful. "I've got about a million more questions besides. Starting with, can I take this collar off now? It's kind of a lot for a first date...I mean..."

Thokk's green skin darkens in what I realize must be a blush. "I had no choice..."

"Yes, I mean, of course...but, er...it's really not my style..."

"But you are alive, yes?" he booms.

Well, I guess he has a point there...

With that he grabs the leash and tells me to follow as we step out into the night. "Come."