Chapter 8: The Promise

Chapter 8: Chapter 8: The Promise

Daniel leaned back in his seat, getting comfortable. The carriage swayed gently beneath him, the wheels creaking in a steady rhythm. He looked at Lyra, who was waiting with her head tilted slightly, her blind eyes hidden behind those black glasses.

"Alright," he said. "So where I come from, the world is called Earth."

Lyra’s nose wrinkled. "Earth? That’s a terrible name. Who would name their world after dirt?"

Daniel frowned. "Hey, it’s not that bad. And it’s not named after dirt. It’s just... the name."

"Fine, fine," Lyra said, waving a hand. "Continue."

"Okay, so let’s start with my favorite things about Earth. That would be the internet and a word that starts with P that I can’t mention because this is not an 18+ rated Chapter."

Lyra’s brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Daniel sighed. "Never mind. I’m fourth wall-ing. We’re going to forget about this in the next paragraph." He cleared his throat. "Okay, my favorite things. Well, I really like video games."

Lyra tilted her head. "What’s that?"

Daniel opened his mouth to explain. Then closed it. How was he supposed to explain video games to someone who had never even seen a television? Someone who lived in a world of swords and caravans and giant lizards?

He tried anyway. "It’s like... you have a screen. And on that screen, there’s a world. And you control a character in that world. You can fight monsters, complete quests, level up..."

Lyra’s expression was blank. Completely, utterly blank.

"Forget about it," Daniel said, shaking his head. "It’s hard to explain. Oh, I really like novels. Do you know what that is?"

Lyra’s face changed instantly. The blankness was replaced by something softer. Something wistful.

"Of course I do," she said quietly. "I have always wanted to read one. But..."

She didn’t finish the sentence. She didn’t need to. The cane. The glasses. The way her fingers twitched slightly in her lap, as if reaching for something that wasn’t there.

The atmosphere in the carriage shifted. The playful energy from before was gone, replaced by something heavier. Something awkward.

Daniel hated awkward.

"I don’t really like awkward situations," he said quickly. "Um, how about this? We visit a library, if that’s a thing here. You pick a novel. Well, I’ll be the one doing the picking, but you get the point. And I will read it for you. Till the end."

Lyra’s head snapped up. Her lips parted. Her cheeks flushed.

"Why?" she asked. Her voice was cautious, guarded. "What do you want in return? Because if it’s my body, I can’t agree with that."

Daniel’s eyes widened. "What? No, no, no. I would never. Actually, I would like to, but not in the way you think."

There was a pause. Then Lyra’s lips curved into a small smile.

"So you’re going to read the novel for me?" she asked. Her voice was lighter now. Excited. Almost disbelieving.

"Yeah, of course," Daniel said. "It’s a promise."

Lyra was quiet for a moment. Then she nodded, a small, happy nod, and settled back into her seat. Her fingers relaxed in her lap.

"Alright," Daniel said, clapping his hands together. "Back to the story of my world. Well, it’s hard to describe it to someone..."

"I know it’s a lie," Lyra interrupted. Her voice was soft, not accusing. "You don’t have to make things up."

Daniel frowned. "It’s not a lie."

Lyra didn’t respond. She just sat there, that small smile still on her face, clearly humoring him.

Daniel let out a breath. "Alright, fine. I will tell you about my adventures."

Lyra’s head snapped up again. "Really?"

"Yes." Daniel grinned. "Alright, I will tell you the story of how I defeated a pirate captain and his crew."