Five years ago543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasBn35OU1o
Mpunde Girls Secondary School543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9BA1QI3s9
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhYEBzZarK
It's Saturday. Unlike other people, I now hate Saturdays. This is the one day I always got to enjoy when I was little, as it was one of the days that you don't get to go to school. You get to sleep late the night before and wake up whenever you felt like it. Now that I'm older and at a boarding school, Saturdays are almost like any other day of the week, especially when there's one thing happening that day: Inspection.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcW6fXx5Cy
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YiozgyviY
I groaned as I lazily sat up in bed. The morning bell hadn't rang yet and I noticed that almost everyone in the dorm were on their bunk beds, fast asleep. The good thing about Saturdays is that we get to wake up an hour late from the usual time. I looked out of the window across the room and saw the sun slowing rising up to the east. It's only a matter of time before one of the prefects sounds the morning bell. I better get up and head for the showers when there's still time.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xOYBFv5Jg
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTku5Ac5bDc
I got out of bed on the down bunk and stood. I looked at Christine on the top bunk, sound asleep. She has a weird way of sleeping with her arms over her head and one foot out of the covers, dangling over the edge of the bed. I always had to be careful when getting up from the down bunk because of it.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnk9KFCEoi
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl7yRl7bO0
I wore my slippers and started to make my bed. At the far end of the room, I heard the noisy creak of a bunk. Someone's up early too. I soon heard the sound of slippers and I turned to look down the aisle. It's Chileshe, our dorm prefect.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPBEliHaxN
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdLLoGLqud
She stretched out her arms as she stood next to my bed. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she looked at me.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHbRnOWdPZ
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllkWezItne
"You're up early," she said and yawned afterwards.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZj3iFXBW2
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTEznNHGfX
"Yes, I am," I said as I folded the ends of the bed cover under the mattress. "How are you this morning?"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbn5Ld5bsB
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw2ssLarht
Chileshe had her hands on her hips as she arched her back, stretching.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV0Yd5SeBj
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypCuVJmVFF
"Ah, my body is aching because of sports," she answered. "And my legs feel like l've been wearing rocks for shoes."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lBzpOPHb9
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SBvc4XYd6
"Ya, I get the feeling," I said as I smiled at her. It's funny how I didn't feel my body ache so much like it always does after sports.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1nCfKpeCB
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NfHMQufSK
Chileshe yawned again and this time she tried to cover her mouth. She continued her way down the aisle for the door.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrPn5JiX66
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkimlR2ZdXg
"I feel old already," I heard her mutter. I smiled at her as she walked away.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44hcX4gend
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1l8kPlMq0
After making the bed, I changed out of my pyjamas and took my bath towel on top of the suitcase and covered my body with it. I fetched for my toothbrush and toothpaste in the suitcase. After unscrewing the toothpaste tube, I squeezed out a bit of paste and placed it atop the bristles of my toothbrush. After putting the toothpaste away, I went to the other side of the bed where the small locker was together with my bucket and Christine's piled over the other. I took my first towel behind the locker. It had tiny rails on three sides, making it easier for us to hang our things there. I placed the towel in the bucket and took my soap case in the locker, placing it in the bucket as well.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtm2ZWt3sX
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAYIrSpUkE
I straigthened up and noticed Christine move. I thought she was going to wake up, but she didn't. It's best not to disturb her. She didn't like to be disturbed on a weekend when she at least had an extra hour of sleep.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYDGwp0Y8K
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCKCqb8bjd
With the toothbrush in my hand and the handle of my bucket in the other, I was ready to go for a bath. Just as I took a step into the aisle, I felt a weird sensation run through my neck. I froze for a minute, then turned around. I looked around the little space in between the bunk beds. I didn't seem to see anything unusual. My dorm mates on the next bunk were also fast asleep. What was that just now?543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0Yuurd8hk
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGC8gqamD9
I ignored it and walked down the aisle, heading out of the dorm.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoMszdvKyz
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC3bi9IUdh
When I stepped out, the first thing that caught my attention was the sunlight hitting the green leaves of the two trees on the lawns. A slight breeze blew past and the leaves swayed as though dancing to the soft tune of the wind. The whole dorm area is quiet. It felt exotic just to experience this moment of peace.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHatLCA8oK8
