Divider: A Fantasy-Adventure Novel

By Horia Stoian

Through the darkness of future past, the magician longs to see, one chance out between two worlds, fire walk with me!
When the two creators understood that magic cannot coexist with science and technology, they divided the world into two equal parts to protect the land that they created. One remained a realm of magic and mystery known as Lahinia, and the other one became Earth; the world of technology, science and logic. With both of them facing extinction, 23-year-old Annabelle learns that the two realms are linked to each other, and has to decide if she will sacrifice her normal life to save everyone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Horia Stoian
• Release date: Nov 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463018576

Horia Stoian

​Horia Stoian is a journalist, author and professional writer and author who successfully published two novels and several non-fiction books on weight loss, fitness and nutrition. Born and raised with a great education and great moral values, the author graduated the top culinary academy of his country becoming a certified chef and a certified technician in gastronomy after five years of intensive studies. In addition to this, Horia is a former professional athlete [First Degree, 1 DAN, Black Belt in Karate Do, Shito-Ryu Style] and a general nursing student, who specialized in weight loss and fitness after loosing 70 lbs in 60 days without following any restrictive diets or having a gym membership. ​ Besides his 10 years of experience with the food and sport industry, the author also graduated "Titu Maiorescu University", getting licensed in communication and PR and worked as a journalist for several different companies. Morever, he is a certified nurse as of 2018 and is waiting to begin his new job at a local hospital.

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DIVIDER

by Horia Stoian

Copyright 2018 Horia Stoian

Smashwords Edition

Copyright

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or places is entirely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personl enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this ebook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Through the darkness of future past, the magician longs to see, one chance out between two worlds; fire — walk with me!

- David Lynch -

Table of ontents

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter I

Wake up, my roommate Fiona shouts at me. We’ve been best friends since we were in kindergarten. It’s a miracle we’re still together after all these years. She always talked throughout her childhood of escaping Breckenridge. Sometimes I’m afraid she will leave; then I’ll truly be all alone. Unlike me, she never gave up her dreams. We went to the same college but our departments were separate. She had a thing for sculpture and I hate to admit it, but her work is much better than mine. I think that if she’d really put her mind at it she could make it as an artist.

Fifteen more minutes Fiona, I reply a little annoyed. I hate it! She always does this. Whenever I oversleep she comes barging in here, pulling on me to wake up. I guess that’s what you get when you have a roommate. Don’t get me wrong, I love her, but damn, sometimes I wish I’d never given her the key to my room.

Now darling, you’ll be late for work again, she continues to bother my sleep. It’s not like my desk will go anywhere. Darn it, I have no choice. I have to comply or I’ll never get her out of here.

Jeez, alright, alright, I’m up, I replied after she pulled the blanket off of me. I guess I should probably thank her; after all, she’s the only one who cares about me. If I think about it, I don’t know if she annoys me that much anyway. She probably is more annoyed than I am. She’s the one who has to come up here and get me moving. That doesn’t sound like a lot fun… but she does it anyway.

I’m sorry Fiona, I tell her while I get up from the bed. Hopefully she will not have to go through my late waking habits for much longer.

Sorry for what girl, what are you talking about? she asks me surprised. I guess she’s not used with hearing me apologize for something.

You know... for dragging you in here again to wake me. You don’t need to be my alarm clock every single day, I tell her while I get the blanket off the floor. She won’t admit it, but I know she intentionally throw it there just to see me irritated.

Then you chose the days, she replies laughing at me.

No— that’s not what I meant, I—

I know what you meant, honey, don’t worry, it’s alright, I like waking you up and seeing your tired face as I do so, she continues to giggle as she finishes her sentence. But I can’t be mad on her though, I never was truly upset with her and neither was she with me.

Here, let me give you a hand, she adds knowing that it will take me more than ten minutes to make my bed. For some reason, I always was a bit lazy when it came to cleaning up my room. I’m happy she’s here to make everything go faster.

You… are needed!

What?

What?

You didn’t hear that? I ask her hoping that I’m not starting to imagine things. I know that us artists can sometimes be up in the clouds, but still…

Hear what honey? she replies looking at my confused face.

I could swear I heard, ‘you are needed.’ Am I truly loosing it?

Is this how you want to get back on me for waking you up? If so, then you’re doing a lousy job.

No, I’m telling you the truth, I just heard a whisper telling me that I am needed. Wait, I better not appear completely crazy or she might freak out.

You are needed, girl; you know where? Behind your desk at the university, she mocks me like she always does. I guess I just had a rough week. No, wait, that can’t be right, it’s only Wednesday, and half of the other two days I didn’t really do anything at all. My students barely come to school these days. I sometimes wonder why they even bothered to sign up for the art course.

