Chapter Three

Seeing the person, I turned to face them a little better. Oh...Oh dear, was that who I thought it was? Why would he come here? Why would he risk his family's wrath? I closed my eyes and then I slowly walked closer to the young man who was leaning over the book, studying it hard.

"Ah so if I add a little Wolfsbane..." He muttered to himself. "But not too much, else it will have ill effect..."

He was so absorbed in his work I didn't want to both him. He went on talking to himself as if he didn't know anyone else was around him.

"That should keep those pesky aliens away! If they come back, I just utter this spell and throw this at them and they'll run!" he laughed then and finally looked up from his book.Our eyes locked. He looked startled but then his face relaxed into a warm smile.

"Lefia!" He abandoned the book which slammed shut and came over to me.

"C-Cinder I don't...Why...How...?" I couldn't speak.

You see Cinder is a Elf like me, a cursed one as well. Our entire tribe suffers the curse. Cinder is a bit older than I am and he was also my best friend back home. I had only left him a letter, too scared to say goodbye. When I was young, he promised he'd marry me someday. Not that I ever believed that  - he promised three other girls the same thing. He was the one I shared my first kiss with though.

"Simple!" He replied, a grin on his face. "I didn't tell anyone where I was going!" He laughed, as if it were funny.

"B-but...you....Your mother strictly forbade...!" My protests fell on deaf ears. His grin remaining he went on to say;

"Listen Lefia, I'm a grown man. I can do what I want. If mom don't like it, she can come and get me. I doubt she will though. I didn't tell anyone where I was going. Unless they're tracking me. Do you think they're tracking me?"

"Cinder, stop it. No one is tracking you. I'm just worried. You shouldn't be here. This was my mission"

Didn't he see I was just worried about him?

"Ehhh....mission, smission!" He waved off my worries. "I came because I was worried about you. The faeries in the trees said you were in trouble. Or lonely. Oh I forget, but hey I'm here now!" He seemed so proud of himself. I sighed.

"There are no more faeries in the trees Cinder. You know that" Now my voice was soft acceptance. Cinder was here, there was no way he was leaving. "Where are you living now anyway?"

"Here generally. I sleep outside and come and work on some Alchemy potions every day. It's fun. I turned this one guy into a clown!" I shook my head and rolled by eyes but I was happy he was here and that I was no longer the only Elf in Moonlight Falls.

I pulled him into a strong hug, cutting off whatever he was going to say next.

"I missed you Cinder"

"Aw...I missed you too Lefia."

From that moment on Cinder became a constant fixture at my house. He visited nearly everyday. I didn't have a place for him to sleep so he was usually always gone by the time I was ready for bed. He just seemed to slip out of the house without me even knowing that he left. That all changed on night.

I remember it so clearly. It was a Full Moon. I just got done working out and Cinder was being a gentleman and doing my dishes for me. I was happy he was doing them. I hated doing dishes. He talked while he did it, but it was mainly to himself. His usual stuff about aliens and mummies and sometimes mummy alien cats that liked to chew on his toes while he slept.

No, I don't have an idea what he's talking about either.

I stood to thank him. It was nearly time for him to go. I usually always gave him a hug unless he snuck out the door while I was showering or something.

"Thanks again, Cinder. I'm so glad you're always here"

"I'll always be there for you. Didn't I promise you that?"

"But I wish there was some way I could thank you" I breathed, stepping closer to him. This was very unlike me. I chalk up now to the Full Moon.

"Then kiss me" He whispered.

"Kiss you?" I was nervous but...

"Not like that." He grabbed me. "Like this"

And we were suddenly locked in a passionate embrace right there in my kitchen. I was breathless by the time he pulled away.

"I really like you Lefia" He murmurered. "Shower with me"

I blushed. I never had an experience with that. I tried to stammer a no but he simply kissed me again. Soon I found myself doing exactly what he wanted.

And afterwards, we both sleepily made our way to my bed.

And that was the first of many times that Cinder stayed with me. We were happy together, snuggled up in each other's arms. I loved when he came over. Most of the time we would shower together, sometimes we would only go and lay together in the bed and fall asleep in each other's arms.

But one morning I got up and I was alone.It was very unlike him. It was a dark morning and I quickly realized it was closer to afternoon. I called him but he didn't answer. I tried to stick to my usual day, but I was worried about Cinder.

Finally when it began to rain, he walked in the door.

I stood up. "Cinder where have you been?"

"Just out. I had to go to work. Oh, I didn't tell you I got a new job. Sorry, I should have and I should have left a note but there was a suspicious looking gnome outside"

"Oh Cinder, I don't have a gnome...." I paced away, feeling dejected.

"Lefia wait" He turned me about and grabbed my arms. "I'm sorry. I should have told you."

"You should have"

"I really am sorry"

"I know"

"Please don't me mad?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "I won't be mad"

"It's just...you mean alot to me Cinder. I thought something happened to you" I frowned. "You should have at least texted me back."

"I won't ever do it again" He grabbed my hands and swung them side to side in his and gave me a goofy grin. How could I resist?

"So Cinder..." I started. "I know we've only been seeing each other about a month but...I was wondering if we can make it official?" 

"Of course!" He seemed happy.

"How about to celebrate, you move in?"

"Even better!" He grinned and pulled me in for a kiss. "And I know what we can do first"

And he marched into the bathroom. I giggled and marched in after. I haven't been this happy in a very long while. Perhaps I have done something right by leaving my forest. Perhaps he did too.

Chapter Two

I suddenly knew what was wrong with me! I needed a job! I was almost broke anyway. I headed down to the local theater and headed to the backdoor, entering only to be met with a thug who was twice my size. The muscles on his arms bulged as he glared at me. Oh Plumbo. I gave him a glare though, putting on my scariest face.