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip1lpHeEDM
I took in the lovely fresh air and smiled to myself as I headed for the ablution behind the dorms. So far, I hadn't met anyone on the way. The whole school must be asleep with probably a few of us awake at this time.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmU53ljIjkg
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEAe78TkQQ
I found myself outside the ablution. I had to fetch water first in the bucket outside the ablution building.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeDU3iYgnn
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9cb9kemlr
The tap area was empty. I placed my bucket under one of the taps to draw water, then went inside the ablution. The place was cold and silent. It won't be long until the aisle gets flooded. I tried not to think about it as I went over to the sinks to brush my teeth.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2ONskng6i
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRRspNyvd0
I ran my toothbrush a little under the open tap and placed it in my mouth. As I brushed, I heard one of the doors from either one of the shower cubicles or toilets draw open. I figured it must be Chileshe or somebody else. I spat out the toothpaste and rinsed with water. After spitting it out, I turned my head a little to see who is heading out of the ablution. But then, something struck my mind.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpiZULJGDM
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmso9eBP12W
I hadn't heard any footsteps.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVJjDSXcuA
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxInwAhveu
I fully turned around to look behind me and I saw no one standing in the aisle. This is creepy. I couldn't even tell which door opened because most of the doors to the shower and toilet cubicles were either closed or opened. Some of them stood slightly ajar. I'm freaking out for no reason. Maybe one of the doors flew open due to the wind. The funny thing is, I never felt any breeze pass through the door the whole time I was in here.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P8g8pYbQX
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLbspUKxDZ
I walked out of the ablution not thinking too much about it. These things happen. The last thing I want is to think about ghosts and what not.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWVLDp1dFC
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwuzpgYTOg
Outside the tap area, I found my bucket overflowing with water and I quickly closed the tap. Soon enough, Chileshe walked out of the ablution.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMikpbrLby5
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk33eIPklwi
I didn't say anything as she headed for the dorm area. Maybe it was her whom I had heard. I almost blew out a sigh of relief, but I soon realised that I had my toothbrush in between my teeth. The last thing I want is for it to drop to the ground. The tuck shop where we buy most of our necessities from rarely opens on the weekends.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsYDuaqANn
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAs07ywrW1
I went inside the ablution and got to the first shower cubicle. I swung the little wooden door open with my foot and stepped inside with the bucket and the soap case. Once I closed the door, I started to bath.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEDYVv1a6w
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ469ZTSTmeu
I hummed to myself a familiar song. It's nice to have the entire ablution to yourself sometimes. You get to make as much noise as you want. It sometimes reminds me of how much noise I would make back home in the bathroom.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3xaVmbQ7I
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6Fcquad9A
As I poured water all over my body, I thought I heard a noise outside the shower cubicle.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCWhg50Rcf
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4YNKiC5Uh
I stopped what I was doing to hear, but after a long quiet pause, I continued to bathe.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxiEaGi8jz
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagZilrJvbU
Within a few minutes, I heard the faint sound of the metal bell being hit. It's time for the whole school to wake up. I'm already done with my bath. I wrapped and tied the bath towel around my body, poured away the remaining water in the bucket and stepped out of the cubicle. I heard the faint sound of footsteps outside, and I knew some girls were making their way to the ablution.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtoLVTYIJ4
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFVkOjXa4Z
I'm about to head out, when I hear something fall to the floor with a loud thud. I looked down the aisle. It felt like the noise came from the far end of the ablution.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAwAQ83SwM
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugRiOwoa20
Should I go and check it out, I ask myself. I don't think it's anything to worry about. I decide to go out when the door to the ablution soon shut itself in front of me. I stare at it, startled. Did it just close in on itself? There was no one standing outside to have done so.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxssAcdQT0D
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t78ThAs6g
I turned back to look at the far end of the ablution and soon, the whole place grew colder than usual. The hair at the back of my neck stood up. I felt a sudden presence hiding behind the corner of the last shower cubicle, their breathing echoing around the ablution. Or was it just me?543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkLsuej56L
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ojv58GMVa
I started to rub my arms with my hands. The place felt like a freezer now. I breathed out through my mouth and saw cold mist lingering in the air before disappearing. What's going on here?
