"Wakey, wakey, sleepy head," came a voice. Am I dreaming? I don’t think so. The voice sounds very familiar. I tried to open my eyes but I couldn’t.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7wRIRtwas
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I finally opened them and the light hit directly into my eyes. I slowly sat up. My body felt heavy and it ached like hell. I felt like going back to sleep. There's someone standing near the window. It's Ariana.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBCQMoLWjo
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"Can I sleep a little longer?" I asked as I yawned. Stretching my arms is hard and painful, so I didn't even try.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk3HXDsJ4y
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"I know what you mean," came her voice. My eyes are still so sleepy that everything looks blurry. "But I'm afraid I’ve to get you ready for today. So, if you don’t mind..."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gC9haexrX
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I muttered in frustration as I tried to move the bed covers aside. I groaned, both in pain and frustration. I hear footsteps and knew Ariana is coming to help. But somehow, I managed to get a big portion of the covers aside.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4MLbA0IYZ
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"Thank goodness," said Ariana as I looked at her through tired eyes. "I thought I would've have to carry you to the bathroom outside."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqypo6Zmj5
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"I'm fine," I said.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F51BSjSTh
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCfIbdqFUR
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpJunKj5S9
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTGsY8EY3E
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The two of us walked out of the room and just right next to my bedroom door is another. She opened it for me, and as expected, I didn't find myself in a modern day bathroom. There's a large wooden tub, that looked like a bucket in the middle of the room, big enough to fit two to three people. And it's full of hot steaming water. Am I really going to bath in that?214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj00zBBFJRJ
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbxXMYm972
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSPtnEqu90
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After my nice, warm, relaxing bath, I am back in my room, all dressed up in a long, black, 19th century dress, like the ones most of the females wore around here. I wish they could've given me in another colour, it did look good on me.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnEvtTia3X
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"Wow, just stunning," said Ariana as she stood behind me, holding my shoulders and looking in the mirror hung on the wall next to the wardrobe. There wasn't a full-length mirror here yesterday, so I was surprised when I came back from the bathroom that Ariana had brought one.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3IvzvNLnV
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"It's really nice," I commented.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqWJn1D1r2
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNERDTtEYZ
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A knock came at the door and Ariana quickly went to open it. The young nurse from last night came in with a tray.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERXRnosanT
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"Good morning, Ariana," she greeted as she entered the room. She turned towards me still standing in front of the mirror. "Morning. Well, you look stunning today."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxYuyy6QnR
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"Thank you," I said as I slowly turned around to approach the bed. The nurse already placed the tray on the table and I saw a white ceramic bowl and what looked like porridge in it.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbgIX8itJ1
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1Cj5pMiKV
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpscwX4UffB
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fRdvcVtRN
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"Do I have to continue drinking that medicine?" I asked as I approached the small table and looked at the small bowl filled with white porridge.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecyC9SDxh4
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqYd4f534J
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"I know it's good for me, but it's just so yucky!" I turned to look at her, sticking my tongue out.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOTNRCC486
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Ariana couldn't help but laugh. "You really are something. Now eat up. The others will be here any moment now."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKcC5gFkFJ
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After breakfast, Ariana escorted me out of my room. When we reached the bottom of the stairs, the place felt empty like it did yesterday. Now that I think about it, I feel Ariana and the rest of the High Order are behind this. What if people who aren't authorised to be here were told this part of the castle is off limits?214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jhTdPDXRm
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESizlt0HCa
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I hadn't realised that I was looking down the long quiet passage leading to the other side of the castle. I've a feeling that there's a lot going on.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aUlPSY3dd
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"Coming," I said, slowly turning around and joining Ariana who still stood at the door. She didn’t make a move as she continued to look at me.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozUTSGIw36
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"What is it?" I asked.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTkRaa6twX
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"Nothing, just curious about something," she said as she walked out. She obviously didn’t want me asking her questions. Can’t blame her. I do like asking a lot.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuA1p4jRd6n
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I slowly followed her outside and by the foot of the stairs, stood an elegant white carriage tied to two white magnificent horses. Wow! Now I know how Cinderella felt when she knew what she was riding in. I’m super excited. I felt like I had just entered a movie or something.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6hHXeTbn3
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Ariana went down the stone steps and waited in front of the carriage. She turned to look at me with a smile. Just a few seconds ago, she seemed different. Could I’ve something to do with it?214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlIjdA5ejg
