Pen in the Stone – A fictional tale
Claudia’s eyes fluttered open, but there was no light.
“Claudia,” Kind said, making her jump. “Sh, it’s okay, Claudia, I’m here.”
“Who…?” She tried, but her voice was too hoarse to speak.
Kind’s presence left her, and she started to panic. Her heart rate sped up, and she panted heavily trying to regain her breath.
“It’s okay,” He said, “Here, water.”
She felt a straw touch her lips, and she drank the water until she was satisfied.
“Thank you,” She said.
“Of course, now, what do you want to know?”
“What’s your name?”
“Julian. Julian Desmarais.”
“No. You’re lying.”
“Claudia, I know, okay, I know it doesn’t make sense, but I’m here to help you.”
“Why?”
“You’re my author, I have to.”
“You shouldn’t be real. If I’m your author, then…”
“Nothing is wrong with you.”
“Really, because from where I’m sitting, everything is wrong.”
Julian was silent, then a new voice entered and started speaking nonsense to her, but her mind was solely on him.
In her story, Julian Desmarais was the vampire prince of Neefa, a fantasy version of New York. He was set to marry the vampire princess of Petally, a fantasy version of Pennsylvania. With these two kingdoms united, they would be an unstoppable force of destruction upon the humans.
“Claudia!” Julian said, pulling her out of her thoughts.
“What?”
“You didn’t hear any of that, did you?”
“No…”
“Since the burns were taken care of in your coma, you can go home in a matter of weeks with physical therapy scheduled daily.”
Claudia nodded but still barely listened. “Do you know how you…”
“No, but I have a feeling it is to do with the chemicals that splashed down on you and your notebook.”
“You should be home.”
“I know, but what better way to get home than help my author.”