"Wakey, wakey, sleepy head," came a voice. Am I dreaming? I don’t think so. The voice sounds very familiar. I tried to open my eyes but I couldn’t.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijwGYsQUJh
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I finally opened them and the light hit directly into my eyes. I slowly sat up. My body felt heavy and it ached like hell. I felt like going back to sleep. There's someone standing near the window. It's Ariana.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmx1ColfP2
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"Can I sleep a little longer?" I asked as I yawned. Stretching my arms is hard and painful, so I didn't even try.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WVtsBSMEg
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"I know what you mean," came her voice. My eyes are still so sleepy that everything looks blurry. "But I'm afraid I’ve to get you ready for today. So, if you don’t mind..."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMJhO7bCKJ
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I muttered in frustration as I tried to move the bed covers aside. I groaned, both in pain and frustration. I hear footsteps and knew Ariana is coming to help. But somehow, I managed to get a big portion of the covers aside.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtcd4tHDO0
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"Thank goodness," said Ariana as I looked at her through tired eyes. "I thought I would've have to carry you to the bathroom outside."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg9RyU3J0J
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"I'm fine," I said.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7rBrucAw3
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuAKRJbkqi
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNpF0wXaSz
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs8EiMmCMS
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The two of us walked out of the room and just right next to my bedroom door is another. She opened it for me, and as expected, I didn't find myself in a modern day bathroom. There's a large wooden tub, that looked like a bucket in the middle of the room, big enough to fit two to three people. And it's full of hot steaming water. Am I really going to bath in that?355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgxGqa6QSr
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBl9UPz0QE
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡso6wTe8sml
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After my nice, warm, relaxing bath, I am back in my room, all dressed up in a long, black, 19th century dress, like the ones most of the females wore around here. I wish they could've given me in another colour, it did look good on me.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUvZ7687B6
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"Wow, just stunning," said Ariana as she stood behind me, holding my shoulders and looking in the mirror hung on the wall next to the wardrobe. There wasn't a full-length mirror here yesterday, so I was surprised when I came back from the bathroom that Ariana had brought one.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7taAHKofdb
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"It's really nice," I commented.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgt0VQtUQz
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bs2lyArYJ
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A knock came at the door and Ariana quickly went to open it. The young nurse from last night came in with a tray.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWySwpRjfp
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"Good morning, Ariana," she greeted as she entered the room. She turned towards me still standing in front of the mirror. "Morning. Well, you look stunning today."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDnO027cPz
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"Thank you," I said as I slowly turned around to approach the bed. The nurse already placed the tray on the table and I saw a white ceramic bowl and what looked like porridge in it.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9x1lOFVY1
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFF8gYxARO
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnLNofbU4h
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4AtsL5R3o
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"Do I have to continue drinking that medicine?" I asked as I approached the small table and looked at the small bowl filled with white porridge.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34I6jFeH4x
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWfXvodBHJ
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"I know it's good for me, but it's just so yucky!" I turned to look at her, sticking my tongue out.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVajnfDBvY
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Ariana couldn't help but laugh. "You really are something. Now eat up. The others will be here any moment now."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRYvdUiysV
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After breakfast, Ariana escorted me out of my room. When we reached the bottom of the stairs, the place felt empty like it did yesterday. Now that I think about it, I feel Ariana and the rest of the High Order are behind this. What if people who aren't authorised to be here were told this part of the castle is off limits?355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68PEJtNer6
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaILH3h2bfu
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I hadn't realised that I was looking down the long quiet passage leading to the other side of the castle. I've a feeling that there's a lot going on.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHEpfvcizG
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"Coming," I said, slowly turning around and joining Ariana who still stood at the door. She didn’t make a move as she continued to look at me.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1GnIrfnoG
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"What is it?" I asked.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2gDZPzLJe
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"Nothing, just curious about something," she said as she walked out. She obviously didn’t want me asking her questions. Can’t blame her. I do like asking a lot.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe7udwhWSY
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I slowly followed her outside and by the foot of the stairs, stood an elegant white carriage tied to two white magnificent horses. Wow! Now I know how Cinderella felt when she knew what she was riding in. I’m super excited. I felt like I had just entered a movie or something.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNYNpWapTZ
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Ariana went down the stone steps and waited in front of the carriage. She turned to look at me with a smile. Just a few seconds ago, she seemed different. Could I’ve something to do with it?355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAewobr206m