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA71v0VGCg
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Just as I am about to make my way down, the nurse who visited my room earlier came from behind in a hurry.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlpRARDQ56
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"Wait," she said, as she came to stand beside me, stopping me with a hand on my shoulder. "You forgot to take your medicine." She held up her hand and in it, is a small wooden cup filled with the black liquid.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmi6V6PEpf
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"Oh, I completely forgot," I took the cup and quickly gulped the medicine down. The inside of my mouth and stomach burned like hell. I stuck out my tongue.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUyTAyefYU
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsH3tw9ic2X
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFdHTANHD8
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQieWxT5Kzn
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I give the nurse back the cup, the strong bitter feeling is just unbearable. I now wish for something sweeter than the butterfly cookies Ariana brought me yesterday. I start to make my way down the stone steps as Ariana went on to open the carriage. I notice that the door handle and the steps leading inside, were covered in gold. I couldn’t help but admire how elegant it looks.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuClzNQCNT
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8Gp6dWBDa
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUSf9UTyjA
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8geRvbATU5
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I look around. I expected the troops that came to get me in the orchard to also be here. I turned to the stone steps and the nurse who had brought me the medicine is already gone.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDanWagBJpv
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC5hej2Ny5
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"If you say so," I said as I placed my foot on the steps leading up to the carriage. I winced in pain and held my knee.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEdxCdDc1i
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPCKQA3uWp
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwbwKp5dRF
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CHyFfLd5f
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrcT1EH8VY
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9jxnQQsLw
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTdv367SJp
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu79tYbiSWt
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqILG5ROWz
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Yc74lZCgk
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She quickly drew away and I saw the look on her face change into an angry one. She quickly took my hand that was on her shoulder into a tight grip.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg1mIZtg47
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpeDtIZhXR
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI8JlCTJ4J
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"Get in the carriage," Ariana continued to insist as she started to push me inside, this time with her hands behind my back. I held both ends of the open door to prevent myself from going in. My shoulders hurt for doing so.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1iwIA5L59
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"No, I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who you are!" I also insisted, trying my best to stand my ground.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrEqHRIbiz
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lfpaquIIZ
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsv0FQM8vl
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"You leave me no choice." I felt her lift one of her hands from my back and I had a feeling she’s about to something deadly.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2F7x5ZuAM
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I pushed myself backwards with all my might, using my hands for force before this imposter could do anything. And in doing so, I pushed her and myself away from the door. I even hit her in the face with the back of my head.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVojBl5bmdl
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We both fall to the ground, and I’m quick enough to turn around to look at her. I found her holding her nose and there's a trickle of blood.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdHYtpdkLx
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gqOiE7Sj0
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayWaQhIDmR
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbTlEOa3mr
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No way am I stopping for anyone. Who is this person disguised as Ariana? I need to get away and look for help.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCs5l1Kfei
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I ran down the stone path that I used yesterday. When I reach the crossroads, I don’t take the turn that led to the orchard. I head for the iron gates straight ahead. There are probably guards there who could help.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYDmvCp0al
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75QVes5oJV
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I didn’t. And just when I’m approaching the gate, I noticed something is wrong. Before I could wrap my head around it, I felt the ground rumble below. When I looked, I found it cracking open. Before I could stop myself, I tripped over the upturned stones and went to ground.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVl1aqjSid
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"You really should listen when I tell you to stop!" the imposter called out. She’s approaching. I've to get away quickly.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVQjfR5Cem
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I lifted my head and looked towards the huge iron gates. They are a lot bigger than I imagined. I finally notice what’s wrong. There are people on the ground just near the gate. The guards. There are only three bodies lying unconscious. This is bad. Could the imposter have done this?214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokTp3UZY9X
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"For a new comer, you’re pretty sharp," came the imposter behind me. She’s getting close. "You figured out that I’m not Ariana. I’m impressed."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsf7gxodtF8
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I tried to get up, but my body hurt and I felt a sharp pain in my knee. I must have hurt myself pretty bad. I started to crawl. In one way or another I’ll have to reach the fallen guards. They’ve got to have weapons on them or something.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXTCeqIGa6
