Five years ago400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqPknMGjkT
Mpunde Girls Secondary School400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsbdNqFAAX
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3TQm2cBdG
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mvVbwOCiq
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I groaned as I lazily sat up in bed. The morning bell hadn't rang yet and I noticed that almost everyone in the dorm were on their bunk beds, fast asleep. The good thing about Saturdays is that we get to wake up an hour late from the usual time. I looked out of the window across the room and saw the sun slowing rising up to the east. It's only a matter of time before one of the prefects sounds the morning bell. I better get up and head for the showers when there's still time.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDk2I9s9xV
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I got out of bed on the down bunk and stood. I looked at Christine on the top bunk, sound asleep. She has a weird way of sleeping with her arms over her head and one foot out of the covers, dangling over the edge of the bed. I always had to be careful when getting up from the down bunk because of it.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEb9qN7Ekg
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I wore my slippers and started to make my bed. At the far end of the room, I heard the noisy creak of a bunk. Someone's up early too. I soon heard the sound of slippers and I turned to look down the aisle. It's Chileshe, our dorm prefect.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLBnws0WVQ
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She stretched out her arms as she stood next to my bed. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she looked at me.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDs4mF766w
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"You're up early," she said and yawned afterwards.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPQ3p3uSuI
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"Yes, I am," I said as I folded the ends of the bed cover under the mattress. "How are you this morning?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt0qcNmbRf
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Chileshe had her hands on her hips as she arched her back, stretching.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH3jKFGmDd
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"Ah, my body is aching because of sports," she answered. "And my legs feel like l've been wearing rocks for shoes."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEzVqach76
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"Ya, I get the feeling," I said as I smiled at her. It's funny how I didn't feel my body ache so much like it always does after sports.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FaWuwfG9Q
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc78ONFAhn
Chileshe yawned again and this time she tried to cover her mouth. She continued her way down the aisle for the door.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiQqmj1QCj
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"I feel old already," I heard her mutter. I smiled at her as she walked away.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLP0lGHdTm
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak5wKQkRvO
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU74QET6dx
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I straigthened up and noticed Christine move. I thought she was going to wake up, but she didn't. It's best not to disturb her. She didn't like to be disturbed on a weekend when she at least had an extra hour of sleep.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOcGRMgXVL
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuLYG9kko0
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?400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDSmGN1MMS
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I ignored it and walked down the aisle, heading out of the dorm.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7OtJJkGKs
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When I stepped out, the first thing that caught my attention was the sunlight hitting the green leaves of the two trees on the lawns. A slight breeze blew past and the leaves swayed as though dancing to the soft tune of the wind. The whole dorm area is quiet. It felt exotic just to experience this moment of peace.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcWOsGPz5c
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTdE5YyFOD
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiscmXMXa68
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I found myself outside the ablution. I had to fetch water first in the bucket outside the ablution building.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w7qmkHHSa
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The tap area was empty. I placed my bucket under one of the taps to draw water, then went inside the ablution. The place was cold and silent. It won't be long until the aisle gets flooded. I tried not to think about it as I went over to the sinks to brush my teeth.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HA0qtqCyf
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vuSBhHpVe
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTIp7TLOkp
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I hadn't heard any footsteps.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHrsDX3Yut
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I fully turned around to look behind me and I saw no one standing in the aisle. This is creepy. I couldn't even tell which door opened because most of the doors to the shower and toilet cubicles were either closed or opened. Some of them stood slightly ajar. I'm freaking out for no reason. Maybe one of the doors flew open due to the wind. The funny thing is, I never felt any breeze pass through the door the whole time I was in here.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UxNU9Linb
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I walked out of the ablution not thinking too much about it. These things happen. The last thing I want is to think about ghosts and what not.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDae5RDi09m
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Outside the tap area, I found my bucket overflowing with water and I quickly closed the tap. Soon enough, Chileshe walked out of the ablution.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPIS2qmxAx
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixq5nzZ0Xs
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHsIkx8RfR
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LDbLqvDGJ
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhPs9zGnl5
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I hummed to myself a familiar song. It's nice to have the entire ablution to yourself sometimes. You get to make as much noise as you want. It sometimes reminds me of how much noise I would make back home in the bathroom.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQckp6gor1
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As I poured water all over my body, I thought I heard a noise outside the shower cubicle.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY8EJ1u7k1
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I stopped what I was doing to hear, but after a long quiet pause, I continued to bathe.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubXTI3Eqz9
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Within a few minutes, I heard the faint sound of the metal bell being hit. It's time for the whole school to wake up. I'm already done with my bath. I wrapped and tied the bath towel around my body, poured away the remaining water in the bucket and stepped out of the cubicle. I heard the faint sound of footsteps outside, and I knew some girls were making their way to the ablution.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20zGNqN3uT
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I'm about to head out, when I hear something fall to the floor with a loud thud. I looked down the aisle. It felt like the noise came from the far end of the ablution.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTVDNg1BwO
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Should I go and check it out, I ask myself. I don't think it's anything to worry about. I decide to go out when the door to the ablution soon shut itself in front of me. I stare at it, startled. Did it just close in on itself? There was no one standing outside to have done so.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWdj2kT3eJ
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I turned back to look at the far end of the ablution and soon, the whole place grew colder than usual. The hair at the back of my neck stood up. I felt a sudden presence hiding behind the corner of the last shower cubicle, their breathing echoing around the ablution. Or was it just me?400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoeKWnBbQq
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpKd520cYl
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlUsNAOyCL
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The day I met Death.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrxcZ2PbnQ
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I took a step back and found myself hitting my back onto the sink that was now icy cold. I looked around and noticed the place slowly getting covered in ice. I started to shiver like crazy now. Did Death finally catch up to me like he said he would? Was this really the end for me?400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2bfFM3xXJ
