Five years ago486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMpB1gBeF6
Mpunde Girls Secondary School486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzZ4Jr0l9n
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9TMhIxSC4
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3jrnkx3WF
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb7wYusxG5
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCHf1Qqcah
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoBtp6BVSI
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmUU9gLVoP
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXYxWTcsnl
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw7Jf17zsK
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKZGGIGXqm
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwRuiZ3V3t
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"You're up early," she said and yawned afterwards.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ274M0v1UaB
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhnhrlIEui
"Yes, I am," I said as I folded the ends of the bed cover under the mattress. "How are you this morning?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6cWGYSOnE
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Chileshe had her hands on her hips as she arched her back, stretching.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OOKjtMcX1
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"Ah, my body is aching because of sports," she answered. "And my legs feel like l've been wearing rocks for shoes."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8ropEIxGd
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PG1YwIKEc
"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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKpc5f8O2O
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaMz4ARZvD
Chileshe yawned again and this time she tried to cover her mouth. She continued her way down the aisle for the door.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfziycfcl0P
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs18JsglACO
"I feel old already," I heard her mutter. I smiled at her as she walked away.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl9gZ1dhci
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZnNO6KdUr
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2vtaF8Krf
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoMPsnaMhY
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sDYFdieUH
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH2JE8LqXQ
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?486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIHvIkhwNu
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4iwXwjIoA
I ignored it and walked down the aisle, heading out of the dorm.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ421QaBYxmE
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz5OmUqlBP
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6u8R3j1QZ
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXtKWvoZ5A
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN6hhml8Th
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZpYzTv075
I found myself outside the ablution. I had to fetch water first in the bucket outside the ablution building.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtvxkTi9cs
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIzOdi9Dwy
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnmiyWv0KB
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0EIhg29Lg
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaadNiG66Ab
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I hadn't heard any footsteps.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDr7b2r0JU
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyd9BslLYG
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRciuE0w1T6
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpg5yzaw0GT
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhfg8Vh3aG
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBUFDK5d89
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qkhXASSI6
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJDFmRMx0h
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5tkn0nFJk
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayzO5FzZ9y
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeAboi681C
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdC5YPuXi36
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24KdQSi4o9
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZhsXIMwJb
As I poured water all over my body, I thought I heard a noise outside the shower cubicle.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIbm815p2o
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj93sc2AgJI
I stopped what I was doing to hear, but after a long quiet pause, I continued to bathe.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSUw45LDLk
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahlebSiDDN
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9Yx6DAEkl
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ1xOaKQIA
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSsQUFmYsR
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRDyndP5ZE
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8lmwGMOfa
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzKdqWpGw0
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?486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyrcuAIu10
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG0iMN0XqD
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzFIkPfEDd
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOCldNBXcp
The day I met Death.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdkWt8wady
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNw1oSKmx02
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?486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4xC9ZtwZO
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68s2iW4dOs
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?486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEz8fFxzkS
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1r8cPfOA4
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXwxXTjOdS
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmgyI6Wwqc
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscBKAgCFXN
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoGcxDUOcF
Where am I? Snow and pine trees? What is this place? How did I get here?486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPBOQ1gRUn
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM12vV8BRT
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWVRq22ChG
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMtWE2snbD
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3tjFsOtYT
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZfdpHaQP1
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWtTB8qBGM
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2gjigvQoO
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRAOmscXZ9
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09rk5u4BU4
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEy4FIkvy0
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP48IVXohe
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoPAJN6KJn
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib8qs5fUQI
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzjoOH8SeX
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7D6Ihveqh
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wnqKSM38M
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HQilH32ST
"Hello?" I called out as I slowly approached.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIjg00cAiE
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLYm15Vdia
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?486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPZH0SoSEn
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFUU28l5FV
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNom9Of93v
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2EciXAMtf
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AgwIBs8MZ
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMCYJm2kla
"Aargh!" I yelled, trying to pull away, but to no avail.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQQ8QVu2is
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuaX4Iq7vx
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXBsx8pgJG