The deep breathing at the corner became much deeper this time. I wonder who could be behind there. Should I go and see who it is? The thought of doing so, made me freak out a little as I felt my heart start to beat faster. All this made me remember something that I wish I could forget.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDDBgi08fI
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaUlxDQ1RD
The day I met Death.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpIHzTGlIG
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutr4qbYbC2
I took a step back and found myself hitting my back onto the sink that was now icy cold. I looked around and noticed the place slowly getting covered in ice. I started to shiver like crazy now. Did Death finally catch up to me like he said he would? Was this really the end for me?543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3by69gvvW5
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAamZhTZN6
The floor beneath was covered with ice and I shivered like hell. If Death really is here, he would have faced me like he did before. Why isn't he doing so now?543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKw0CXVWV6
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBSuPq6SxG
The breathing continued at the far end and I thought, if he isn't going to face me, I better go to him, ending this once and for all.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdA9wu9yiw
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDxmmzknv7
I dropped my almost frozen bucket onto the icy floor and slowly walked down the aisle, shivering. As I walked, snow started to fall from the ceiling. I looked up and didn't see the tinned roof, but white clouds. I looked back down and it was then that I realised that I wasn't in the ablution. Where there was supposed to be a line of shower and toilet cubicles, stood a line of tall pine trees covered in snow.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPTH4lOPAv
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5Y8hCIP4O
Where am I? Snow and pine trees? What is this place? How did I get here?543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIfKk3UU6I
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjbaGm6LNn
I stopped on my tracks and for a second, I forgot how cold I felt. I had never experienced snow before. I couldn't believe it. It never snows in Zambia. It never has. We do experience very cold winters in June and July, and sometimes during the rainy seasons. But it has never snowed before. I am definitely somewhere else.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2btjKYo2ct
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSS5nWo43q
I held out my hand and a few snowflakes fell onto my open palm. It was then that I noticed my hands were very pale. I remembered the day I met Death. I was just as cold as this, but there wasn't any snow or trees around.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZx1CIgggFz
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpUNgfU2VH
The deep breathing I heard earlier caught my attention again, and I followed the noise. Maybe if I found whoever is there, they might help me out. If I stayed out here like this in only a towel and slippers, I'll freeze to death. Now that surely would be the end of me.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdIzZOJExk
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKHGfgrwJJ
The pine trees were neatly lined up on either side, and I continued to walk down the aisle to whoever was straight ahead. It's a pity I couldn't move fast enough with all the thick snow at my feet, slowing me down. Not to mention my legs were growing numb due to the cold that moving them felt like I had stones tied around my feet.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRYBDZT8Zj
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAGpTNzdf6
The person's breathing grew louder and within minutes, I found myself at the end of the aisle where the line of trees ended. And in front of me stood a vast land of snow, covering the ground for hundreds of miles.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibLRzmtQWd
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iqw9JTW1s
I continued to look onwards hoping to see if there were any buildings nearby or a few trees like the ones behind me, but no luck.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLAyr3I4F9
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCHUlNdjTB
I shivered and I continued to breath heavily. My lungs were getting affected by the cold. Now I see why people in the Northern Hemisphere who experience snow get to wear a lot of warm clothes. I am in dire need of them right now.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno6f4Xjugi
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYUS6d1lLA
I heard deep breathing again and I quickly looked to my left towards the last tree on the aisle. I saw a black cloth on the snow behind the tree. There was someone seated there on the snow with their back against the tree wrapped in a black cotton blanket or something. The head was tilted to the side that I couldn't see the person's face.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukfmoj415T
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflh6eHGiXI
"Hello?" I called out as I slowly approached.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BCsb5d1ei
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv6E4g9n8E
The person didn't respond and I noticed that the person wore a black hood over their head. I stopped for moment, thinking that I've stumbled upon Death while he's asleep. But then, I realised that the person under the hood is human. Death wouldn't be leaning against a tree in the middle of nowhere taking a nap, would he?543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht3CkIy9zu
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWnRv4qWPr
I slowly continued my approach and was within arms length. I stretched out my cold, shivering hand to hold the person's shoulder and try to wake them up.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB6JPoiRT2
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqyqSi9bSH
Just when my fingers were inches away, the person's left hand wrapped in a black glove, abruptly held my hand by the wrist. I gasped in fright and my heart beat quickened. I tried to back away, but the grip on my wrist tightened all the more that I felt my bone would snap.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5RrsSoouj
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYZog1bjhm
"Aargh!" I yelled, trying to pull away, but to no avail.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53NoCb9K6c
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡew8UvPEDvo
The person hadn't even flinched and I wondered what could be running through his or her mind right now. By the grip around my wrist, I could tell this person is strong, and very dangerous.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAkUK35c3b
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW0GX6NFZr
"Let me go, you're hurting me!" I yelled.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggGKEowsbh
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5mQhWw6fu