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXavDqtgasx
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Just as I am about to make my way down, the nurse who visited my room earlier came from behind in a hurry.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGlx53rqpG
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"Wait," she said, as she came to stand beside me, stopping me with a hand on my shoulder. "You forgot to take your medicine." She held up her hand and in it, is a small wooden cup filled with the black liquid.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkFO2LAiXI
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"Oh, I completely forgot," I took the cup and quickly gulped the medicine down. The inside of my mouth and stomach burned like hell. I stuck out my tongue.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25VG6wtceW
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3UlhBYWDm
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06wmNiGNyO
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoqXRkINrd
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I give the nurse back the cup, the strong bitter feeling is just unbearable. I now wish for something sweeter than the butterfly cookies Ariana brought me yesterday. I start to make my way down the stone steps as Ariana went on to open the carriage. I notice that the door handle and the steps leading inside, were covered in gold. I couldn’t help but admire how elegant it looks.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPRHq6NITy
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ2u7dibOq
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDJLfU3p79
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypjMcP2IA1
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I look around. I expected the troops that came to get me in the orchard to also be here. I turned to the stone steps and the nurse who had brought me the medicine is already gone.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmZUDic1bU
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WoZZTsC8q
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"If you say so," I said as I placed my foot on the steps leading up to the carriage. I winced in pain and held my knee.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydra5M0miK
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf39uF37NZU
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvpjv0UA40
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH0ZvV1GLs
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmny5IP2sZ
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iiy3213Cz
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPat7cNZMMi
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnsU3cBf0O
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwOyXI6bvC
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQN1iWbImYr
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She quickly drew away and I saw the look on her face change into an angry one. She quickly took my hand that was on her shoulder into a tight grip.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuEmJI2IVf
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjkeEMcQQF
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9jhZrETX4
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"Get in the carriage," Ariana continued to insist as she started to push me inside, this time with her hands behind my back. I held both ends of the open door to prevent myself from going in. My shoulders hurt for doing so.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXsamtoVNa
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"No, I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who you are!" I also insisted, trying my best to stand my ground.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB53Cqh1f8y
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElxbtdwqFk
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fpjO3AHqd
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"You leave me no choice." I felt her lift one of her hands from my back and I had a feeling she’s about to something deadly.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxHSSLrHLl
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I pushed myself backwards with all my might, using my hands for force before this imposter could do anything. And in doing so, I pushed her and myself away from the door. I even hit her in the face with the back of my head.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl60xG4C8Z
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We both fall to the ground, and I’m quick enough to turn around to look at her. I found her holding her nose and there's a trickle of blood.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYeGv0Yo91
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3IUz4lA2e
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uslyUmXNV
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxTgCuGfl9
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No way am I stopping for anyone. Who is this person disguised as Ariana? I need to get away and look for help.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiQT31gWQ5
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I ran down the stone path that I used yesterday. When I reach the crossroads, I don’t take the turn that led to the orchard. I head for the iron gates straight ahead. There are probably guards there who could help.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFBzIyp7N9
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QdynFplED
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I didn’t. And just when I’m approaching the gate, I noticed something is wrong. Before I could wrap my head around it, I felt the ground rumble below. When I looked, I found it cracking open. Before I could stop myself, I tripped over the upturned stones and went to ground.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCUidRaNCp
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"You really should listen when I tell you to stop!" the imposter called out. She’s approaching. I've to get away quickly.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmotHLO9d7
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I lifted my head and looked towards the huge iron gates. They are a lot bigger than I imagined. I finally notice what’s wrong. There are people on the ground just near the gate. The guards. There are only three bodies lying unconscious. This is bad. Could the imposter have done this?355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcObQNua4Lu
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"For a new comer, you’re pretty sharp," came the imposter behind me. She’s getting close. "You figured out that I’m not Ariana. I’m impressed."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrU9Qw6ZKE
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I tried to get up, but my body hurt and I felt a sharp pain in my knee. I must have hurt myself pretty bad. I started to crawl. In one way or another I’ll have to reach the fallen guards. They’ve got to have weapons on them or something.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaOQqmJn5j
