Five years ago388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoDAvokV8l
Mpunde Girls Secondary School388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ5NBlK277
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLixJUq3Oq
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14uzfrNKEi
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkUSyE87Ov
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64cOCojmaD
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMw36Udiz4L
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSvhTzjdgT
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiybQBchjC
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57I1XLFcwY
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCGjuFsCpC
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda9UNhXvc4
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLGr5Eg9QG
"You're up early," she said and yawned afterwards.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptCbufYSpk
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjnhh5rW61
"Yes, I am," I said as I folded the ends of the bed cover under the mattress. "How are you this morning?"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpF1qpvTLg
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItQ1PL28Bl
Chileshe had her hands on her hips as she arched her back, stretching.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEhsTpoH8c
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigAlBvNUBw
"Ah, my body is aching because of sports," she answered. "And my legs feel like l've been wearing rocks for shoes."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeDGPtv71v
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4depfTYIBd
"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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtOltd8hRk
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bKOoh22hx
Chileshe yawned again and this time she tried to cover her mouth. She continued her way down the aisle for the door.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1X4DOnCU7
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc5vM0st7t
"I feel old already," I heard her mutter. I smiled at her as she walked away.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF5efg5Ocl
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEbZfPJm4N
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLBXdbIhVE
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mE4S9lnB8
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyr3xpc4gy
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvhcWcVBfb
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?388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUpQ0BdFL8
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNBd6UYOS8
I ignored it and walked down the aisle, heading out of the dorm.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09HMdugCXI
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLJzc5wxBg
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79XHEbBpqv
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWlir1Vlwk
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRipAQnrVYI
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyQXtDk4UI
I found myself outside the ablution. I had to fetch water first in the bucket outside the ablution building.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXojPjbNLFp
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnG98xCM8h
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3HJ9bzARO
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bqZyZ7Knm
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EW14R9L3N
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbnDFE7G8r
I hadn't heard any footsteps.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgOQRXemBy
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAhl0odSoo
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxCfkoi8Bf
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAcy50AeuA
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRaYmOjqIR
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm7qRgdt8a
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIiwX4ZWXo
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqG3al8KF1
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhmHGZaHyX
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7AZq39myJ
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLzhenisEJ
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJDnyxsUHz
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRGYqYZPr9
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMWFDwKa6r
As I poured water all over my body, I thought I heard a noise outside the shower cubicle.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0vUG9eiii
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46f0hQEoIM
I stopped what I was doing to hear, but after a long quiet pause, I continued to bathe.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTqMgazqNG
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6snF1FnAnN
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyDII4I4qI
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlMeI50CaY
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnnAxsZNqs
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0aEOeiCqn
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId09t8vnmi
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMYej8FEpk
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?388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAhxgwFDXa
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLZ5d0ka4E
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSm0U9oy2Q
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHwRrUo1k6
The day I met Death.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasFmUPh7aG
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7pUpQQgJr
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?388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tDLGTkVTd
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDhipL7wdm
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?388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA2qkpEvnk
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1WXs6kUCj
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8CRvVrF2s
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiWaS2wMlT
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsedhbfN5hA
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1mbEmsrjQ
Where am I? Snow and pine trees? What is this place? How did I get here?388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5ws8yhd1Y
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd5qbK4Fw5
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ACGoHTYEM
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9CWu7nKAP
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv42wTgubbp
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIMG6bdkEW
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjQ1H6j7FT
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMoRdEShS0
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouMmiIdE4y
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMv77EqhMI
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBgcPhngik
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK97qI9nxM
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgbBAL7Kps
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fir8U6hbz
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJr6Zy17Xp
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHCrNlKR0Q
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKCeET0vI2
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIAGM9HqQ7
"Hello?" I called out as I slowly approached.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3e3GJLpjo
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq7EKghqyr
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?388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrbgjycury
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAh4Qm6c0m
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnBIrGntnx
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2TTqStjVs
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4QtTowmtr
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpOX8SLoaK
"Aargh!" I yelled, trying to pull away, but to no avail.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡue9nGyq84H
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwXcyqzTxn
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6oUXBY2de