Come; finish up in here and let’s go, she insists that I hurry up. She’s the only one with a car and I can’t make her be late because of me… again.

I’ll try to be ready in twenty minutes alright? Darn it, we both know that’s a lie. There’s no way I can clean up all the mess from my desk, find my books, the papers—Shit! My student’s tests, I totally forgot to correct those. If I don’t give them the final grade by next Tuesday I’ll have to do overtime.

Wait me downstairs Fiona, I’ll try to hurry up in here, I feel the need to be alone today. I don’t know why. I usually like her to be around while we’re getting ready to leave… but not today. I feel strange and I can’t concentrate with her around me.

Please try to make a miracle and be ready by 8:30, another ironic answer from her. God, why am I even surprised? Alright, forget the mess, I’ll just get dressed, make my backpack and hopefully, one of these days the room will clean itself.

Hmm, decisions, decisions, what should I wear? So complicated being a girl, I swear. Blue jeans… or black jeans? You’d think it would be an easy choice when you only have two pairs of pants to wear, but no! Trust me, it’s not. The blue ones do not match with my bracelet and the black pair is a little dirty. But I don’t want to leave my bracelet at home. It’s the only piece of jewelry have… even if it’s made of plastic, it sometimes shines and you can’t really tell the difference unless you really stare at it and feel it. Well… I’m lying; actually I do have this medallion as well… I guess this one is the real piece of jewelry, but I don’t remember where I got it from. I always had it. Alright, screw fashion for one day, I’ll take the blue pair. Now, where did I put those papers? I think they were—there! I’ll just grab them and put them in my backpack. If I’ll have the chance, I’ll go over them at school. I should go down now; Fiona will be so surprised that I finished here sooner than I told her. Of course, I didn’t actually finish anything but… it’s not like she’ll check... I hope.

Ready to go already, girl? She asks me on a suspicious tone. Go figure.

Apparently so. I do have my moments of, um—speeding things up. Ok, I think I totally got her. She has to believe me right? I mean, she’s my friend, friends do believe each other don’t they? Well, sometimes they do. I hope this is one of those moments.

You’ll probably want to speed things up more frequently, honey. Let’s go, now; I’m sure everyone at work will want to know what happened today that made you come earlier.

Good, she bought into it. Hurray! So… where did I put those keys? Darn it, I left them in my room.

Just a sec Fiona, I forgot my keys upstairs. It had to be something, it just had to. I can’t remember the last time I walked out the door without coming back after one… or more things. Last time it was my protein shake, two times ago it was my phone, now this; when will it end? I need to organize my life somehow… but how?

We couldn’t have it any other way, couldn’t we? she says rolling her eyes while she reaches for her purse to get her set of keys.

I’ll be right down, I respond while I run up to my room.

Done, I’m here and ready to go! I tell her as I try to catch my breath. Damn it, I guess this marathon proved how out of shape I really am.

Please… Don’t forget to close the door as you walk out, she tells me ironically. I swear one of these days I’ll get her back. I won’t harm her though; how could I? But I would like to hear her scream a little. Maybe I’ll eat her entire jar of ice-cream—yes! That should teach her mind. I’m evil; I’m so evil.

Come, the car won’t wait for you for much longer, my so loved friend says as if she would actually leave without me. That would be a first.

I’m coming, I’m coming! Why did she have to park the car all the way there, across the street? Was it to make me run some more? Was it to make me suffer and make my legs hurt? Maybe she couldn’t find a parking spot… no, that’s too easy; I’m sure she just wanted to see me exhausted.

Mademoiselle, mademoiselle!

Ha? I wonder what this old man wants with me. He looks homeless; maybe he’s hungry.

Fiona, wait a minute! I wouldn’t have stopped if I was alone, but I know this will get on her nerves.

Jesus, what now girl, we don’t have time for this.

Success! She’s annoyed. Oh shit, she’s coming here. Not a good sign when she gets off her comfy car seat.

Annabelle—

Mademoiselle—

What? How did you get here so fast? You don’t look like you can run. Could this really be? Could an old man be in a much fitter shape than me? Probably… otherwise I can’t see how he got behind me so fast; he was on the other side of the road just seconds ago. That’s... so depressing.

What is it you want old timer? Food, shelter? God, I hope I didn’t just insult a homeless man. I think I’d burn in Hell for that. Who knows what led him to become like this.

You… are the Fire Dragon!

I’m… what?

What in the world is he talking about? Could he be delusional as well?