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsVTuNQka9
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I continued to crawl when all of a sudden, I felt myself being lifted off the ground. Am I floating? I felt a certain force push me upwards that I now stood upright in the air. I felt myself turn looking in the direction of the imposter. With Ariana’s smile, I couldn’t tell if the person is smiling or just smirking.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7NYu8PRB8
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuhFCm1y7n
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EU1PBBxrx
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIl6uZtzVS
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKW1W23d13
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"Ask me something else, then."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoZ6bG8ng0
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"Who are you?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprOFX4Has6
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDeHboO3A5
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT07ZJg64gp
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NYDkjuaNw
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Ariana’s face started to change in an instant. Her blonde curly hair soon turned black and straight. The features on her face started to change, becoming more man-like with a chiselled chin and cheekbones. Her yellow robe turned to black and velvet. In front of me stood a man who looked to be in his late fifties.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbt8W8plsf
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBMM2fMdIK
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"How do you know my name?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHXvj4cRuG
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Lord Vandell approached and the smirk on his face scared me a little. He looks like he has no good intentions.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQvxiQdHtd
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCgUJghcum
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACu3V0jMRa
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDrqbRQTdU
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eFsnulLAe
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9aEOTZldg
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw10fcEugD
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq0MF5iBFU
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ528gzClmuo
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZJaQbb8u7
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I now start to wonder. Could this be why the others have been so protective over me? If it is, I totally agree with them now. This man may not look like it, but he’s a lunatic.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21EBoqL0ik
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"Aren’t the others going to be upset that you took down security and Ariana just to get to me?" I asked.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFqQClxJfQ
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"That’s why I wanted you out of here easily," he said with a smirk. "But you saw past my disguise. Not everybody does."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bU5IC4bO0
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"What are you going to do to me?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0tdRgjRtW
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGeoFCQgpk
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"Well, I don’t like your approach. You can’t just kidnap me and think you’re going to get away with it."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKD3Em1JqM
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He scoffed. "Enough talk. Let’s get out of this boring place. Something tells me, we’re going to have a lot of fun together."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts44F3xm9i
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I squirmed around to get myself out of his invisible hold, but it’s no use. I can’t go with him. Who knows what he will do to me.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAXyWxprEl
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzDTBjOEuy
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"Don’t make me laugh, Diana," he said. I slowly floated downwards that I'm now at eye level with him. "You simply can’t do anything to me. Well, not yet, at least."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FUJFKMduI
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He started to make his way towards the gate and still in his invisible grasp, I turned around in the air to follow him. I've to do something. I started to look around. There's still no one in sight. Where are Ryan and Stella when you need them? This is bad. Then I remembered something:355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjtwADTTUJ
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The birds.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWipQC66FMO
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We were approaching the gate and I looked around for any sign of them. Using the inside of my head, I called out to them. Calling out loud will be silly. Lord Vandell would seal my mouth shut if I did.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7vUdscvur
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I started to panic when the birds were still no where in sight. We're now at the gate. I started to squirm around to break free.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyMoSVIHQ7
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7KdV6zQvb
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"I beg to differ."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykzwL6m8DA
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A high-pitched, chirping came from a distance, and I can't help but let out a sigh of relief. I turn my head. I expected to see the two blue birds from yesterday, but there's a large flock of the same kind, flying towards us. For a moment, I thought a blue cloud is descending upon us. There are so many.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtihF2VdhXf
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9nTvQ6zi2
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaceizTp2l
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9AgssmzEl
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRuMC8Znih
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Before Lord Vandell could do anything, the birds came in one fell swoop, flying around us. For a minute, I can’t see what’s in front of me. The fluttering of their wings were like that of a strong wind.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAsMnDmKF3