The hand tightened again and this time, the pain was excruciating that I fell to my knees in the snow, yelling in pain. My bone is on the verge of snapping for sure.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTp0YgfI0A
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfjcXasjXj
"What are you doing? Let me go!"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADlZWR9GaV
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGG1FeZguS
The person finally moved, turning their head slightly just to look at me. I still couldn't make out a face because the person had a black mask covering the lower half of their face, and I couldn't make out the eyes.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf6w14o7dj
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GHAvQSgjA
My other hand held on to the top of my towel, stopping it from falling. It would be embarrassing if it did and the person in front of me turns out to be a man. But that meant I couldn't even try to defend myself with my other hand held in a tight grip.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dUzZpTLJz
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZmUZiiF6u
"Please, let me go," I pleaded. My knees were buried deep into the snow and that made me freeze all the more.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4G23da5rl
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPlO48tVcC
"What are you doing here?" the person asked in a female voice.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqOHeh3zZV
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfSG4s69Ns
I paused. The person is a she. I tried to say something but my mouth couldn't produce any words. There was something about her that made me shake even more.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ1yqN5jF2
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89KHXDFpkk
"I asked what you're doing here? You're not supposed to be here."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg81Y1C6OBk
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtRofqEubJ
"I-I," I stuttered. "I just found myself here. I..., I don't know how I got here."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5CdMp3psL
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04pho4uia5
"Leave," she said as she pushed my hand away with so much force that I nearly fell in the snow on my side. I quickly held my aching wrist.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW3D2QqRla
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX0VZcwlG4
"But I don't know how to get back," I said. I looked at my wrist. Where she had held me still ached. It also felt hot that I could see my skin redden despite how cold my body felt.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0PWx1onH2
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63PkgVYL4R
The person moved her head again like she was staring at the clouds up above. "This place isn't meant for you."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmCCbi2EgO
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o2xP6SOFt
"Yes, I can see that," I nervously chuckled. I stopped when she didn't say anything.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuPcmTtuib
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW3Zu5ZsYU
"Tell me how to get back," I said. "I can't stay here much longer."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0NOI0q7pc
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ6s0AFtLa
"I can't help you," the woman replied, still looking upwards. "You'll have to figure it out on your own."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPer93mMdLW
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93XDkzMMzF
She slowly stood up from where she sat and I realised that she had been sitting on a wooden plank. It was barely visible with all the snow around, slightly buried in it. Her black cloak almost reached her feet. I still couldn't see her face as she looked the other way.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U9vnZ4qD5
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pSUqAWJhc
"How am I supposed to get back when I don't even know how I got here?" I asked.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnffuLRBXeh
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65iJqnb77q
"Like I said, you'll figure it out on your own," the woman said as she slowly started to walk away.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbxaewouU8
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWHUgWXdZF
"Wait, don't go," I called out to her as I stood up from the snow. I could feel my body freeze all over and I stared at my fingers. The cold was getting to me for sure. My fingers were numb and slowly starting to swell. The thought of them turning black due to frost bite terrified me.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhgDzlPn4M
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPlatlREeu
Soon, my body gave in and I found myself falling back onto the snow on my knees. What's happening to me?543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R1kaguyJ8
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bXX0IYs4o
I looked up at the woman slowly walking away into a vast emptiness ahead. There was a cold breeze and I knew I wasn't going to last much longer.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfAJW7bZbS
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRlxDJT11z
"Please...," I said, my teeth starting to clatter against each other. "Help..., me."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BrmlnILiw
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBe2bGfYlf
The woman stopped walking and she slowly turned around to face me. What is she going to do? I couldn't read her intentions, not when I can't see her eyes under the hood.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9BHRn436O
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGummb7tHJ1
All of a sudden, she came at me, fast. I didn't have time to react as I felt her hand around my neck.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuKiWOl0s8
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6zXo3gvez
This time, she was close enough that I saw her eyes. They glowed a bright terrifying red, like that of a monster. I held her hand around my neck trying to push it away. She held me tight just like she did before, and she slowly brought me closer to her face. I could feel something strange from her, cold and dangerous that it would scare anyone away. I wonder why I didn't feel it earlier. It felt oddly familiar.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMoroAh7DW
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1946CYhgfQ
"Whatever you do, don't you ever, ever come back here!" she yelled at me. "At least try not to."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bng8l8T4a
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr7tizjO03
She sounded calm and sincere on that last statement. I wonder why. Why is she so nice to me all of a sudden? She seemed like one who wandered off alone and didn't like to be around people, so I practically messed up her day by showing up here. I wish she couldn't hold my neck so tight if she really did care. But I couldn't speak with her hand squeezing my windpipe, and I simply didn't have the time to.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bUI7pHWI3
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW6FOvQrpN