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQlEMBuU7C
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I continued to crawl when all of a sudden, I felt myself being lifted off the ground. Am I floating? I felt a certain force push me upwards that I now stood upright in the air. I felt myself turn looking in the direction of the imposter. With Ariana’s smile, I couldn’t tell if the person is smiling or just smirking.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv3rkPPpJE
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTpn68WjSS
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYO4e6yljz
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefFx61MSmX
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbEXUXkBjP
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"Ask me something else, then."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwDEs2VKZJ
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"Who are you?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJn577nNOi
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQex8yYIE4
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWLQ1hl1ud
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVURH484XS
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Ariana’s face started to change in an instant. Her blonde curly hair soon turned black and straight. The features on her face started to change, becoming more man-like with a chiselled chin and cheekbones. Her yellow robe turned to black and velvet. In front of me stood a man who looked to be in his late fifties.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULW1XqVve6
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnM0LnRkHY
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"How do you know my name?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvmizrH5d1
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Lord Vandell approached and the smirk on his face scared me a little. He looks like he has no good intentions.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCos6s3wiEx
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaiEpKR8dg
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYL7iqPDBN7
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WU1zzA5pR
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64wPMY5fO2
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FvrsPbnW0
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nfFgdTdWS
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKqSmdTBLe
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSg31BeaNQ
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAnbdvukFd
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I now start to wonder. Could this be why the others have been so protective over me? If it is, I totally agree with them now. This man may not look like it, but he’s a lunatic.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XX3McpX7i
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"Aren’t the others going to be upset that you took down security and Ariana just to get to me?" I asked.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLshnC5Mbx4
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"That’s why I wanted you out of here easily," he said with a smirk. "But you saw past my disguise. Not everybody does."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vhUyJUyAJ
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"What are you going to do to me?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzzTvoKq2K
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wf9BGpjLM
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"Well, I don’t like your approach. You can’t just kidnap me and think you’re going to get away with it."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnVFKC8PKM
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He scoffed. "Enough talk. Let’s get out of this boring place. Something tells me, we’re going to have a lot of fun together."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f0AYdUF6V
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I squirmed around to get myself out of his invisible hold, but it’s no use. I can’t go with him. Who knows what he will do to me.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXpTn7NMCk
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06w0CIFcyN
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"Don’t make me laugh, Diana," he said. I slowly floated downwards that I'm now at eye level with him. "You simply can’t do anything to me. Well, not yet, at least."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3yJfWgnD9
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He started to make his way towards the gate and still in his invisible grasp, I turned around in the air to follow him. I've to do something. I started to look around. There's still no one in sight. Where are Ryan and Stella when you need them? This is bad. Then I remembered something:214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP056kHz2M
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The birds.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tRHVX0DcW
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We were approaching the gate and I looked around for any sign of them. Using the inside of my head, I called out to them. Calling out loud will be silly. Lord Vandell would seal my mouth shut if I did.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOpuT45eoR
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I started to panic when the birds were still no where in sight. We're now at the gate. I started to squirm around to break free.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jjlWESzxS
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJV5xdHLTj
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"I beg to differ."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQkJdwgb32
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A high-pitched, chirping came from a distance, and I can't help but let out a sigh of relief. I turn my head. I expected to see the two blue birds from yesterday, but there's a large flock of the same kind, flying towards us. For a moment, I thought a blue cloud is descending upon us. There are so many.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QdR0QLw4n
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS9xZloyw1
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ30MZ7ETMy
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXahqPGGWCy
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCj3HWuh1X
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Before Lord Vandell could do anything, the birds came in one fell swoop, flying around us. For a minute, I can’t see what’s in front of me. The fluttering of their wings were like that of a strong wind.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjzjZTawZN