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I soon felt the invisible hold around me loosen and I fall to the ground. I didn’t fall too hard. The birds continued to fly around, but I realised that they are more concentrated on Lord Vandell. Almost the whole flock of birds surrounded him that it looked like he's stuck in a middle of a blue tornado. I could see him with his arms all around trying to keep the birds away. I noticed a few of them pecking at him when they got the chance.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVEu4r22D5
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I stood up, grateful that the birds were of help. They could hold him at bay for a while until the others arrive.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9vwJ4Yd7z
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Two birds came to sit on my shoulders. It’s the ones from yesterday. It’s weird how I could tell them apart from all the others that were flying around. They chirped at me, sounding relieved that I managed to get in touch with them.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hdo9T5gq0
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nTmG3Qdok
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The two birds chirped on, telling me that the others will be here soon. They went on to join the other birds peaking and pulling at Lord Vandell’s robe. He’s having a hard time dealing with them.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0naTe1NG0
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"Diana!" came a voice behind me. I turned and saw Ariana with the nurse who had visited my room this morning.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRs7Dl8BfG
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV5Cg4CuQk
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"I’m good, he just knocked me out cold, that’s all," she said. Her eyes turned to the flock of birds bullying Lord Vandell. "He can stay there for a while. He can’t use his powers on them. That’s if he wants Her Highness to break him."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbFWlpiIgy
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I winced. "She can do that?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGsVJvCCqS
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffgUV2przr
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"Diana, you're hurt," said the nurse. She quickly rushed over to me and knelt at my feet, lifting my dress a little higher. I then remembered that I had fallen to the ground earlier and had a cut on the knee. A stream of blood trickled down my leg.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIllfq8ehu
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"I actually fell thanks to Lord Vandell," I said. Now that I think about it, my whole body ached like hell. I’m not completely healed and I had to do a lot of running, hence stressing all my muscles again.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYFwKNKy8h
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIL9LInFgx2
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"How did he get you?" I asked. The nurse cleaned my wound first. Apparently, she carried some ointment in the pocket of her apron in a tiny brown bottle. My wound stung when she applied it.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOEQjxgw4Q
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"After your bath when you went to your room and I remained in the bathroom," Ariana explained. "He knocked me out. I didn’t see him coming."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TwnItXNGJ
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The birds continued to attack Lord Vandell, who kept yelling at them to get away. Ariana came closer and drew out her hand. The birds in an instant left him alone and flew away. He's in such a mess. His hair is all over the place and the birds had torn through parts of his robes that he almost looked like a beggar in rags. Not forgetting that some birds had angrily pecked at his face, leaving a few cuts and bruises.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPJG5YN8J0
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2mzbejRv2
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxqgffuEWp
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Lord Vandell chuckled. He sounded like he’s about to lose it. The birds must have messed him up. I should've told them to go a little easy on him.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgGs8eVat4
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"And how sure are you that you won't call the birds to attack me again?" he asked, looking at me.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfaLOWsgmy
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Even when Ariana had her eyes on him, I could feel her stare through the corner of her eye. She must be surprised by this too. Or not.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSe7RbeJhT
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"I didn't tell the birds to attack you," I lied. "They obviously sensed that something's wrong and came to my rescue."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqtxkzEVLY
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEIQS27AmR
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XEfSHZmej
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNrTCYo4ch
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He straightened himself up and even in the state he is in, he looked like he had some ounce of dignity left. He also didn't seem bothered that he had been attacked by angry birds.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W2LJOMj8r
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"Tell me, Ariana," he said, as his dark eyes fell on her. "When were you going to tell us about this treasure you've found?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5EeZ3eokn
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His eyes were now on me. And what did he mean by "we?" Who else isn't supposed to know about my whereabouts?355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iPRxdoYtI
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH1BHKxbx8
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I turned around and the nurse who had been attending to my wound, stood upright to see Ryan and Stella come towards us. Looks like they teleported themselves here.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDYSsfh5fl
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwFbEsV7AK
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSdZb2hHvL
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRl4BO2b6a
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"You committed a terrible offense, Lord Vandell," said Ryan. "Her Highness strictly didn't want anyone on this side of the castle, and you knew that."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7HVyRUxCB
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Lord Vandell scoffed. "Her Highness and all of you in the High Order really think you can do whatever you like around here. So what’s the use of keeping her hidden? You do know, everyone's talking about her, right?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoEH4mAO5I
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I now remember what Raisa told me. I know I'm already a rumour, but he must have heard something specific from someone about me.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfevi0tW4a
