Five years ago354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGwt7yHmcQ
Mpunde Girls Secondary School354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN0KOqLlOu
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtVaq0pBt8
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTVEgNFSeo
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QYz0O7WXj
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1EpGk3PXL
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfUchp8wOX
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"You're up early," she said and yawned afterwards.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHYLR1GBfe
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"Yes, I am," I said as I folded the ends of the bed cover under the mattress. "How are you this morning?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aWo3v3qJC
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Chileshe had her hands on her hips as she arched her back, stretching.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw7dZD1Dfv
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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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9bNEi8seI
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"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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4CCyv04O4
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Chileshe yawned again and this time she tried to cover her mouth. She continued her way down the aisle for the door.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMqqyPm3Au
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"I feel old already," I heard her mutter. I smiled at her as she walked away.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG9xk18Rg9
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE870smZOk
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmrmwGXH9Z
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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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMfr9BQCwl
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I ignored it and walked down the aisle, heading out of the dorm.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wmRHigE8v
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxw18knNTC
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkffUFTTtXj
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I found myself outside the ablution. I had to fetch water first in the bucket outside the ablution building.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8zFOlHbkK
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqSRVFSKP0
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhYJAe1Hil
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I hadn't heard any footsteps.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBI0M6eCNH
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkoViBT7aU
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZqOhLkEyG
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqimAcyfg7
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLVbwpVipu
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXzP5a1xEQ
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHydHmphRFq
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As I poured water all over my body, I thought I heard a noise outside the shower cubicle.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitlXoGQhh0
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I stopped what I was doing to hear, but after a long quiet pause, I continued to bathe.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp238w9o0W
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqPblKHGtr
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fITThy8BC
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6UctvYBoX
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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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTTb63IXCV
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1jiQWGNhG
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The day I met Death.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLwtcMg2iP
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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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLN5nHP336
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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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTn9vkmTcH
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43yqkii7Bd
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJrQ1Kl8bm
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Where am I? Snow and pine trees? What is this place? How did I get here?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpxYvGkWHl
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8dLdiP2ba
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡll4uriAfKu
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkICcBCBLi
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbFQU3A6bm
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBnSzFTvXo
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2jt7rMCAz
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXzfJqQYFV
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDJvoCfYSo
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"Hello?" I called out as I slowly approached.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX4LKDu419
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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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkI5qYwZai
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqlSO7hrOF
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tNalpjEhY
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"Aargh!" I yelled, trying to pull away, but to no avail.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMNM9T3s2c
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3j7oSd1Al
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"Let me go, you're hurting me!" I yelled.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSxOiyX7Qj
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzatTxtHDy
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"What are you doing? Let me go!"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mJYTBDFGm
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfs0VcIuAr
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcHKPvyWJM
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"Please, let me go," I pleaded. My knees were buried deep into the snow and that made me freeze all the more.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgYfUHFHND
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"What are you doing here?" the person asked in a female voice.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VzmbFkcGG
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLEXCrMZDZ
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"I asked what you're doing here? You're not supposed to be here."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w9a5NEQz8
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"I-I," I stuttered. "I just found myself here. I..., I don't know how I got here."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ4HyPatLL
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"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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMvx6zZ2Qj
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"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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroNHx5bpAW
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The person moved her head again like she was staring at the clouds up above. "This place isn't meant for you."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WpIP32r7K
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"Yes, I can see that," I nervously chuckled. I stopped when she didn't say anything.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRrLuKBwYR
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"Tell me how to get back," I said. "I can't stay here much longer."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWakv6uvrb
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"I can't help you," the woman replied, still looking upwards. "You'll have to figure it out on your own."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl02NYPqac
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh9pvAxRgp
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"How am I supposed to get back when I don't even know how I got here?" I asked.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKP1HV7bxa
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"Like I said, you'll figure it out on your own," the woman said as she slowly started to walk away.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2x4qyJhR6
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"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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMJEgvx5KD
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Soon, my body gave in and I found myself falling back onto the snow on my knees. What's happening to me?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqr2RyFied
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzFvOg2yyc
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"Please...," I said, my teeth starting to clatter against each other. "Help..., me."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKhUm3fx4Q
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKbq91rmm1
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All of a sudden, she came at me, fast. I didn't have time to react as I felt her hand around my neck.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCR5EdZL3F
