I noticed a difference in my surroundings as soon as I regained consciousness. Instead of the cold, hard stone of the bridge, I felt warm, thick grass underneath me. There was a soft yellow light coming from somewhere to my left. I could hear leaves rustling in a gentle breeze. It felt slightly humid. Where am I?610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FImZDEJFh
I opened my eyes. All the colors of the rainbow met in perfect harmony, from the emerald grass and azure sky to the red, orange, and yellow of the blooming flowers and the indigo and emerald of five -
"Occamies," I whispered, astounded. Fragments of their silver shells surrounded them, glittering in the light. So I had heard an occamy! Remembering the erumpet, I wondered, What other creatures are here in New York?
I slowly spun, taking in my surroundings. I saw a desert landscape, which was where the light was coming from. Behind me was a dark, wintery area. I was in a forest. All these areas were joined, so that all you had to do to access another was take a short walk. I thought of my lover - he'd once had something like this prepared for all the beasts that he would have been studying, and it was in a magically expanded suitcase. Had the wizard who had prepared this done something similar? For it was quite obvious now that I was very deep in a very magical situation. So much for trying to escape from magic.
"Oh, you're awake," said a voice from behind me.
Startled, I turned to see who had spoken. It was a rather chubby man. He had dark, wavy hair and a well-trimmed mustache. His suit may have seen better days, but he appeared to be one who cared about his appearance. "Who are you?" I asked.
Before he could answer, another voice called, "Jacob? Where've you gone off to?"
My heart leapt, then double its normal pace. I knew that voice! But how could it be his?
"The girl's awake, we were just chatting," replied Jacob.
Then I saw him. He was saying, "Oh, good. Now we can check on the thunder-"
"Newt!" I interrupted with a joyful shriek. I ran to him, squeezing him in a tight embrace. "Oh, Newt! You're okay! Where have you been, darling? Why didn't you ever write to me?" I was sobbing now, I was so happy. Yet I was also so confused. How was he alive?
Newt also appeared confused, but he also seemed amused at my affections - I had started kissing his cheeks, forehead, mouth, everywhere I could. "Rayn, what are you talking about?" he chuckled. "I told you where I was going. And I have been writing to you, at least once a week."
"John told me you were dead. I haven't gotten any letters, either." This struck me as odd. Why wouldn't I have gotten any of Newt's letters if he had been sending them?
Newt's face became serious. "When did he tell you that?"
"Last November. He said that you'd died trying to capture a thunderbird to take to Arizona."
Newt shook his head. "That expedition was successful, and I told him so. That was in one of the first letters I tried to send to you. It seems strange that you wouldn't have received any of them. It is disturbing that John told you that I died, as well."
That it was. John had been a close friend to Newt for years. I didn't know him as well as Newt, but we had all been in Hufflepuff together, so I still knew him well enough to call him my friend. Then an even more disturbing thought came to me - had John been intercepting Newt's letters to me? What reason could he possibly have for doing any of this?
Newt touched his hand to my face. "Zarayna," he sighed. "I am so sorry that he did this to you. This last year must have been so hard for you."
I returned the touch. "It's been heartbreaking. I roamed the country before I finally decided to come to America to escape all memories of you. And by some coincidence you caught up."
"Nothing is ever coincidence, especially where love is concerned." He kissed me lightly on the lips, lingering for a handful of seconds.
Just as he was pulling away, I heard a noise like a knock. "What's that?"
"Not sure. Tina probably found the case and is just making sure it's us. I'll go up with Jacob and check. You stay here, I'll come back for you."
"At least let me walk with you."
He did. I followed him to the ladder that led out of the case, then watched them ascend. When they had climbed out, I heard an authoritative voice say, "Well, Miss Goldstein, who are they?"610Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBRIMxroHs