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvKxihjIhK
"Let me go, you're hurting me!" I yelled.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg5hccJfm4
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iLck6dIzQ
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfTj6g7JXe
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZCKYatpIB
"What are you doing? Let me go!"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezpHa5I7zx
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2MePRr4u2
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIs7JcsJ48
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStOsrve6oZ
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rzLLnmyVA
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrtT9QWwjU
"Please, let me go," I pleaded. My knees were buried deep into the snow and that made me freeze all the more.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12BG31WnkL
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiQZnMUM5x
"What are you doing here?" the person asked in a female voice.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrHzUXGAR5
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4homP2Y7ku
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiueMI5XO4
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqXKmPa3In
"I asked what you're doing here? You're not supposed to be here."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4ecBn7Kvu
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pvzxt3zby
"I-I," I stuttered. "I just found myself here. I..., I don't know how I got here."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvUS9etpcd
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXaWe74fKC
"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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E62RGKBS0
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM92nyQT94M
"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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRKFAS6j07
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKyFXi8MGX
The person moved her head again like she was staring at the clouds up above. "This place isn't meant for you."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YP6BcbVdH
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBiYAP94AI
"Yes, I can see that," I nervously chuckled. I stopped when she didn't say anything.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OT5B1jnYZ
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzgN18kEqz
"Tell me how to get back," I said. "I can't stay here much longer."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERo3B304QH
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8BJxbr7lp
"I can't help you," the woman replied, still looking upwards. "You'll have to figure it out on your own."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4eprDxyml
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdMWioKQKZ
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO32xJF6kW
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgPx1dD7rO
"How am I supposed to get back when I don't even know how I got here?" I asked.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWjGWi6oOM
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9hPBxUPcD
"Like I said, you'll figure it out on your own," the woman said as she slowly started to walk away.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEy52b3kco
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR50jkVWYO
"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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpgDxOa4y1
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9E1uRXwT1
Soon, my body gave in and I found myself falling back onto the snow on my knees. What's happening to me?486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIDV6j3K0t
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwqNX5sPBN
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iLuMPXfIb
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb85vUZhQt
"Please...," I said, my teeth starting to clatter against each other. "Help..., me."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2651ZFLeX5
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1ISM23aJS
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb6oysYFXT
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8biZta805
All of a sudden, she came at me, fast. I didn't have time to react as I felt her hand around my neck.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljy7JcoVl2
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrJbomswDt
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4IjmaDpA8
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDDvEj6s0B
"Whatever you do, don't you ever, ever come back here!" she yelled at me. "At least try not to."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRbjjMMrLb
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRW1opQl4Z
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32aW6C6lDE
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV62JnMeR8e
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00JSSc5vR9
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuXkivStak
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3zV20b38y
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJPV2ei9K2
I open my eyes, finding myself back in the ablution near the sinks close to the now open door.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33x8cEkIOq
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V9dz9z0wC
I start to look around. Where is all the snow and the trees? The woman? Am I really back? But how?486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnzE3ONr9j
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxhrJM224e
The ablution still remained empty with only me inside. Hadn't the morning bell rang? Where is everyone?486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe6iCCldQ9
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEST9tUeLM
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ9D7Iy6lY
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk7iytriUZ
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?486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqaaZGeNyC
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFEq7EGYuD
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbI18L5lPA
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMGpPtkUe9
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOSKGhONBe
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODZDuVmqtD
"Wake up, you," I said as I came to our bunk and gently slapped her on the cheek.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCqhyNGoVd
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AfejzfGui
"Awwh, Diana!" she protested as she turned around to face the other side.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam3CCyT76U
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyowra7b2Px
"You're forgetting that today is Saturday," I said as I went to the other side of the bunk to get dressed.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AgHr5dwWA
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7MGdIGLsR
"You said it yourself. It's Saturday."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfp20EvEBv
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80vVzAJjlJ
"It's inspection day."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PZrEYjdaE
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbMfoRnMrk
She quickly sat up on her elbow to look at me. "I thought inspection is tomorrow."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsY7Ddcq0ov
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWl7oRQgcv
"Inspection day last week was on a Sunday."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCWcuUH57f
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30VReDBBvp
"Ahhh!" she muttered as she fell back in the covers. "Now I really need to get up."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3z0vH6Tlu
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSYAUEOFa6
"You surely do."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdVH9EJQfO
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4fSJ1KYn1
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAMEbKT29I
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaoQFj9fsk
"How come you managed to bath so early?" she asked.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtr8wMV1yV