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OGoJ5Ujtk
"Let me go, you're hurting me!" I yelled.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Dwu8v1w77
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVcmjP6Eq5
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1k2bdNWj4
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn2U5ylrMV
"What are you doing? Let me go!"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSep6SzhNuN
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN94pLkoPfX
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ769ePhNNvr
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6hkM0Sv3B
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqHgQRCSc5
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbbpektymC
"Please, let me go," I pleaded. My knees were buried deep into the snow and that made me freeze all the more.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7WzLsrZRR
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOu743iW2B
"What are you doing here?" the person asked in a female voice.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElYtt0qpYU
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0zgwL31z9
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrfqX20x4V
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj7kCFRA1N
"I asked what you're doing here? You're not supposed to be here."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoOracEJKN
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tZvkbRNif
"I-I," I stuttered. "I just found myself here. I..., I don't know how I got here."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUZutnoNvs
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuv8zXzBr1
"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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60Y030ieL6
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qsXLRpQPF
"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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3Svi34QDK
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoR2ObkIag
The person moved her head again like she was staring at the clouds up above. "This place isn't meant for you."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPye0pj0iJ
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeArAVO0p9L
"Yes, I can see that," I nervously chuckled. I stopped when she didn't say anything.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVheo50MCz
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7TlUJ7zx7
"Tell me how to get back," I said. "I can't stay here much longer."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZLg0wFZ0S
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvaVHbRRUI
"I can't help you," the woman replied, still looking upwards. "You'll have to figure it out on your own."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGnVLCpkbR
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbugRkrQNdM
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4qhh451SQ
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk33sOcoxR
"How am I supposed to get back when I don't even know how I got here?" I asked.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1F7C3vlfi
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoMk3lsTZp
"Like I said, you'll figure it out on your own," the woman said as she slowly started to walk away.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwr9KMV3Da
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq4dOe0evO
"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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNygXGYrdf
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvgtX2awH4
Soon, my body gave in and I found myself falling back onto the snow on my knees. What's happening to me?388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2PnxeHXGi
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ50imdLUEi
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjNGd6emz4
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95rbRFnZJm
"Please...," I said, my teeth starting to clatter against each other. "Help..., me."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQiMeIQrtG
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu1FgLLI92
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3RG1BZyWX
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2HLBu1m8L
All of a sudden, she came at me, fast. I didn't have time to react as I felt her hand around my neck.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UUBcymZ95
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPZSVcCzap
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN5d6wNqfR
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMLvWFdpv8
"Whatever you do, don't you ever, ever come back here!" she yelled at me. "At least try not to."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0EexDmoPW
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vPF0hcqms
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5xebjCh6z
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVJyW1uHLN
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIfCid35fD
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENC2fo49s3
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORgEL77Yo4
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N1jNHgvfs
I open my eyes, finding myself back in the ablution near the sinks close to the now open door.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFEIuwvW0z
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAEkxAl9La
I start to look around. Where is all the snow and the trees? The woman? Am I really back? But how?388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPunAijYDUi
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE4ZlTT2jq
The ablution still remained empty with only me inside. Hadn't the morning bell rang? Where is everyone?388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFySK0C61IJ
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30bcMleTu1
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgOvmjJnTu
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW3lg46iWL
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?388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70nhxEwHdv
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrWjtEegD8
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhU8DsmxHV
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1nfoqao7O
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKjFydxcvT
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2mK0NSb1B
"Wake up, you," I said as I came to our bunk and gently slapped her on the cheek.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gfFPROndg
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxn6aRXvfzI
"Awwh, Diana!" she protested as she turned around to face the other side.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwCelnNQsG
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDTA8MKI8z
"You're forgetting that today is Saturday," I said as I went to the other side of the bunk to get dressed.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oiIUI7vQl
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2DWBhJhaC
"You said it yourself. It's Saturday."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46Pqdyxgl3
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuPcHvRg2e
"It's inspection day."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRhtxbES6C
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdqajBrEPL
She quickly sat up on her elbow to look at me. "I thought inspection is tomorrow."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8gL7YV9dl
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNwOcsA72i
"Inspection day last week was on a Sunday."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L6bGr9SCN
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpj5FSg3BB
"Ahhh!" she muttered as she fell back in the covers. "Now I really need to get up."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFJPDuoDcW
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5nK6tsDV9
"You surely do."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlm89gvcdZ
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadiwz9JDHm
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLPrlNogCS
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvxHw8Vbkh
"How come you managed to bath so early?" she asked.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMYhAY6UCj