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGiyRXZsUa
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"Whatever you do, don't you ever, ever come back here!" she yelled at me. "At least try not to."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7heWxGSZ8E
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9dO5iNaEC
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPbkFXitnf
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWbZ820lAQ
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tOkxErMzl
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5UN6yecRn
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSxmFs3X1K
I open my eyes, finding myself back in the ablution near the sinks close to the now open door.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA1H0D6P7w
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I start to look around. Where is all the snow and the trees? The woman? Am I really back? But how?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOoqCDC404
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW69xQjjbl6
The ablution still remained empty with only me inside. Hadn't the morning bell rang? Where is everyone?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQAjDenJQV
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1014udRfw
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm751HlRdLh
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNaxOX1vqS
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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmJJomiLRP
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShcrXaY9wI
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlfmhgQkIE
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sAgw2h8lv
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9rifPMnTy
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hdRNlqcfn
"Wake up, you," I said as I came to our bunk and gently slapped her on the cheek.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliUuFjh5Ud
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"Awwh, Diana!" she protested as she turned around to face the other side.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXnwQoMNh3
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"You're forgetting that today is Saturday," I said as I went to the other side of the bunk to get dressed.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKL0koB1MC
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0wG69lngC
"You said it yourself. It's Saturday."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNdB8ZGfHF
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"It's inspection day."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrvgig5zNc
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She quickly sat up on her elbow to look at me. "I thought inspection is tomorrow."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpRrOp0ft5
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyDtdK9leO
"Inspection day last week was on a Sunday."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3RxKtq6Uy
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazpT7iJlvO
"Ahhh!" she muttered as she fell back in the covers. "Now I really need to get up."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrFvrzXAt6
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMRfp42vxP
"You surely do."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6VBwCq0vR
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvqIcWxM4Y
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfiScdDQMW
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKIMoCXfIe
"How come you managed to bath so early?" she asked.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwhmqPDHeB
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpqZBJscyG
"I woke up early," I answered as I opened my suitcase to get my lotion.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JzYcaZHe9
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5coW1UP1I
"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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLvH8rPEYr
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi3DZLKw1j
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UjtIr7sp3
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDGYWr4JYE
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuZ2qDW3Kn
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJA38LQpmn
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?354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKR9Xu4DbF
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFm3v0GczX
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOJNUvcDKj
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXwxy1KnoM
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf0YeiLVkE
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0I0gCOecf
"Morning, Diana," said Chisha.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcHFCsXoZl
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"Morning," I said.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaX2oh05XX
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPBTzZBcRA
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRXjsRzGPP
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bNFkiRJYv
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO3u2TMEPD
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKuo9pzvuO
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0X3cJMQkR
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm09DHj30B
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcOOULEGM3
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b8N0RWcU0
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDVM17C728
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN5aooX5Uj
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyrGMOU7Mm
I turned around. There's nobody there. Strange.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr7cAiMbBZ
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg8cHexZWQ
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"Ouch," I muttered, holding my nose. My eyes started to water because of the pain.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR5EfHULXt
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9pP7tGTpS
"You really should be looking where you're going," came a male voice in front of me.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMqX1rOmlX
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5Azkv8Cw3
I opened my watery eyes and the first thing that caught my eye was a purple cloak.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJSihP0LAI
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BL2dJfOfw
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTgQIZP0GG
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMW8jKzcRf
His mouth raised up into a smile. A corky one for that matter.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCDtRrxpqU
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNQ5U47oKN
"You're the man from yesterday," I said, still holding my nose.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GOUL3q7v5
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBpxf5bQKP
"Yes, I am," he said. "You probably don't know my name. I'm Ryan. I see you got my signal."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtveRdIGC0B
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1QTBh543R
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQDWhtgJvo
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdubRJ9r6Y
"Wait..., what signal?" I asked.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2KuBfPyk5
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqL8fNJVZP
"You didn't feel anything strange back in your room?" he asked with a worrying look on his face.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKmuzpdEfl
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8yaBZ6Xlo
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5bB6FXprv
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1PU19xVd2
"If we're done with introductions," he said, "let's get going."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoqzHHJGir
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYMJLuY8DG
"Wait, you're taking me with you right now?" I asked just when he was about to turn around and lead the way.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8MUyfrSNh
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"That was the agreement, wasn't it?" he asked with his eyebrow raised.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff7JJcqvzl
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWiWV3OpQ3
"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?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf80JiO6muK
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8fBTSaPxV
He gave me a serious look and I regretted saying that. He had his hands cupped before him, obviously contemplating about who knows what.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhMXto5ku3
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2aFUiUYOY
"Didn't we agree that your training starts today?" he asked.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz4XSqvg0G
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWQhJrslBl
"If you think about it, you ordered that training starts today. I practically didn't agree on anything."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyskNLhZO50
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPXugAImWH
"Don't try to wiggle your way out of this, Diana." He leaned closer. "Your training is of utmost importance."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwKHlkja0m
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaiJx8ByCl
"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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLyytkWHG5
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe1QCkilxC
"We know you don't understand what's going on and that's why we want to help you."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2Dt4oUm3X
