I Was Reincarnated To Save Their World

The carriage bumped along and as night fell again my eyelids grew heavy. I closed my eyes and let my head rest on Mother's lap.

I was in a distant place again. It smelled damp and disused. I held a cloth in my hand and when I looked around I could see outside a window the buzz of neon lights. Beyond that, a street light lit an empty walkway.

I was human again.

I knew what this memory was of already and I wanted to curse aloud.

My body moved against my will and I found myself slowly wiping down a counter and humming a familiar song. I looked up when the door jingled.

Someone pushed and stepped inside.

"We're closed for the night," I called out. My voice was different even, young and high. I wiped my hands down on my ratty apron.

"I'm not here for the beer," Came a low male voice.

I recognized it immediately and the sense of panic inside me filled me to the brim. This dream person took no notice though.

Run, I tried to tell her, get out now.

"I haven't seen you before, new in town?" He rested an arm on the table and leaned in. I smelled his perfume mixed with rain. He wore a suit, unusual attire for this bar.

"I just moved in a few weeks ago," Young Isabella replied. I could not stop her from leaning in and batting her eyelashes.

"A beauty like you and a new girl," He said chuckling, "If you need someone to show you the city here's my number."

He took out a sleek business card and placed it on the counter.

"Are you asking me out?" I could hear the excitement in her voice.

"Only if you want to," He winked.

I knew what Izzie would do now. She'd call a friend from back home and they'd scream in excitement over the first date and charming man.

The scene shifted.

The man wore another suit and carried a briefcase. When she looked down I noticed her short skirt and pink crop top. 

"What is a sweet thing like you doing working in a bar?" He asked.

"Just paying off student loans," She shrugged, "It was the only job that would take me."

They were in sight of the fountain and I felt as he spun her around. Her laughter rang out so pure and so innocent I wanted to be sick.

He's no good for you. He will hurt you. He will break your heart.

But they never say any of this on the first date. Or the second.

Now I was a bride and I hadn't even met my husband. The fear and pain caught in my throat. This world didn't have divorce, marriage rights, or even rights of any sort it seemed. No one would protect me but me. I felt the comforting weight of the dagger.

I woke up sweating.

"Are you alright," Mother dabbed at my forehead. Then she called out, "She's awake again."

I tried to sit up but Mother put out a cautioning hand, "You were screaming and shaking so hard that me and Ny-An couldn't help you."

I blinked several times and realized I was in definite pain. My wrist throbbed horribly and the more I woke up the harder it thrummed to my heartbeat.

"My wrist," I gasped.

"Where is the nearest village," Called out Mother.

"We'll be there in the morning," Replied a voice tired with age. It was the first time the carriage driver had spoken.

"She'll need a healer for her wrist," Mother barked at him.

"Healer can see her in the village," They replied, "Best you all try to sleep till then."

I tried to get comfortable without moving my wrist around whilst Ny-An snored softly.

The next time I opened my eyes sunlight streamed inside. I could hear a commotion just outside the doors. I blinked several times and went to touch my forehead.

My wrist gave a painful jolt.

That's when the door opened. I met the eyes of a young woman with my Mother. The woman gave me a gentle smile and came to kneel beside me.

"Can you tell me what happened?" She asked, her voice reminded me of morning dew and wind chimes.

"She had a fit in her sleep," Mother replied in a sharp impatient voice.

"Begging pardon my lady but I must speak to the girl," She smiled apologetically.

"It's okay Mother," I said, "Go eat something with Ny-An."

I watched Mother and Ny-An enter the crowd then I turned my attention back to the woman.

"I had a dream," I sighed.

The woman touched my forehead gently. I felt her drawing on it.

"Something is troubling you," She closed her eyes as she drew, "Something is scaring you. Something dark from the past but I don't understand it."

"It was only a dream," I repeated. 

She nodded slowly, "If you insist, but you cannot run from things forever. Especially your past."

I held out my hurt wrist. She prodded it and I grimaced. Carefully she wrapped it in cloth and formed a sling for me.

"Keep it wrapped," She said and she handed me a tiny jar, "This should help you with sleep."

"Do you have anything for pain?" I asked.

She nodded and went off to her village.

I lay back and mulled over what she'd said about my past haunting me. She was right, I knew it too. I didn't want to think about him though, I was dead to him.

Skies above, why did the dreams keep coming? I knew they were a message from the goddess but what did she want me to learn?