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7a8jogmTN
"I woke up early," I answered as I opened my suitcase to get my lotion.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBNgeXDnSv
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDshItwEbQ
"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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzwM8rGhdE
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2Ngvpgpkc
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTvWLY05AK
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgm7lGGNnQ
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzkRpbAjyZ
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3p1wzTApQ
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?388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGatohgRBMW
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNKnDwN3Mx
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdMpMUZFBr
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt7nfdaQ4g
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZEdYU0JFy
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5noH5J25Sc
"Morning, Diana," said Chisha.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7feVxZHiA
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNTbXt6Kj5
"Morning," I said.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFkE2BeFvf
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdUDhz1WbP
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYZYNu3mF7
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiNRN2wn67
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uH3PXWGG3
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRAYMqqDIm
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3m5NyIPav
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezi9Ndw5sV
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPIV3LuLpb
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0uy6GxImQ
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyFfuEFbBC
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH8mvq9ZD5
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87iEtankbw
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AUVdKnM97
I turned around. There's nobody there. Strange.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEE9uLY60i
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSCQbqY3ir
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdOlYPJ54a
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eng4nkAIB
"Ouch," I muttered, holding my nose. My eyes started to water because of the pain.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVIq16ZwRz
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxDqpNxA85
"You really should be looking where you're going," came a male voice in front of me.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGR51UN0oa
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6xtRoctK8
I opened my watery eyes and the first thing that caught my eye was a purple cloak.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOzSBCJbnD
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkdusowhKy
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pJR2Jvcw7
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y0vwI7xpV
His mouth raised up into a smile. A corky one for that matter.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNunjot20X
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IjQvKAFxr
"You're the man from yesterday," I said, still holding my nose.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNHICf8MVu
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUie94tZJe
"Yes, I am," he said. "You probably don't know my name. I'm Ryan. I see you got my signal."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOehNeHQHFY
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4kfqFnBzg
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLyk2yoUqh
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdz2RoT63GP
"Wait..., what signal?" I asked.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC7dp7n6t4
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnmwZk6Sga
"You didn't feel anything strange back in your room?" he asked with a worrying look on his face.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTtzPzuY2Z
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNR4njm3S4Y
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeFuNI0hKj
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxoIAJHTkE
"If we're done with introductions," he said, "let's get going."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZnjHOloDh
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN1EhBWHnO
"Wait, you're taking me with you right now?" I asked just when he was about to turn around and lead the way.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u4jSTwkOW
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnKyByUWfk
"That was the agreement, wasn't it?" he asked with his eyebrow raised.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoahRyK2Mu
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Nr4KFQTFH
"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?"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNszo9s8Hu
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5CCdhieCh
He gave me a serious look and I regretted saying that. He had his hands cupped before him, obviously contemplating about who knows what.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY45RFkPAJ0
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mZ3x5jBRg
"Didn't we agree that your training starts today?" he asked.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskVMGP6Ofh
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bKatWBce0
"If you think about it, you ordered that training starts today. I practically didn't agree on anything."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Vqzwr6kgG
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7961mvDsqC
"Don't try to wiggle your way out of this, Diana." He leaned closer. "Your training is of utmost importance."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5wBAHbEmA
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pFPMxXuYn
"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."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NlMFbHy2Z
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9v4SkyH0Z
"We know you don't understand what's going on and that's why we want to help you."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjSwhzP9sF
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCySaXkIxpp
"Oh, really? And how is this 'training' going to help me?" This time I raised my eyebrow at him.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT3At56QGr
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oq5WT9ElZ
"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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrhJApAFIS
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ8oHJDD6y
"Is it physical? Am I going to learn some kind of skill?"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9LIjjKl9f
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp92ZzcXNw
"All these questions are going to make my head ache." He straightened himself. "Come on, we better hurry."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18iSo9VFin
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKZhdbl1Tv
"Wait a minute," I said, stopping him from turning around again.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFsjRWalfE
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3adLChHIu
"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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XWfJmrNdN
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtZLbWJSMK
"I've my duties to do first and there's breakfast that I can't miss. Also-"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse4vsAZyP8
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeZ0NvM9Gn
"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."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmixZ9AdnQd
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd3FlzUcwv
"Are you sure? I may not be the most popular girl around, but I've friends that will notice that I'm not here."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIVhmu5Q0O
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUx5MltGEJ
"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."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdGPQU9Z9B
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiTN2amQeA