Her red glowing eyes shined even brighter that I felt my eyes burn and start to water. Soon, I felt my whole face start to burn up too.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dNtysLujM
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzKXw24wsE
I tried letting out a scream, but I couldn't hear myself doing so. Everything around me started to disappear and all I could see was red. My whole body was burning up like I had been poured acid, melting away my skin. This time, I screamed for sure.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJDR92PMFC
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfK9GayYDX
I open my eyes, finding myself back in the ablution near the sinks close to the now open door.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTstvNBNTx
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXngf4Bu1A
I start to look around. Where is all the snow and the trees? The woman? Am I really back? But how?543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8SfBbkuZu
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQdNik6qum
The ablution still remained empty with only me inside. Hadn't the morning bell rang? Where is everyone?543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72HAP5D4wB
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaXzCWd6DQ
I didn't need to panick as I heard the buckets by the tap area draw water and a few girls talking. I placed my hand onto my chest and drew out a breath. I'm really back. But then, I started to panic again. I quickly held my face and looked at the rest of my body. I thought my skin had been burnt beyond recognition. That would've been horrible. What if the other girls saw me in such a state? They would scream that's for sure.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUZvxEsz7f
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp32KEaOY6
I turned around to look into the mirror above the sink. I'm okay, I told myself. Thank goodness. I went on ahead to run a hand around my neck where the woman had held me. There weren't any marks. I looked down at my left wrist. No marks there either. This is strange. What I had experienced felt real, almost like my encounter with Death. I never came out without a wound or a scratch, but I really did die that day. How come the encounter with the woman felt different yet oddly familiar at the same time?543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQGWmuL1r9
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgVigDHpEC
I couldn't dwell on that for now, as a girl came into the ablution in her pyjamas, carrying a bucket. I had to go and get dressed. Standing here made me feel like the whole place would get cold again.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZUP77B6k2
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rGQiHyKS6
I walked out of the ablution with my bucket in hand and headed for the dorm. When I got there, almost everyone was out of bed. A few were still asleep. Christine was one of them.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGOb8HP1Uc
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvtYBMgKkz
"Wake up, you," I said as I came to our bunk and gently slapped her on the cheek.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4X8BkDsavo
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeyzlwn5Kn
"Awwh, Diana!" she protested as she turned around to face the other side.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMnEsQdiFM
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU5CK0f9k3
"You're forgetting that today is Saturday," I said as I went to the other side of the bunk to get dressed.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNLsncCHhJ
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiyirCYwVY
"You said it yourself. It's Saturday."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04a9LbjowH
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR8OvvxXTX
"It's inspection day."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0yC2iXiWd
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRxBAG9FHP
She quickly sat up on her elbow to look at me. "I thought inspection is tomorrow."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOAslQtzMS
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfeSHFNyuP
"Inspection day last week was on a Sunday."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiOYYGBEid
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIDULyCX0K
"Ahhh!" she muttered as she fell back in the covers. "Now I really need to get up."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSyiTeHu6D
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp8Cd2W7Zd
"You surely do."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUt9JzKgB3
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjLP6oe0SB
Christine soon sat up and jumped down from the top bunk, landing with a loud thud. I've always told her not to do that. There are ladders on the bunk beds for us to get down safely. I certainly didn't feel like reminding her today. My words always fell on deaf ears.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNWs57I36e
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWFmz9ptLO
"How come you managed to bath so early?" she asked.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfRo6vSQoJ
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGB2Q7ljln
"I woke up early," I answered as I opened my suitcase to get my lotion.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo220KxHCUH
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYr4N6mdf2
"I better go," she said as she got her slippers from under the bunk. She took her bucket and towel, before making her way to the door.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqdmviN6M7
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjQMoL6Jxc
As I dressed up, putting on my white shirt and plain black skirt, I remembered how cold I felt in that place full of snow. For once, I felt grateful that I'm back. I really thought I was going to die there.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVvGeqMYS9
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe1jt1nCOZ
I soon sat on my bed and looked around the dorm. Almost all the bunk beds were empty. Pretty much everybody is in the ablution right now. I had plenty of time to myself, so I might just head out to do my morning chores. It might be the weekend, but we still have duties to attend to.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhHNpvMxsL
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWYE0nWjn1
Then it happened again. A weird chill down my spine. I held the back of my neck and shuddered. What is this feeling? And why do I feel I've to go outside?543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1017tpo2G
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSqhCm3pmO
I got up from the bunk, making my way out of the dorm. In doing so, I looked over at Amanda's bunk. It was empty, her bed properly made. I tried not to look at the bunk bed next to hers; Chisha's. I try to ignore this feeling I've about her after that dream I had, but I realise that it's hard to do so. With everything I've gone through lately, I feel there's a lot I don't know about.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabW6R2vNmY
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDoyfDRdU4