"I want a job here!" I told him

"Oh yeah? Well you're gonna have to talk to the boss"

Well I did and you know what? I got hired! I stuck my tongue out at muscle boy as I exited the building. I walked outside into the fresh night air feeling a bit better about myself now. At least I now had a job. But I really did need some more stuff for my house....huh... Dumpsters...

Up we go!

Theres not very good things in here at all...Ew...A dead mouse! Oh look a rock! Huh...was this a chair once?

Well I didn't find anything that good. I found a rock though. I had no idea what kind of rock, but it was a rock and now it was mine. I supposed I could sell it or...throw it at someone. Something. I don't know but I was keeping that rock. Maybe it was lucky. But why did someone throw it away? Hmm...I should have thought about that before picking it up.

Well anyway, I caught a late night taxi home and crawled into bed. It was a nice bed and a pretty nice room. A little small but hey, I wasn't in it for a fancy house. Maybe someday...but on my salary? It wasn't going to be any day soon.

I woke up to a...dark day. It was about to rain. Oh well..I suppose it doesn't matter. I was going to be stuck inside work all day. I pushed myself out of bed and checked the time. Oh cracker jacks! I was going to be late to work! I changed clothes in a rush.

And ran out the door as fast as I could. Hopefully the carpool would wait!

Oh good it did. Ugh. This is a tiny car. I don't like it. Oh well off to work!

After some minor criminal activity, I headed for the carpool once more to head home. I had a long, stressful day but while at work I had ordered something special for myself. I hope it was there when I got home! I was so excited, even if I was all stressed out.

And there it was! Okay, I know, not much but now I can work out at my own house. I don't have to go the gym now. Now that Ana-whatever can't bother me. Plus, I don't want to risk going back and her husband being there. Who knows what kind of person she married. I don't care if they're rich or not!

I changed into my workout clothes and started to pull myself up.

Grr...This is harder than I thought. I should have splurged on a treadmill! My poor knees and now my butt! What a good first two days! I huffed and jumped back up onto the bar, not wanting to quit. I had to get better and show everyone at work I was going to be a top-notch criminal!

Well...a couple weeks went by. Now I remembered to get up early enough to make some cold cereal for breakfast. I knew I had a stove but I was too nervous to use it. I never cooked a thing in my life. I'd probably just start a fire.

My days quickly fell into a pattern. Eat, work out before work, go to work, come home, work out more, shower, bed. More weeks fell away at this pattern. I got a promotion. I was pretty happy. I mean, I felt a little lonely, but at least I had a job, a house and bills I could afford.

Well one day I emerged from the shower, all ready to go. Today was my day off and one of my co-workers suggested I take that rock I found to the store behind my house. I might be able to sell it or at least find out what it was. So, with a day to stretch out I decided that was exactly what I was going to do!

The place was cute. Painted blue and yellow, but I still climbed the stairs carefully. I was a little wary about this place. It had a mythical energy to it. Now I know I'm an Elf and shouldn't be afraid of a little magic but...Well I took a deep breath and entered the place.

A bored and grumpy looking man stood behind the counter. His eyes were glowing red and when he yawned, I saw fangs in his mouth. Hmm...A Vampire then? I thought I heard rumors about them at the Warehouse and in fact I was sure my one co-worker, Dante, was one. Either way, I approached the Vampire.

"Um...Hi. I found this rock. I wanted to know what it was and if I can get anything for it. My one co-worker sent me here" I was trying to be nice, can't you tell? But that lamp over there looked lovely...I wondered if the Vampire would step outside so I could swipe it?

Oh no! You will behave Lefia!

"What do I look like?" The man whined. "A expert on rocks? This is an Alchemy shop. Not a rock appraiser's. Go someplace else. If you're not here to buy, leave me alone"

Well he was friendly. So I tried a different approach.

"Alchemy?" I asked. "I never heard of such a thing. What is it?"

"If you don't know what it is, how can I explain it to you?" He asked me. Oh boy. "If you're just going to annoy me, go away!"

Well then! I walked away from the counter. He wasn't very helpful at all. Maybe they should replace him with someone who actually knows their stuff!

I took a seat in the corner to think about it though. Why would my co-worker send me here if that old Vampire wasn't going to be any help. He just seemed grumpy and whinny. He didn't seem to want to work here at all. I watched him chase off another customer. It was a surprise they got any business at all!

Well, I decided I was done in here. I headed outside.

Only to be distracted by a pretty red bird! Hello birdy! Be my friend?

Oh OUCH!

Okay, maybe no birdy friend...

With a new bruise from it's beak I headed out back.

To find a bush...with jelly beans on it? Huh. I never had any jelly beans before. Without even thinking of it, I plucked one off the branches. It was bright red and seemed to be glowing. Probably meant it was the best jelly bean in the world right?

Of course! I popped it in my mouth.

Oh no! Oh no! Too hot! Too hot!

I didn't learn my lesson. I grabbed another one.

Now that was a good jelly bean!

I looked at the garden and then suddenly I heard the sound of hooves behind me. I turned to see several wild horses storm into the lot next to the shop. I ran over, intending to watch them but...Well...my worse nature took a hold of me.

And I took some street lamps! Oh darn!

I ran home before the cops could be called. I hoped no one saw that! I decided to lay low for a couple of days and besides going to work, I didn't do anything else. I didn't want to get in trouble. Not in that way at least.

After a few days of beating myself up over the incident though, I decided it couldn't hurt to go back to the Alchemy Shop. Perhaps they had someone new and more helpful working there now. Someone who would answer my questions.

To the Alchemy Shop! Away!

I arrived and looked around. Nope the old man was still there but then I caught a glimpse of purple behind me. Huh...Pointed ears? Leafy clothes? It couldn't be...

Could it?