Chapter 5 Journey Home

Both parties look at each other, as if not sure what they were seeing. The 4 goblins just stood there at first, while Julie and Cindy both muffled their cries of panic. I jump into action right away, reflexes taking over from the many years of training. I swing the Sword in a horizontal swing at the closest goblin severing its head at the neck cleanly, following with a brutal jab of the Bowie knife into the goblin on its right throat and twist the Bowie 90 degrees. The goblin staggers back forcing the dagger back out as I kept my grip on it. Reaching for its throat it began to gurgle with a panicked look in its eyes, blood spewing out like a waterfall.

Then the remaining two goblins sprang into action, one brandishing a new sword that reflected the light like a mirror. I use my sword to block the goblins swing and just as suddenly the Goblin's new sword snaps in half. The other goblin using a dagger charges me, catching me off balance and was able to give me a slash on my right arm. Pain erupted from the wound. I tried to ignore it and plunged my sword into the first goblins chest. The Sword erupted from its back spraying blood onto the display windows behind it.

Feeling the sword was stuck, I let it go and switched to the Bowie to my right hand and faced off against the last Goblin that looked at its three comrades dead or bleeding out on the ground. Then with an excited cry it rushes me with the dagger raised over its head, I step into the rush and grab hold with my left hand, its dagger arm and plunge my Bowie into its midsection then push upward aggressively and twist the dagger 90 degrees. With a sigh the Goblin goes limp.

Level Gained!

I dismiss it immediately. I see one of the Goblins still moving, the one that had the sword stuck in him, the Goblin with the throat wound was already dead. I moved to it and quickly pin it down. Then I look at Cindy,”Quickly, come and kill it Cindy”.

I realize that if Cindy is to live in this new world, she is going to have to adapt. By doing so she will have to be initiated just like Julie and I were and gain the gamer skill.

Cindy looks on with a horrified look.

I growl ”If you want to live you have to do this Cindy!”

As if in a trance she slowly moves forward holding her dagger in front of her. As she closes in on the Goblin, she hesitates. Her lips trembling,” I...I....I can't do this Scott”

The dagger only inches from its chest where the heart should be. I look at her with understanding eyes” I know it is hard Cindy, but if you want to live there is no other choice here. By not doing this, you may as well cut your wrist now and get it over with”. Harsh, I have to be harsh here, no mercy, we have to survive

Shaking her head, she still hesitates when suddenly Julie springs into action taking both of Cindy's hands into her own with the dagger, and plunges it into the chest of the pinned goblin. Julie then backs away looking sick. Cindy shocked, gasps out loud, “ahh ahh Julie.....” then sudenly she goes quiet as if surprised. I know what is about to come and jump at her quickly and put my hand over her mouth firmly. She gives me a scared expression. “you are about to undergo a change and it will hurt like hell. This is to keep you quiet as to not bring unwanted attention to us” and with that the blue light covers her entire body and she begins to convulse and tries to scream out in pain.

I see her body changing in front of my eyes. Her breasts which were massive to begin with suddenly began to deflate. I look at her with bewilderment and she take on a more defined younger and vibrant look.

The blue light fades and she begins to breathe calmly again and I slowly remove my hand from her mouth. She stares at me with a wild look in her eyes.

Hoy boy, she is a young one I think to myself

Staring at me, with now flowing waist length dark brown hair, big brown eyes and has a childish look of about 14 or 15 years of age, and a very, very flat chest, was the new Cindy. She is absolutely gorgeous and so young and in my arms. I jump back in surprise not sure what I am thinking.

Cindy looks at me with confusion “what? What is it?” She ask slightly panicked.

"Noth.............., nothing, just young, so young....” I reply not sure what to say.

Shocked she looks at me, then looks around quickly, sees a mirror on one of the walls. Moves quickly to it.

“NO!” She shrieks, but suddenly has her mouth covered once again, but this time it is Julie covering it.

“SHHHHH!” Julie hisses.

Cindy nods, and Julie removed her hand. Cindy begins to cry a slow cry, turning into a sob.

“what? What is wrong Cindy?” Julie asks concerned.

“My....my bre..bre...., breasts are gone.....waaahhhhh!” she sobs.

That is what got her upset, her breasts are gone? The fact he looks like school kid again is not her first problem, but her breasts????? I am so confused.

“There there, they will grow back in no time sweety” Julie tries to console her giving her a hug.

“No, you do not understand, I was always flat chested. It costs me so much to get them done and now they are gone....wahhhhhhhhh!” she cries out in thick hushed sobs.

“chi, hihihhi” Julie begins to giggle not able to hold back.

Taking a step back, Cindy looks at Julie with a pained look then at Julie's breasts, “You are a mean person Julie, laughing at other misfortunes”. She says with a hurt expression and her brows furled.

“I am sorry I can not help it and needed a good laugh sweety” with that Julie hugs Cindy.

“Stop calling me sweety, my name is Cindy” Cindy says annoyed now.

“Sorry, but you just look so sweet and innocent now, so much so, I can feel a cavity forming” Julie replies with a smile.

“Ha!” Cindy laughs out at that comment

“See? Feel better now?” Julie asks with a hopeful expression.