Alright that’s it. We’re getting the hell out of here, right now. Maybe I should listen to Fiona. She has a tendency to feel trouble when it knocks at our door.

No, don’t go, I know what troubles you.

Yeah right, if he can’t correct the tests for my students then I won’t stay here and listen to whatever he has to say.

Sorry old timer, but I don’t have time to talk old tales with you, I tell him straight away.

No mademoiselle, he shouts, while I and Fiona walk away.

You… are needed!

What did he just say?

What are you doing Annabelle? Come back, she shouted; but of course, like most of the time, I am incapable of following orders.

What do you mean I am needed? I’m not actually playing his game am I?

I know of the whispers you hear mademoiselle, I know who you are!

This is becoming way too weird, how could he possible know that? Unless… Maybe Fiona talked to this guy while I was in my room getting ready to leave, and she’s playing a hoax on me. If I find she’s involved in this I swear I’ll twist her neck... her teddy bear’s neck that is.

Did my friend put you up to this? I ask him, noticing that he doesn’t have anything in his hands. I thought maybe she gave him some food but he doesn’t have any. Perhaps he already ate it? He doesn’t look that hungry to me so he could have. Of course, get rid of the evidence, that’s a smart move. Or maybe his pockets are full of money? No! Fiona’s broke until her next paycheck at the end of the week.

No friend of yours put me up to anything, mademoiselle, at least, no friend that you know of.

Is he being all mystical on me? I can’t tell. And why does he call me, mademoiselle? He doesn’t have a French accent anyway.

Do we really need to stay here and listen to this, Annabelle? Fiona asks me on a more serious tone. I can see that she’s really getting angry. Maybe she doesn’t have anything to do with this after all, but if so, then I guess I should really be scared. Who is this guy?

I don’t know who you think I am, but I need to go. I say to him, but I have to admit—I am curious to know where he heard about the whispers. Oh damn it, come on girl get real. He probably heard you and Fiona talk in your room. Wait... that’s not good either! My room is upstairs and I do have a ladder leaning on the outside wall. Could he be a burglar? I don’t know what scares me the most. The thought of him being some sort of a stalker, a thief perhaps, climbing all the way there to spy on us… or him actually having something to do with… my confusion, I guess? I’d better leave it as it is and get going; I don’t want to do overtime and those papers aren’t gonna correct themselves.

Come back mademoiselle! You can’t go! If you do, both worlds will suffer the same faith. You… are the Fire Dragon, you… are needed!

Both worlds? I say to myself as I look in his terrified eyes. I think he’s definitely on something. He seems so scared, though. I’m afraid that if I leave, he’ll just follow me. But what can I do? I can’t just remain here listening to this. Maybe I should play his game after all; make him think that whatever he’s saying makes sense to me. That way he’ll probably leave me alone.

Alright, I’m needed. If I don’t come with you, Earth will be destroyed and apparently another one as well, right? Can we do this another time? Right now I’m needed somewhere else. Shit, I don’t think that’s good enough. Now he’ll probably just stay here until I return. Well, at least I hope I’ll get rid of him for now. I mean… I’m the Fire Dragon; he needs to listen to me. Who doesn’t listen to a Dragon?

I see you’re mocking me for no reason mademoiselle, you need to accept your faith.

He keeps insisting. What faith? Of course I’m mocking him. Wait, is that too obvious? Damn.

We must talk, but not here, somewhere more privately.

What? Yeah right. As if I’m gonna go with a random homeless man to some narrow alley with walls painted with graffiti where he could— God, no! I need to call the cop, that’s what I have to do.

Meet me tonight where stars can be closely seen. There, I will tell you what I can. There’s not a lot of time.

That’s it? He just leaves? Doesn’t matter, it’s not like I’m gonna meet this guy anyway. I don’t even know what he meant. I guess he figured out that I might call those cops and didn’t want to give me an exact location.

Can we please go, Annabelle?

Yeah, sure. Damn it, I guess it would’ve been a miracle to not be late for work again. Something just had to happen. That’s my life… When things seem to go in a straight line, a homeless guy shows up and prays damnation on the world if I don’t accept my faith as a dragon. Maybe I could use my imaginary dragon wings and fly to school, ha? That would be cool.

Please promise me you won’t see this guy tonight, alright? Fiona asks me knowing that most of the time I do get myself in trouble. But there’s no way I want to have anything to do with this.

Don’t worry, I won’t be anywhere near him. I don’t even know where he wants to meet, and I don’t want to know. I try to assure her that I’ll be good.

"Alright honey, I trust you. Now, let’s get moving. I hoped to celebrate at school you being earlier at work, but… no complementary mochaccino for you anymore. Too bad,