Chapter 71: Ten Seconds

Dune awoke to find himself tied up, sitting on the ground. The green coarse rope encircled him tightly, immobilizing his limbs. His head throbbed slightly as he tried to get his bearings.

In front of him sat Hazel, her beautiful eyes reflecting his own confusion and wariness.

"Ahh uh," he stammered, struggling to find the right words. "Damn it, I spent so much time with Nely and Mindia I forgot how to talk to normal people," he thought, inwardly cursing his social ineptitude.

Dune sighed, his stomach growling in protest. "Hey... thanks for healing me," he managed to say, his voice rough and grateful.

Hazel shook her head, her expression inscrutable. "Huh?" Dune was puzzled. "Anyways... where are we?" he asked, hoping for some clarity. Again, Hazel shook her head, indicating she didn't know either.