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNDb3iAZFT
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoRqXFsMeT
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I felt the mood around me change. I could tell Stella, Ryan, Ariana were just as surprised as I am, but did well not to show it. He was there?355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJNAyHsN9k
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWjHIC9Ezr
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Lord Vandell scoffed. "I know the Butterfly Order rests their hope and trust in you, but why keep this girl hidden from the rest of us? Is there something about her that we don’t know about that you want to keep her all to yourself?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTYWdwNn7W
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiPb0zpzOH
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"Keep on thinking like that, and you will regret that you ever did," said Stella. I hear her walk up to me and the next thing I know, she’s grabbing my shoulder. "We need to go, Diana."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnSN0EUAkI
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"Where do you think you’re going with her?" Lord Vandell asked as soon as Stella and I turned around. "You aren’t taking her anywhere."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCL7Sm16Gi
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"She’s our responsibility, Lord Vandell," said Stella as she turned to look at him. "We know what we’re doing, and she’s not coming with you."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcfe17f3H6
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5E46FqMY5
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWEfqSrbPl
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"Watch your tongue, Ryan," said Lord Vandell, sounding serious. His voice could scare even the smallest of animals away. Even I felt terrified. "It’s not my fault that you were all careless."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvbyeLohYn
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRepeqBUkw
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBWfumZVrZ
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I felt the air grow tense that I couldn’t even move. The hairs at the back of my neck stood. Something is about to happen, but what could-?355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobjSMzLc2j
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Something suddenly ran past me, and I didn’t realise what’s going on until I saw Ryan stand behind Lord Vandell who is now on his knees. What just happened? How did Ryan get there so fast?355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3K1bFgoHM
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"I’ve had enough of you talking," Ryan said, looking down at Lord Vandell, holding him down with his hand on Lord Vandell’s shoulder.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXgR12EyiM
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9HLAwBLoP
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"Ariana, Stella, take Diana away," said Ryan as he looked at his colleagues. "I think she has seen enough for one day."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5eyFGlBbY
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28FTWvbGS7
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH0wVPbwAH
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilyipW6IRU
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I started to walk away alongside Stella, with the nurse and Ariana joining behind us. Lord Vandell continued to yell not to take me away and that he would burn this place to the ground if he had to. Could he do it?355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFAMcyWbla
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I turned to look at Stella and she looked pretty upset. Maybe it’s best I don’t say anything for the time being.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnxUpYQ67f
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzdhCzXMwN
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDODxFbL8D
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wjTAAFNlJ
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmVTqquKYc
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEyCeSC1CY
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Lord Vandell did mention something about people finding out about me. There are already people who know. But there are others, who just like Lord Vandell, know more. I wonder who they could be.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWbErvGHAs
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Lord Vandell’s yapping continued behind us, but soon enough, he became quiet. I don’t know what Ryan has done to him, but when I turned my head to look, it’s like they had vanished in thin air. I can’t help but worry about how fast Ryan is. Should I? Probably in the future.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Inx321gsf
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6sPUXUcmI
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"Definitely not," Stella agreed. "If things turn out like this, we might be forced to bring Diana out to the public."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdRfR6Q39I
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"May I ask why you’ve kept me hidden if you didn’t want this to happen?" I ended up asking.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOblhmtd4C
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Stella didn’t say anything, her eyes still not meeting mine. I could feel her body grow tense. I’m really dying to know why all this is happening. What is it about me that they don’t want me getting exposed to the public?355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2yTDOgOrm
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I turned to look at Ariana, and she had the same expression as Stella’s. For how long are they going to be quiet?355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE5Acpw0Hw
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR88mHz0jOX
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"Aren’t we all?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "I might not know much about this place, but I can tell a lot of people have special abilities like you do. How am I any special?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxiy7Olvwa
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TFzMn18K6
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I shook my head. "I still don’t understand, Stella. How can I be ‘that special?' I’m just an ordinary human being who happened to develop some mysterious abilities uncommon to our kind, like you guys."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNi2m4hAOi
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"True," she stopped walking to look at me. The rest of us did the same. "But you met Death, and that’s a whole different story."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM3UfA6Lfy