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I soon felt the invisible hold around me loosen and I fall to the ground. I didn’t fall too hard. The birds continued to fly around, but I realised that they are more concentrated on Lord Vandell. Almost the whole flock of birds surrounded him that it looked like he's stuck in a middle of a blue tornado. I could see him with his arms all around trying to keep the birds away. I noticed a few of them pecking at him when they got the chance.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUVZP4z33Q
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I stood up, grateful that the birds were of help. They could hold him at bay for a while until the others arrive.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDYqbigUxt
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Two birds came to sit on my shoulders. It’s the ones from yesterday. It’s weird how I could tell them apart from all the others that were flying around. They chirped at me, sounding relieved that I managed to get in touch with them.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PZxEYU8ch
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rtIs41SZX
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The two birds chirped on, telling me that the others will be here soon. They went on to join the other birds peaking and pulling at Lord Vandell’s robe. He’s having a hard time dealing with them.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwn8MTFxDf
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"Diana!" came a voice behind me. I turned and saw Ariana with the nurse who had visited my room this morning.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFysYcrWUhl
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fweYhFXI5
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"I’m good, he just knocked me out cold, that’s all," she said. Her eyes turned to the flock of birds bullying Lord Vandell. "He can stay there for a while. He can’t use his powers on them. That’s if he wants Her Highness to break him."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFBIgCW36P
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I winced. "She can do that?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDihMdKkY6
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWRgfjkzuS
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"Diana, you're hurt," said the nurse. She quickly rushed over to me and knelt at my feet, lifting my dress a little higher. I then remembered that I had fallen to the ground earlier and had a cut on the knee. A stream of blood trickled down my leg.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMjYXC3sur
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"I actually fell thanks to Lord Vandell," I said. Now that I think about it, my whole body ached like hell. I’m not completely healed and I had to do a lot of running, hence stressing all my muscles again.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k8y8vuxOk
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl0j0i5eaB
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"How did he get you?" I asked. The nurse cleaned my wound first. Apparently, she carried some ointment in the pocket of her apron in a tiny brown bottle. My wound stung when she applied it.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO6F4zfDbx
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"After your bath when you went to your room and I remained in the bathroom," Ariana explained. "He knocked me out. I didn’t see him coming."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkJDYIk6jP
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The birds continued to attack Lord Vandell, who kept yelling at them to get away. Ariana came closer and drew out her hand. The birds in an instant left him alone and flew away. He's in such a mess. His hair is all over the place and the birds had torn through parts of his robes that he almost looked like a beggar in rags. Not forgetting that some birds had angrily pecked at his face, leaving a few cuts and bruises.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu6ufx5IK7
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nyks4B9pC
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzJOt3DwW7
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Lord Vandell chuckled. He sounded like he’s about to lose it. The birds must have messed him up. I should've told them to go a little easy on him.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTSScnMODk
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"And how sure are you that you won't call the birds to attack me again?" he asked, looking at me.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP6CuSr1cm
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Even when Ariana had her eyes on him, I could feel her stare through the corner of her eye. She must be surprised by this too. Or not.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjMPNtqkmJ
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"I didn't tell the birds to attack you," I lied. "They obviously sensed that something's wrong and came to my rescue."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjRV5G5XTP
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa4CWPIQtW
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Kz58fM8P9
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONc1Z36isH
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He straightened himself up and even in the state he is in, he looked like he had some ounce of dignity left. He also didn't seem bothered that he had been attacked by angry birds.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rGTv0ktuc
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"Tell me, Ariana," he said, as his dark eyes fell on her. "When were you going to tell us about this treasure you've found?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxvKz3g5XK
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His eyes were now on me. And what did he mean by "we?" Who else isn't supposed to know about my whereabouts?214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9iuwuyuTM
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENfwC2egdl
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I turned around and the nurse who had been attending to my wound, stood upright to see Ryan and Stella come towards us. Looks like they teleported themselves here.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC3Hrb885Q
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAawTL6YOzv
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdTTwlOpaR
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR7HdWKIE4
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"You committed a terrible offense, Lord Vandell," said Ryan. "Her Highness strictly didn't want anyone on this side of the castle, and you knew that."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvslSoiOLST
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Lord Vandell scoffed. "Her Highness and all of you in the High Order really think you can do whatever you like around here. So what’s the use of keeping her hidden? You do know, everyone's talking about her, right?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WdEbl9uZs
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I now remember what Raisa told me. I know I'm already a rumour, but he must have heard something specific from someone about me.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNvSynBtHL
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWQAOH4CYe
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRUd8pdUfm
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I felt the mood around me change. I could tell Stella, Ryan, Ariana were just as surprised as I am, but did well not to show it. He was there?214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0eYQEI2h7
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4CyeumY6f
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Lord Vandell scoffed. "I know the Butterfly Order rests their hope and trust in you, but why keep this girl hidden from the rest of us? Is there something about her that we don’t know about that you want to keep her all to yourself?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp8fqXrlwZ
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCZrvM56Hb
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"Keep on thinking like that, and you will regret that you ever did," said Stella. I hear her walk up to me and the next thing I know, she’s grabbing my shoulder. "We need to go, Diana."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI7wAYfnii
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"Where do you think you’re going with her?" Lord Vandell asked as soon as Stella and I turned around. "You aren’t taking her anywhere."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNppH6ShIde
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"She’s our responsibility, Lord Vandell," said Stella as she turned to look at him. "We know what we’re doing, and she’s not coming with you."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0byw7OoqSR
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lLePZOuFs
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFtnnk3ri8
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"Watch your tongue, Ryan," said Lord Vandell, sounding serious. His voice could scare even the smallest of animals away. Even I felt terrified. "It’s not my fault that you were all careless."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSRzRfrask
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm2DD39aMO
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCAoieKF4M
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I felt the air grow tense that I couldn’t even move. The hairs at the back of my neck stood. Something is about to happen, but what could-?214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DRXBHNMRQ
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Something suddenly ran past me, and I didn’t realise what’s going on until I saw Ryan stand behind Lord Vandell who is now on his knees. What just happened? How did Ryan get there so fast?214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQznyL4RaF
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"I’ve had enough of you talking," Ryan said, looking down at Lord Vandell, holding him down with his hand on Lord Vandell’s shoulder.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlKnLuF8CP
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iXlekPl9e
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"Ariana, Stella, take Diana away," said Ryan as he looked at his colleagues. "I think she has seen enough for one day."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF2Z0e8ngi
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wIg8MB75x
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ol8vtJxjZ
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dmfJmCvUb
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I started to walk away alongside Stella, with the nurse and Ariana joining behind us. Lord Vandell continued to yell not to take me away and that he would burn this place to the ground if he had to. Could he do it?214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82ogARgyYt
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I turned to look at Stella and she looked pretty upset. Maybe it’s best I don’t say anything for the time being.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWOwwsZZtn
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDj2CIp7rn
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPxa4xoaaB
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS38iyZNB9b
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9ZIbIEEW4
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwm149x8N4
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Lord Vandell did mention something about people finding out about me. There are already people who know. But there are others, who just like Lord Vandell, know more. I wonder who they could be.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDT887ALBj
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Lord Vandell’s yapping continued behind us, but soon enough, he became quiet. I don’t know what Ryan has done to him, but when I turned my head to look, it’s like they had vanished in thin air. I can’t help but worry about how fast Ryan is. Should I? Probably in the future.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD6NffX4DV
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3lPvWv4mF
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"Definitely not," Stella agreed. "If things turn out like this, we might be forced to bring Diana out to the public."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3rmaVXALP
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"May I ask why you’ve kept me hidden if you didn’t want this to happen?" I ended up asking.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5zLCvTo92
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Stella didn’t say anything, her eyes still not meeting mine. I could feel her body grow tense. I’m really dying to know why all this is happening. What is it about me that they don’t want me getting exposed to the public?214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OXhWdMq4v
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I turned to look at Ariana, and she had the same expression as Stella’s. For how long are they going to be quiet?214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNpPiSrgfc
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBggdv7c5cL
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"Aren’t we all?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "I might not know much about this place, but I can tell a lot of people have special abilities like you do. How am I any special?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JatZyBG6O
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZGiedAQ6k
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I shook my head. "I still don’t understand, Stella. How can I be ‘that special?' I’m just an ordinary human being who happened to develop some mysterious abilities uncommon to our kind, like you guys."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbydH2qNLJ
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"True," she stopped walking to look at me. The rest of us did the same. "But you met Death, and that’s a whole different story."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeeX0aAOkZ