I soon found myself by the door and just as I walked out of the room, I almost ran into Chisha. Well..., my morning couldn't get any weirder.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexqcTDsoLO
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWneMegCx3a
"Morning, Diana," said Chisha.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPjWA8rXQx
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCLe99dv97
"Morning," I said.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59WFGiQG8j
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVhFx5fZPH
We didn't speak any further as she entered the dorm and I walked down the corridor, heading out of the dorm area. I still had this weird feeling about her. I wish I knew why. If I do find out what it is, something tells me it won't be pretty.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMegEY679j
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx2Vc1M0Oa
I went through the gate that lead the way out, and as soon as I was on the other side, I noticed that the environment around me felt so peaceful. There was no one around. Far ahead was the garden, and next to it the poultry. I remembered what happened there yesterday.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX5i73ZZO6
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDhNTsI9lk
A thought struck me. I'm supposed to meet Stella and the others today. But I shouldn't worry since one of them would come and get me.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7c8LNVuvk
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZqQ0k0erW
I started to make my way to the dining area. My dorm mates and I had switched from working at the orchard to the dining. There's always a switch in duties among dormitories.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCU3NsNAIR
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4eBZTQHF5
On my way, I passed the library, and ahead was the garage where the school packed it's truck and also where they kept other equipment like the brooms used for sweeping the outside area. I hoped that the garage was open, but it was locked. Lucky enough, someone was kind enough to leave the brooms outside.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfdN5QQ8bq
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SwlH6CLiH
As soon as I reached the garage door, I took one of the brooms. I was about to head for the dining hall right in front of me when the wind blew and I felt a weird chill down my spine, stronger this time. It's as if there's someone behind me.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwqs8eZ7oe
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUylB1DUnAq
I turned around. There's nobody there. Strange.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6fo3GQk8j
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk0Fvv1zxT
I turned back around, and immediately I did, I found myself bumping into something that clearly wasn't there before. I hit my forehead and nose in the process.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8W3eEfDbU
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vZv4My9ZP
"Ouch," I muttered, holding my nose. My eyes started to water because of the pain.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eGsPc4gLG
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt085xsOfVp
"You really should be looking where you're going," came a male voice in front of me.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpAL9D3tNu
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4F8W6DxoY
I opened my watery eyes and the first thing that caught my eye was a purple cloak.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLY22QMOhq
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5Pkm7zSh5
I quickly took a step back and beneath the hood was the man from yesterday. I didn't get to see his face then, but this time, I did.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALqjHViRXo
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnaP7jychi
His mouth raised up into a smile. A corky one for that matter.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg45mos9By1
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNlb0s6D6t
"You're the man from yesterday," I said, still holding my nose.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6R5f4IydU
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6GBtYWxyv
"Yes, I am," he said. "You probably don't know my name. I'm Ryan. I see you got my signal."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8zlszRmfZ
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdTU0bzDWO
I didn't say anything as I continued to look at him. I soon dropped my hand. I noticed that his eyes were blue like the sky above me. They reminded me of my grandmother- my mother's mum- who also started to develop blue eyes due to her old age. But his were a much deeper blue than hers.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPlh5omOE0
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXio5SDGu2
"Wait..., what signal?" I asked.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67ytjOaF4v
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cI5XXta24
"You didn't feel anything strange back in your room?" he asked with a worrying look on his face.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJD9bWK8is
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAqcmQE7fD
I soon remembered the weird chill I felt back in the dorm as I held the back of my neck. He should have signaled me at a better time than that.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn2jdobX5i
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXHIw3VHlI
"If we're done with introductions," he said, "let's get going."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XML4jyEqt
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84dNqmcz7J
"Wait, you're taking me with you right now?" I asked just when he was about to turn around and lead the way.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGu8z3Kh0K
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7PoJ3COAH
"That was the agreement, wasn't it?" he asked with his eyebrow raised.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM0SoF7ypJ
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWKbzdM9Iw
"Ummm...," I turned to look behind me to see if anyone had shown up. Hard luck. I turned back to him. "Do you think it's okay if I don't go right now?"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwE1WZeVCH3
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGloB3AjPn
He gave me a serious look and I regretted saying that. He had his hands cupped before him, obviously contemplating about who knows what.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUlujxwMgy
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDZVAvGLtY
"Didn't we agree that your training starts today?" he asked.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzKpBkcZ86
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUCssdMA7x
"If you think about it, you ordered that training starts today. I practically didn't agree on anything."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm25m2fWmy
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE77HNA97G5
"Don't try to wiggle your way out of this, Diana." He leaned closer. "Your training is of utmost importance."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiMyqUmXBo
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGk3HmwYvt
"But how important is it? So much is happening right now that no one's telling me. Your people seem to know, but I've to go through training before I get a reasonable explanation."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM7tLuz936
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdQybAW9v2
"We know you don't understand what's going on and that's why we want to help you."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKb4EvMbls
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtLzygypI2
"Oh, really? And how is this 'training' going to help me?" This time I raised my eyebrow at him.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTP7qZkMKM
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AAWTwQCro
"It's going to give you the answers you're looking for and to get you prepared." The corner of Ryan's lips raised up into a smile.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Wq2sadoE3
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfrBpbpt61
"Is it physical? Am I going to learn some kind of skill?"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs0qD9I4KD
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eCVvPuhzC
"All these questions are going to make my head ache." He straightened himself. "Come on, we better hurry."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiK8jUrn8T
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyxxxpFWUe
"Wait a minute," I said, stopping him from turning around again.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQhDMLjVxE
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquNXlmUJZv
"What now?" I could tell in his voice that he's irritated. I probably looked like an annoying child that wouldn't stop bothering him.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6AnfbvO2o
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyrvYMnTfj
"I've my duties to do first and there's breakfast that I can't miss. Also-"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPor6ACUxkD
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP56tnQqhV9
"Hold on a minute, young lady," Ryan held up his hand to stop me from talking, "all that doesn't matter. No one is going to notice that you're gone."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VY58Aj8IW
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2VWgYKE7O
"Are you sure? I may not be the most popular girl around, but I've friends that will notice that I'm not here."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h6uvGJc4d
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqf1izD9y8
"That's why I'm telling you, no one will notice. Not even them. And if you're worried about breakfast, you'll have something at the island. We don't want you training on an empty stomach."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ6dPRlL3n
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TAXkhNEsc
"Oh..., this training is physical, then?"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKUelpQJDz
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBTAJ6rUvi
"You'll see when we get there. Can we please go now?"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIBvRJcw5o
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AGwEXwy1P
"Well..., alright." I dropped the broom onto the ground.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qaXLXpOyG
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXFTroGJf5
"Good," said Ryan as he finally turned around. "You ask too many questions for your own good. You can't have an answer to everything."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEC8LhSuhe
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx002LoClu
"I hope it won't come to that," I answered as he lead the way behind the garage.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnBOwU1oGH
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uwFoEBKJ8
I heard him scoff. "Some day you'll."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjzvr0XRY3
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvo4paxKUp
We stopped behind the garage and beyond it were houses. The teacher's compound. No one was allowed there except the prefects in case any emergency occurred in school that required any of the teachers' attention.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzDXGt2a7O
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCRcOxpJBp
I turned to look at Ryan who now faced the wall of the garage. With his right hand he reached for something inside his right sleeve. He pulled out what looked like a long straight stick, purple in colour. It was then that I realized that it wasn't a stick, but a pencil. I wondered what he was going to do with it as he approached the wall. He looked at the wall as though contemplating on something. Then with the pencil, he begun to draw.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFaKQ1Bkin
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqtiT1zYwe
"What are you doing?" I asked, surprised that someone like him would graffiti the wall. "That's not allowed."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpV0aiJmqp
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKpnOeuqNA
"I'm drawing us a way out of here," he replied. I noticed that the purple pencil had a purple lead instead of black, leaving a trail like a thick crayon.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRva6jc4r7
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsZdHOdrHF
"How is drawing going to take us where we need to go?"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeykjFPzCbs
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9saN7VH8W
"Already full of questions, huh?" Ryan asked as he finished drawing a full round circle, almost his height. "Don't you watch fantasy movies?"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv97YSfBOKA
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoIdD8wGSP
"Of course I watch fantasy movies," I said, upset with him questioning me about such. If anything, I am a big fan of fantasy.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsDpxYtoV8
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tXfL3BCIZ
"Good, then you should know that everything isn't always as it seems." He started to draw something inside the circle. "You've heard of teleporting from one place to another, right?"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuCqX4G2Rf
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0OjoCf2sq
"I have. For you to do so, two places are supposed to be linked together, hence taking you through in what seems like an invisible doorway to the other side. There are other cases that don't apply to such where you can teleport however you want."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQlwk3Fkyy
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ml18ZPz20
"Good, you're sharp, I can give you that," he said as he continued to draw. The drawing started to take shape of a butterfly.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURDDJlUsiV
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHtkjoFKnC
"So this drawing will lead us to the island?"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47X431zJox
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡithGahQ5EY