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"What does Death have to do with all of this? Big deal, I got lucky and managed to live for another day. Don’t people meet Death and some of them happen to survive by circumstance? I just happen to be one of them."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKvEnBxs9p
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"But have you ever heard of anyone meeting Death and not only do they get out of his grasp alive, but develop abilities?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWwx1Zdbs3
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8qIB3jnk6
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"You’ll only understand what she means when you start training," said Ariana. "You’re different from a lot of the recruits we’ve seen so far."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybmetteucl
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I wanted to protest some more, but it isn’t the first time I’ve heard all this. The first time Her Highness and I met, she talked about my encounter with Death. I should wait and see what they mean during training.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HDCZ7LWr8
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I looked ahead and didn’t realise we were only a few feet away from the castle with the carriage still waiting there. Looks like I'm not going to ride in it today.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAxIwjIbmb
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"Make sure Diana is attended to," Stella said to the nurse behind her. "Ariana and I have to sort something out around the castle."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ByXvZZI6E
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ4OA0OsoP
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnfGByttzw
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Ariana sounded serious. I wonder what she means by that. Will they put up more security? I glance at the gate in a distance. Lord Vandell was able to take down the guards. Maybe they have other forms of security I’m yet to know about.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfIpZDe0s6
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I make my way to the short stone steps with the nurse walking beside. As I walked up the stone steps, I felt the air change all of a sudden. The ground below rumbled a little. I looked above and it felt like the whole place has been surrounded by an invisible barrier. I quickly look behind me and find Ariana and Stella by the foot of the stairs with Ariana on one knee with both of her hands placed palm first onto the ground. I notice a line of runes appear on the ground in glowing yellow, surrounding the whole castle.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAqtn0pOsE
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"Nothing to be scared of, Diana," said Stella as Ariana stood upright, the runes on the ground soon disappeared, but the presence of the barrier remained. "This is just a protective barrier to keep you safe. We’ll come check on you once we’re finished."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3Z6BzrjqS
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2rmK7nvsM
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Ariana and Stella turned around and walked back the way they came. I watch them go before turning around to head back in the castle. Surprisingly, Bob is standing in the open doorway. How did he get here? I didn’t even feel his presence.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei0b7myR2e
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"I had a backup plan if things weren’t going to go as planned," he said. "You’ll still start your lessons today."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJOLu9n0gf
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I don’t know whether to feel excited about it or just keep it cool. Starting my training will be good for me to try and forget what happened just now.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBYRikU8nJ
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAVvs4bqNj
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByDa81DiI3
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1J1udcvsH
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sgOxA03Zt
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"Birds, what birds?" I quickly asked. I’m careful enough not to stammer. I’ve to choose my words carefully. "What about them?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUfiyYgwD9
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"Did you summon them?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUIdNdO6I8
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY7DtEoG4k
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"Don’t try to pretend with me, Diana." The corner of his mouth raised to a smile. "One of the recruits who was with you yesterday told me that you can understand the birds."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXihxEa9bq
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There is no hiding from that. I should’ve warned the recruits not to say anything. But they don’t know me and I don’t know them, so I’m not surprised that they reported this.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eu1kMWMnK
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDpjAgb0YN
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Bob continued to look at me before turning around and walking through the door. "Understanding creatures is a great ability," he said. "But people don’t develop it right there and then. They only do so after training. You, on the other hand, already have an understanding for them. That just shows you really are something."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTxsTIx63P
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I'm not ready for this speech again as I quickly said, "we’ll see about that, won’t we? I’ve been lucky and quite fortunate so far. My training will reveal if there’s anything special about me."355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsHB69Fhgl
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Bob slightly tilted his head to the side as I started to follow him inside the castle. "If it’s your destiny, Diana, you simply can’t run away from it," he said.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDn7y8gNX2
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His words got to me and I stopped in my tracks. Could he be right? I didn’t want this to begin with. I was meant to die that day, but I didn’t. I don’t know how I survived. Now all this is happening because of that encounter. Was all this meant to happen? And if that is the case, for what?355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRS50Shf49
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2xdjJOqoF
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"Of course," I said as Bob went up the flight of stairs. The nurse and I followed behind him at a slow pace.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fveyk4KcI
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It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.
Penana
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