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53Vb42lt0V
"I woke up early," I answered as I opened my suitcase to get my lotion.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLJ4xkbEU5
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbtKqgz37w
"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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NUqyu38Ye
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aLop4m0di
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9eWxwHxof
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPptRxAGIR
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnio6X1PI9D
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1jj2Fuaoo
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?486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXTz1C9keO
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYax4LWPtb
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aJVbUxtDH
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGtEjop07L
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzb4IMX5h2
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TjNTQHRuY
"Morning, Diana," said Chisha.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgXrOt9f4g
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpE3RcMpSk
"Morning," I said.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB4sK4yYAf
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2VCxUrOku
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwHRTRZfxV
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAxkYDQOrK
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFTpy93XfV
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c6qmYwy1A
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYDu4EePI9
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYKrm6plAo
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt13cFsasgo
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQdgub4Ya0
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn82TDZ0Nvb
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY4vD6D6S7
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyQw3YimkJ
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUysfBoRFkS
I turned around. There's nobody there. Strange.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS169DbjS5
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsaK2TaBQq
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9J0Nc2Kn6
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cbprB5AR6
"Ouch," I muttered, holding my nose. My eyes started to water because of the pain.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVfM9vKZIE
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq07t0r7do
"You really should be looking where you're going," came a male voice in front of me.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOZpKIqBaP
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHsGodo1LS
I opened my watery eyes and the first thing that caught my eye was a purple cloak.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcC5KhKUzX
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKHq8ksmWx
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dvyy5VBg3
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJfoVPs0cY
His mouth raised up into a smile. A corky one for that matter.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvJL04Vu7a
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoWoLHgTXt
"You're the man from yesterday," I said, still holding my nose.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4t1b1b3av
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GfDjoY246
"Yes, I am," he said. "You probably don't know my name. I'm Ryan. I see you got my signal."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYsgOWQqca
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGUHsH0ba9
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuUNCOalzQ
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAY44U2jiT
"Wait..., what signal?" I asked.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nGpGWHaE1
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlOPnmrHfz
"You didn't feel anything strange back in your room?" he asked with a worrying look on his face.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6mtPzQYWV
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcTjUmnVZ8
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2VKdbVtii
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQcDZaf9p6
"If we're done with introductions," he said, "let's get going."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB7w5Une7l
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWPmE59vsC
"Wait, you're taking me with you right now?" I asked just when he was about to turn around and lead the way.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5lx4tdiyt
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpxuQuoh9r
"That was the agreement, wasn't it?" he asked with his eyebrow raised.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JOgEvOJ9k
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8FI53oSyF
"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?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCsO1gQDUF
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2sI9n5Wfl
He gave me a serious look and I regretted saying that. He had his hands cupped before him, obviously contemplating about who knows what.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m48fhGNrq
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcVi0Jeuak
"Didn't we agree that your training starts today?" he asked.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXibksoiQiT
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3JXBC9CL9
"If you think about it, you ordered that training starts today. I practically didn't agree on anything."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntrphUphk7
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8USEGdo6g
"Don't try to wiggle your way out of this, Diana." He leaned closer. "Your training is of utmost importance."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpSKqCwrAH
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE7lKnywkr
"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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjZKPt3XKK
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LX8JHfXwP
"We know you don't understand what's going on and that's why we want to help you."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuV4FB8MA2
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoKPgwsNI2
"Oh, really? And how is this 'training' going to help me?" This time I raised my eyebrow at him.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOum8TezPu8
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DJmFt7MYs
"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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw4IpSsscY
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHdB1qnQTs
"Is it physical? Am I going to learn some kind of skill?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67IizJHNXE
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90gA3ZW69n
"All these questions are going to make my head ache." He straightened himself. "Come on, we better hurry."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3c9R4ncFc
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPvgnx4vdc
"Wait a minute," I said, stopping him from turning around again.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPwneJp7GV
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwJNnc1Ujp
"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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkKzHfYUlz
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk37pJyPgJC
"I've my duties to do first and there's breakfast that I can't miss. Also-"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJKpJmLj1c
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5cqHbuJvZ
"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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUApXCvgbzC
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOduX9kUXu
"Are you sure? I may not be the most popular girl around, but I've friends that will notice that I'm not here."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfQiUo6wuw
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCOHgfEwzq
"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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qk6NBXBu4