"Yes. There's a matching butterfly symbol on the island; many of them actually, but one of them acts like a doorway. You can easily come and go to the island, but you need to learn something important first." He finished the drawing of the butterfly dissected into four parts.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9msIFDy89
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXJKpSc2Cd
"What is it?"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9xe81Ezs2
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8cJ7mOyLl
"How to use it. It's not some ordinary drawing. You need to activate it for it to act as a doorway."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXNKQhL9un
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsqIO7cePa
"How do you activate it?"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LdIVCzkTd
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42UUqarlhE
"By a chant." He turned to look at me.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFLh0On7yT
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCL3Hbe2gT9
"A chant? Meaning I've to say something?"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5mnrmP0bD
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8GcE09Tl8
"Yes. The bad part is, you don't know the language yet."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC1IWwjegp
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtiNw8AYrZ
"Oh..., that language," I muttered as I remembered the writings I saw on the doorway of the Butterfly Temple.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDOJMINHSy
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBAW5GznOa
"Don't worry, it isn't as hard as you think." Ryan beamed at me.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uBFQtCVY1
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzyus4X6yj
"Easy for you to say. I've the man in green teaching it to me."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBJtrY7Apw
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFz9heb2Rf
"He's a handful, but Bob isn't that bad when you get to know him."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yns2NN9iy
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT2qeSMuj7
"I beg to differ," I quietly muttered to myself as Ryan turned to look back at the drawing.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxfWEEZ8Rv
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPYmPQhBki
"Okay, we better get going."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL5WowzCRK
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrJNzuFWhV
Ryan stretched out his hand and laid it on the drawing. He soon started to chant in a strange language I had never heard before. The air around started to change. It was getting warmer and I noticed the drawing on the wall start to glow.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAFIBZkD4z
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNUCEJwAtD
Ryan stopped chanting and dropped his hand. Soon enough, the glow from the drawing had also died down. For a moment, I thought the wall would part in half revealing the other side, but so far, there was no change.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBVF9UfMmX
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDf0YS39q8
"Is that it?" I asked Ryan.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupS5ngXqcy
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQkuV6WBbW
"That is it," he said as he turned his head to look at me. "All we've to do is walk through." He pressed his hand onto the wall where the drawing was and it went right through.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlutdAKY96t
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2jHWZ80hc
"Wow. But wait..., won't someone find the drawing and get dragged in by accident?"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv9eZAJegW
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxyPPSvouy
"That's a good question. No, they won't be able to see the drawing because I've concealed it from human eyes and from supernatural creatures, except you, of course. And don't worry, if anyone were to find themselves leaning on this part of the wall, they won't get dragged in."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ279o5WoYcq
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVbhVRQetk
"So, I can use this doorway from now on to get to the island, right? Does that mean I can come visit whenever I want?"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1fCe9hPBW
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd2eJCtGr7
Ryan smacked his lips, and I realized that I wasn't going to like his answer.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdHH4j9BA7
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZn5HEG7sn
"For now, the doorway will open only when you're summoned for training. Until you learn the language, I'm afraid you can't come and go as you please."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05e7tBBMdH
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXv8le14mTV
"But what if there's an emergency here and I need your help?"543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtuvanQdUS
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOac8NjZgB
"Don't worry, there's something for that too. I'll tell you about it later. Right now, we've to get moving."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauIXXBuN1Z
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpIR264EE7
"Okay." I slumped my shoulders. Learning can sometimes be a pain, but something told me I might like what I'll learn at the island, even though it might take a toll on me.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtazfCTMCkN
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFj4W4XrSS
Ryan lead the way by walking towards the drawing and went through the wall, disappearing out of sight. I swallowed as I also took a step forward. When I approached, I closed my eyes just in case I find myself hitting the solid wall instead. I took another step and I felt myself stepping into a whole different world. There was a warm feeling around me, like I've been wrapped in a warm blanket. When I continued going forward, the effect soon subsided and I knew I was in a whole different environment.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TAU0ISJj4
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffgvIYlp4N
"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Ryan asked.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVuca02AaT
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXSeKEAFUy
I opened my eyes and I found myself in what looked like a lovely flower garden. I quickly turned to look behind me and there stood a bronze statue of the butterfly symbol. That's the other doorway Ryan was talking about, and it stood on a round stone dias.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiLXhRO71Q
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0qv28GCM9
"Come on, we better get going," said Ryan. I quickly turned to see him walk down the steps of the dais to the stone aisle below. "The others are waiting for us."543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDfLpEMYrg
543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBBtEjHOjm
I quickly rushed down to catch up to him towards what felt to me like an adventure.543Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvgIXr3uUq