"Oh..., this training is physical, then?"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWDvsHyv1Z
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVX1HLDxCW
"You'll see when we get there. Can we please go now?"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUBl3CQggO
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgnwVuY3KH
"Well..., alright." I dropped the broom onto the ground.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBdgYJjG7h
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfslsCZ80Rh
"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."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5yVOf9Wpr
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugt6rbbykI
"I hope it won't come to that," I answered as he lead the way behind the garage.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUpBXhqWuS
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZNRy3TJuM
I heard him scoff. "Some day you'll."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc15JAzlpn
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXb6SN7jT8
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpSaf3Dy7A
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vfVQ0NzW6
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtknNyfl9j
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ivybLLHHc
"What are you doing?" I asked, surprised that someone like him would graffiti the wall. "That's not allowed."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomzFSQPst1
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpkdTd0ESB
"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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcVGMPzhWK
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYhZW6qFMz
"How is drawing going to take us where we need to go?"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd9oxhksse
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qPyKa99GG
"Already full of questions, huh?" Ryan asked as he finished drawing a full round circle, almost his height. "Don't you watch fantasy movies?"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2neNJBxbL1
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qYzd0yFhN
"Of course I watch fantasy movies," I said, upset with him questioning me about such. If anything, I am a big fan of fantasy.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIcwaeQCKY
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhrH3iqZJl
"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?"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbz1KDSxxr
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRKEjTnTql
"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."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFejlOWxhX
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCHcmJuWpl
"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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQD6ZVwc8k
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXUaTaAkF2
"So this drawing will lead us to the island?"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDZbrjbMnK
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZYKzHz4nA
"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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJNP9Xkia6
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp15LpYnHY
"What is it?"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuvNSLnfkD
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yYwc9JPKm
"How to use it. It's not some ordinary drawing. You need to activate it for it to act as a doorway."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Tz2XA0hHS
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtS1xUNVqq
"How do you activate it?"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAivTshNVh
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQhQiOJqcY
"By a chant." He turned to look at me.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgein6gRMem
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcLOd8dSIX
"A chant? Meaning I've to say something?"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4rvi8uov0
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6uhZjY6qJ
"Yes. The bad part is, you don't know the language yet."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWtzAQgsNf
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiJwM0Fzbm
"Oh..., that language," I muttered as I remembered the writings I saw on the doorway of the Butterfly Temple.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48UyL6MKEC
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIeDPUqFCm
"Don't worry, it isn't as hard as you think." Ryan beamed at me.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmhV5JR7XL
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1H3OWR8nz
"Easy for you to say. I've the man in green teaching it to me."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu70mxMWEn
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37sKoa7t88
"He's a handful, but Bob isn't that bad when you get to know him."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahJvSfVDjo
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANXDvQCGju
"I beg to differ," I quietly muttered to myself as Ryan turned to look back at the drawing.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OCXY7Iesr
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBJ8A5NxC6
"Okay, we better get going."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneTTdFYhkr
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1aqbO77OR
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn97iMys6WD
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgb3y4nSKk
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiWjsAG5n1
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrwrkMwRe3
"Is that it?" I asked Ryan.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF9hecu8ZV
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUIAKk9uGw
"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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBUIPcy6dB
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XlTpWnx1d
"Wow. But wait..., won't someone find the drawing and get dragged in by accident?"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LIAaQOazZ
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElWuTeuo9C
"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."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCbvi4zCUW
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDfa0Ekypp
"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?"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEUBojfxJU
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oU8I34jCG
Ryan smacked his lips, and I realized that I wasn't going to like his answer.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXoqRQrNmo
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTxZU5iKVo
"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."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifN8dgiHHH
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGB989TxoW
"But what if there's an emergency here and I need your help?"388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kc0Fl3LkT
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTC6MidVeg
"Don't worry, there's something for that too. I'll tell you about it later. Right now, we've to get moving."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEQWSkY05O
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJFSQ4Pgl1
"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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRnA4Q8Dhq
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqrUllz1im
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vYjzWyvqZ
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1JsioPHCd
"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Ryan asked.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlpPafSJC5
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiukiovc1Hv
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.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZBPTSHRxC
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8U2c6mm2e
"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."388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XWN8mWEKl
388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22HUZoUFJP
I quickly rushed down to catch up to him towards what felt to me like an adventure.388Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhcM7KbT8M