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTabUeTA9p
"Oh..., this training is physical, then?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XfiLI1Wk0
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXealXLVBnc
"You'll see when we get there. Can we please go now?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4koHcGsgiV
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS0tLVzQGu
"Well..., alright." I dropped the broom onto the ground.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY54FFt9czz
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinZAh1NsFl
"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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgtyAjxPHl
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRN53qRG9x
"I hope it won't come to that," I answered as he lead the way behind the garage.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnuhOpSCKD
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x9aupmmZB
I heard him scoff. "Some day you'll."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ItqIS5Qcx
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj12sSP8Vy4
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoJnC4XNLg
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ia1oOYFUJ
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgo71Y00gz
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo34hipzD6H
"What are you doing?" I asked, surprised that someone like him would graffiti the wall. "That's not allowed."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm4zjAu6dc
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l0BQPhA4p
"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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k4f893t3G
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvt8qmJKuA
"How is drawing going to take us where we need to go?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3iK4uBEII
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbenDe8jbNT
"Already full of questions, huh?" Ryan asked as he finished drawing a full round circle, almost his height. "Don't you watch fantasy movies?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1tdVKga3P
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOgyf7AioX
"Of course I watch fantasy movies," I said, upset with him questioning me about such. If anything, I am a big fan of fantasy.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpjXROn1qE
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHdG37AD8Z
"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?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0rtKNMV5O
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sAKOztYpY
"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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZaGQAB1q3
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4THgMW4bjn
"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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGifCjUkwPP
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4YOtOpCKe
"So this drawing will lead us to the island?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4gYgqTkln
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPolmLytph
"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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc5c7u9pNu
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLkPKXfs4H
"What is it?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubLdbFryeu
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03jVPKEEQV
"How to use it. It's not some ordinary drawing. You need to activate it for it to act as a doorway."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqtm6sPcWm
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqRaJAAvu9
"How do you activate it?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEULPhcxa4
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidhJbt39g7
"By a chant." He turned to look at me.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OyLuNrHO6
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh62swog78
"A chant? Meaning I've to say something?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRC0Oq5waL
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EQMsUc062
"Yes. The bad part is, you don't know the language yet."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDsKsfQM2C
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CoD37jozC
"Oh..., that language," I muttered as I remembered the writings I saw on the doorway of the Butterfly Temple.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aGnWqTrgb
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ294pFKKEnt
"Don't worry, it isn't as hard as you think." Ryan beamed at me.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OmC2IzNsQ
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsbv4fiSqK
"Easy for you to say. I've the man in green teaching it to me."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewM2HY8poN
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlwQwlTjXk
"He's a handful, but Bob isn't that bad when you get to know him."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV3fp5D1iz
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkwVn7Lsrr
"I beg to differ," I quietly muttered to myself as Ryan turned to look back at the drawing.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxWoOBdyVR
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKPHodvLOw
"Okay, we better get going."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lSAeEHRqJ
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZoTUKR2CO
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvncwtoElzX
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEpGWHhVUU
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXpIAKWEmS
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOEZQYDyvR
"Is that it?" I asked Ryan.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEkb8UIRbu
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"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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTzMhcHjHW
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMttrLltf1u
"Wow. But wait..., won't someone find the drawing and get dragged in by accident?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIglDPDbesF
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKC8tvyrQT
"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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVu35OyvE7
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4nclQpIlJ
"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?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSS1CPpCJe
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMymGwswYY
Ryan smacked his lips, and I realized that I wasn't going to like his answer.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2oJV6FkGg
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb12CCY2mLc
"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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgtQh2JmHC
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZxnymBwBh
"But what if there's an emergency here and I need your help?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCatWVkbYjP
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAynyCKygvu
"Don't worry, there's something for that too. I'll tell you about it later. Right now, we've to get moving."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ2GXEk0CO
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJYQBW9XW8
"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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXWPlUNoQi
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMFQKpSYAO
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEZwH6vpJ0
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFKn3BYUkr
"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Ryan asked.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTL5YcSVmFs
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEgcVYc5pW
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Cd8iq4oru
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTClfPaZqp
"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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rWoYCNgjg
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ004FfCpN8U
I quickly rushed down to catch up to him towards what felt to me like an adventure.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThSaXpu5sY