Cindy sighs looks at Julie, then turns to look at me. I have been watching this whole time not sure what to say or do.

“So you gonna keep staring at me like I am some kind of poisonous viper?” Cindy now glares at me.

Wow talk about a mood change....I think to myself

“No, well I just......well never mind we need to get going and get the hell out of here.” I say standing up, collecting myself.

“Oh jeeze you are hurt” Julie says seeing my right arm still bleeding freely from the gash which I had forgotten about. With the realization the pain returns with a flash. Funny how that works.

Julie approaches me, then closes her eyes while touching my arm on either side of the wound. A soft green glow emits from her hands. The pain suddenly goes away and the wound begin to close at a rapid rate. After a minute passes, Julie slowly opens her eyes, with realization of what just occurred hitting her “I just just...I just knew, I do not know how else to explain it.”

I smile, not shocked anymore by anything from this point on. Goblins, Hobgoblins, Bugbears, healing potions, why not magical healing right??

“That will definitely come in handy” I say to her with a genuine smile.

“I know, right?” she replies also with a proud smile.

For some reason, I do not understand it myself, I get the urge to hug her, and grab her into my arms and give her a warm smile. Somehow with the magic healing, something in me felt relief of sorts. But at the same time I also felt a dread. If magic exists here now, what else can we expect? Sigh, well at least we discovered something that will be potentially huge and extremely useful, I will have to protect her with my life and at any cost.

“Ok you two ready to blow this joint?” I ask finally, letting go of Julie.

“By all means lets get the hell out of here already” says Cindy actually now calmer, with little excitement in her voice.

Huh?? what is with the attitude change now? Oh well, better not dwell on it now, first thing first, get home, get armed then get to safety.

I look to where the Goblins died, and see another red vial, a blue vial and several copper coins on the ground. I quickly gather them up, then hand them to Julie to put in her purse.

“Umm Scott where did the bodies go?” Julie asks me curiously.

“I do not know. They simply vanish after being killed, but leave behind items like you saw there.” I replied. Leaving it at that, we move out.

We head back to the entrance of the store, luckily our fight with the goblin patrol did not bring more unwanted visitors. Picking our way to the west exit, stepping over dead bodies strewn all over, avoiding puddles of blood was hard. The sliding doors were opening and closing as a body blocked their path from closing all the way. We quickly made our way to the exit. I glanced outside, the wall extended another 5 meters outward before opening to the parking lot. Creeping forward with the girls behind me we inched our way to the corner.

Surveying the area, I see no movement at all. I see the occasional car flying by on the main road going at high speed. I look a the girls, “Ok it seems to be clear, but to be safe stick to the wall, stay close to me and we make for my truck. When I say run you run like hell. Do not look behind you under any circumstances. Got it?”

Both nod at me with expectant eyes.

Sigh just my luck, stuck with not one but two extremely beautiful women. Tho one looks a bit young, but guess she will grow up even more beautiful than before. What the hell am I thinking, get your mind out of the gutter you fucking moron, lets get to safety first, then you can dream all you want.

We move out keeping a low posture running against the wall. I hold my sword in my right, the Bowie in my left, while Cindy has her dagger in both hands in front of her. Julie is right behind me holding onto my shirt.

We reach the end of the mall wall, opening into the North parking lot. Stopping I survey the area once again. The sun is slowly setting it is about 6 pm. Night will be very dangerous, we need to get to my house before darkness sets.

I look back at the girls “We will head for the cars then move among them to my Truck.”

Both nod again and we head out quickly. The first set of cars are not far from us and we get to them without incident. Making our way thru the cars it does not take us long to reach my Truck. Sighing relief, I unlock the Truck with my remote. The girls both jump into the passenger side, while I get into the driver side. Not waiting for them to get buckled up, I turn the ignition and hit reverse throwing the girl forward towards the dash. I then throw it into Drive making them slam back into their seats.

“Julie grab into the glove box and hand me the gun inside please” I say to her while keeping my eye on the road and look for signs of side traffic as we approach intersections. Julie opens the glove box and retrieves a black Walther PPQ 9 mm, then gingerly hands it to me only holding the handle, her finger not daring to go close to the trigger. Just like meeting an old friend I smile at feeling it in my hand, then place the gun in the side tray of my door for easy access.

The drive home was fast and furious. Not heeding any speed limits, stop signs or lights, Bringing back flash memories from the wars. Drive like hell and keep on going. The entire drive no one said a thing. Julie turned on the radio, but only emergency broadcasts were on the air, informing people to stay at home and lock their doors and windows. Nothing else was being broadcast on any other station. Just as the sun was setting we pull up to the drive way of my house. After grabbing the gun, I rush to the door of my house with the girls in tow. I quickly open the door, wait for the girls to enter then close it.

“Do not turn on any lights” I say with a low voice.

“Why are we still whispering” asks Cindy curiously.

I look at her with a confused expression, then I begin to laugh,”yes you are right” I walk over to the living room area, the girls following. I sit down in the middle of the couch. Julie immediately sits on my right, while Cindy takes my left. I look at each in turn, they lean forward and look at each other then at me and smile. Oh whatever, go with the flow, go with the flow I say to myself and put my arms around each one of them drawing them both close, lean my head back and close my eyes.