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"What does Death have to do with all of this? Big deal, I got lucky and managed to live for another day. Don’t people meet Death and some of them happen to survive by circumstance? I just happen to be one of them."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48bSnQB6ud
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"But have you ever heard of anyone meeting Death and not only do they get out of his grasp alive, but develop abilities?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6li4us8YV1
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmzm40OWpo
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"You’ll only understand what she means when you start training," said Ariana. "You’re different from a lot of the recruits we’ve seen so far."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuXQlLL1w0
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I wanted to protest some more, but it isn’t the first time I’ve heard all this. The first time Her Highness and I met, she talked about my encounter with Death. I should wait and see what they mean during training.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYtqcRQCoG
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I looked ahead and didn’t realise we were only a few feet away from the castle with the carriage still waiting there. Looks like I'm not going to ride in it today.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirfH9DAhO1
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"Make sure Diana is attended to," Stella said to the nurse behind her. "Ariana and I have to sort something out around the castle."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH0biU1lXw
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmYERKDnLB
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IwPI9HZZJ
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Ariana sounded serious. I wonder what she means by that. Will they put up more security? I glance at the gate in a distance. Lord Vandell was able to take down the guards. Maybe they have other forms of security I’m yet to know about.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpz3Gy71Lt
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I make my way to the short stone steps with the nurse walking beside. As I walked up the stone steps, I felt the air change all of a sudden. The ground below rumbled a little. I looked above and it felt like the whole place has been surrounded by an invisible barrier. I quickly look behind me and find Ariana and Stella by the foot of the stairs with Ariana on one knee with both of her hands placed palm first onto the ground. I notice a line of runes appear on the ground in glowing yellow, surrounding the whole castle.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF8FNMC51E
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"Nothing to be scared of, Diana," said Stella as Ariana stood upright, the runes on the ground soon disappeared, but the presence of the barrier remained. "This is just a protective barrier to keep you safe. We’ll come check on you once we’re finished."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJiQWhf3Im
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEWneFkuDr
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Ariana and Stella turned around and walked back the way they came. I watch them go before turning around to head back in the castle. Surprisingly, Bob is standing in the open doorway. How did he get here? I didn’t even feel his presence.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1f78eeZ9s
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"I had a backup plan if things weren’t going to go as planned," he said. "You’ll still start your lessons today."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoXVjwobA0
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I don’t know whether to feel excited about it or just keep it cool. Starting my training will be good for me to try and forget what happened just now.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYRrbacVmF
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaXJeo7Dud
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqYlFFP0NW
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkWGJSldWN
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds1HZo0DrU
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"Birds, what birds?" I quickly asked. I’m careful enough not to stammer. I’ve to choose my words carefully. "What about them?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXvCCLZkws
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"Did you summon them?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VNm9F6IHU
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknwSuNSnk6
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"Don’t try to pretend with me, Diana." The corner of his mouth raised to a smile. "One of the recruits who was with you yesterday told me that you can understand the birds."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT85aWfwNyJ
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There is no hiding from that. I should’ve warned the recruits not to say anything. But they don’t know me and I don’t know them, so I’m not surprised that they reported this.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkcP3HHiQB
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1OMHmAcr2
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Bob continued to look at me before turning around and walking through the door. "Understanding creatures is a great ability," he said. "But people don’t develop it right there and then. They only do so after training. You, on the other hand, already have an understanding for them. That just shows you really are something."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1TSbmHGCZ
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I'm not ready for this speech again as I quickly said, "we’ll see about that, won’t we? I’ve been lucky and quite fortunate so far. My training will reveal if there’s anything special about me."214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoUIZfIDUR
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Bob slightly tilted his head to the side as I started to follow him inside the castle. "If it’s your destiny, Diana, you simply can’t run away from it," he said.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg0WjdY9VY
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His words got to me and I stopped in my tracks. Could he be right? I didn’t want this to begin with. I was meant to die that day, but I didn’t. I don’t know how I survived. Now all this is happening because of that encounter. Was all this meant to happen? And if that is the case, for what?214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsib1crLD0
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QO71qtgb2
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"Of course," I said as Bob went up the flight of stairs. The nurse and I followed behind him at a slow pace.214Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpsmTiOI0G
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It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.
Penana
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