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtTC7bCqbj
"Oh, really? And how is this 'training' going to help me?" This time I raised my eyebrow at him.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9adqUBSKg8
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU6bqPkAl4
"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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNJ4VpL9CK
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6rHtLYOrs
"Is it physical? Am I going to learn some kind of skill?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCTRiZIjx4
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHN15J5z0Z
"All these questions are going to make my head ache." He straightened himself. "Come on, we better hurry."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJahREr597
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"Wait a minute," I said, stopping him from turning around again.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIi0O9oQ3I
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"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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYEGcshsbD
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtbKklhJzr
"I've my duties to do first and there's breakfast that I can't miss. Also-"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxpzjlQY15
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XGcs17pB3
"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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduS9U4dtx6
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VErfacZzT
"Are you sure? I may not be the most popular girl around, but I've friends that will notice that I'm not here."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjyKZZbjd9
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuopFaT9RH9
"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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03AOHeYY5A
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQpAjzgrLz
"Oh..., this training is physical, then?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhMyveaZbt
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3dxve9pDd
"You'll see when we get there. Can we please go now?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduouZypCnc
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV6Kji8iam
"Well..., alright." I dropped the broom onto the ground.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA2klCGrbb
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GsCSyOEQy
"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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvloqVlirPn
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uwzm6XXWJ
"I hope it won't come to that," I answered as he lead the way behind the garage.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4cXUUQR91
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I heard him scoff. "Some day you'll."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTCvAMhCVv
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9QSGpMXbI
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OmBTwyCbE
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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUgMdJRmxw
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEzZAHEslc
"What are you doing?" I asked, surprised that someone like him would graffiti the wall. "That's not allowed."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBMSAvGQ08
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSd7Pc2dFq
"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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7d64ikgHx
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSYeIGeLOf
"How is drawing going to take us where we need to go?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT08IG7YXN8
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0peJzMkBIL
"Already full of questions, huh?" Ryan asked as he finished drawing a full round circle, almost his height. "Don't you watch fantasy movies?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8wffknWf5
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNck5xCgvbO
"Of course I watch fantasy movies," I said, upset with him questioning me about such. If anything, I am a big fan of fantasy.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85cT8Wstk9
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WWB8eXBNP
"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?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHnpbrjljm
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"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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9pGnkTtdN
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ROl7xtI9S
"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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NxlMLCkPe
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXB2FLzuiL
"So this drawing will lead us to the island?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdiBUcplx3
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3DsXenIBC
"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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG5U6olTMZ
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxIYiOS551
"What is it?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA9deIKOWK
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bRL7fUdoG
"How to use it. It's not some ordinary drawing. You need to activate it for it to act as a doorway."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH6qmUQC1x
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcFZRigc9K
"How do you activate it?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXr1aJEnXJ
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGdgIEOg9X
"By a chant." He turned to look at me.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25bzXvBhCo
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIY1d1M3oO
"A chant? Meaning I've to say something?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTvTAw21zw
354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTdgKZ6NR9
"Yes. The bad part is, you don't know the language yet."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Lbzu3MyHa
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"Oh..., that language," I muttered as I remembered the writings I saw on the doorway of the Butterfly Temple.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvgdGLdHpQ
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"Don't worry, it isn't as hard as you think." Ryan beamed at me.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsidG67c71P
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"Easy for you to say. I've the man in green teaching it to me."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwJNO5SV0z
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"He's a handful, but Bob isn't that bad when you get to know him."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fUlBQbLtN
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"I beg to differ," I quietly muttered to myself as Ryan turned to look back at the drawing.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHNxJIsda7
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"Okay, we better get going."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFks3vrQ2m
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8v7bTWYTx6
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCgwsXCMz2
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"Is that it?" I asked Ryan.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6MCLbb7tk
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77hUgahoWS
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"Wow. But wait..., won't someone find the drawing and get dragged in by accident?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2QKI0ZD2s
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"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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcqpWOEEtj
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"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?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkx7m5S1z5
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Ryan smacked his lips, and I realized that I wasn't going to like his answer.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbwtZMSeOU
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"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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV32PHGmNoZ
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"But what if there's an emergency here and I need your help?"354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa6vmrkqY9
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"Don't worry, there's something for that too. I'll tell you about it later. Right now, we've to get moving."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1hbrHNMiI
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"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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f7u02lxHw
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJFjxwWSYG
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"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Ryan asked.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcT6YhNoX0
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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.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnv18HDkLz
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"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."354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU72KVt9Cx
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I quickly rushed down to catch up to him towards what felt to me like an adventure.354Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjr8VjfDag