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The floor beneath was covered with ice and I shivered like hell. If Death really is here, he would have faced me like he did before. Why isn't he doing so now?400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G0VI2xRd6
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The breathing continued at the far end and I thought, if he isn't going to face me, I better go to him, ending this once and for all.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcCFbioN09
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YYs6HLMmc
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc58Fzd9h8
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Where am I? Snow and pine trees? What is this place? How did I get here?400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Udmxz6fAz
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObauDRoMMj
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y0bBwjSum
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I held out my hand and a few snowflakes fell onto my open palm. It was then that I noticed my hands were very pale. I remembered the day I met Death. I was just as cold as this, but there wasn't any snow or trees around.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YMVBw5AGA
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The deep breathing I heard earlier caught my attention again, and I followed the noise. Maybe if I found whoever is there, they might help me out. If I stayed out here like this in only a towel and slippers, I'll freeze to death. Now that surely would be the end of me.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYwnYS9cnu
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The pine trees were neatly lined up on either side, and I continued to walk down the aisle to whoever was straight ahead. It's a pity I couldn't move fast enough with all the thick snow at my feet, slowing me down. Not to mention my legs were growing numb due to the cold that moving them felt like I had stones tied around my feet.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFH5WlnPzgt
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The person's breathing grew louder and within minutes, I found myself at the end of the aisle where the line of trees ended. And in front of me stood a vast land of snow, covering the ground for hundreds of miles.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVayUE5EaQ
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I continued to look onwards hoping to see if there were any buildings nearby or a few trees like the ones behind me, but no luck.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdQk8U3OQV
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I shivered and I continued to breath heavily. My lungs were getting affected by the cold. Now I see why people in the Northern Hemisphere who experience snow get to wear a lot of warm clothes. I am in dire need of them right now.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOmRLil79D
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT708tx5E98
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5awGoUCzd1
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"Hello?" I called out as I slowly approached.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn1IqIUlwb
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The person didn't respond and I noticed that the person wore a black hood over their head. I stopped for moment, thinking that I've stumbled upon Death while he's asleep. But then, I realised that the person under the hood is human. Death wouldn't be leaning against a tree in the middle of nowhere taking a nap, would he?400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoPhVhRbZ0
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I slowly continued my approach and was within arms length. I stretched out my cold, shivering hand to hold the person's shoulder and try to wake them up.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaMIGiwnkJ
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Just when my fingers were inches away, the person's left hand wrapped in a black glove, abruptly held my hand by the wrist. I gasped in fright and my heart beat quickened. I tried to back away, but the grip on my wrist tightened all the more that I felt my bone would snap.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzHB24FuhS
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"Aargh!" I yelled, trying to pull away, but to no avail.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCADCVRsK85
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The person hadn't even flinched and I wondered what could be running through his or her mind right now. By the grip around my wrist, I could tell this person is strong, and very dangerous.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZydAWppiq
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"Let me go, you're hurting me!" I yelled.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmOymLJxjQ
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The hand tightened again and this time, the pain was excruciating that I fell to my knees in the snow, yelling in pain. My bone is on the verge of snapping for sure.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tAlG9YSmh
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"What are you doing? Let me go!"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB85VURcbb
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The person finally moved, turning their head slightly just to look at me. I still couldn't make out a face because the person had a black mask covering the lower half of their face, and I couldn't make out the eyes.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DtG9oqbTJ
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My other hand held on to the top of my towel, stopping it from falling. It would be embarrassing if it did and the person in front of me turns out to be a man. But that meant I couldn't even try to defend myself with my other hand held in a tight grip.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizaUwijnWy
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"Please, let me go," I pleaded. My knees were buried deep into the snow and that made me freeze all the more.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhURgIy52Vp
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"What are you doing here?" the person asked in a female voice.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHfJNwfaW8
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I paused. The person is a she. I tried to say something but my mouth couldn't produce any words. There was something about her that made me shake even more.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc4MR5pmcU
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"I asked what you're doing here? You're not supposed to be here."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDKmKXXx01
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"I-I," I stuttered. "I just found myself here. I..., I don't know how I got here."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxsvPtOcQo
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"Leave," she said as she pushed my hand away with so much force that I nearly fell in the snow on my side. I quickly held my aching wrist.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V94ApXm6E
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxYKT7zNHV
"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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg57LD5MsXb
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The person moved her head again like she was staring at the clouds up above. "This place isn't meant for you."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmdyZMgcQ2
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"Yes, I can see that," I nervously chuckled. I stopped when she didn't say anything.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yPnQ7Dnfb
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"Tell me how to get back," I said. "I can't stay here much longer."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHtkMFke0j
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"I can't help you," the woman replied, still looking upwards. "You'll have to figure it out on your own."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fTZk2mtsq
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnzTy6xcSD
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h53SBxumt
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"How am I supposed to get back when I don't even know how I got here?" I asked.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmUkVglMP7
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlFtDEPIOL
"Like I said, you'll figure it out on your own," the woman said as she slowly started to walk away.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrJGCtqTC0
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"Wait, don't go," I called out to her as I stood up from the snow. I could feel my body freeze all over and I stared at my fingers. The cold was getting to me for sure. My fingers were numb and slowly starting to swell. The thought of them turning black due to frost bite terrified me.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWwLC4qIMg
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Soon, my body gave in and I found myself falling back onto the snow on my knees. What's happening to me?400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvXrAVECrT
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I looked up at the woman slowly walking away into a vast emptiness ahead. There was a cold breeze and I knew I wasn't going to last much longer.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhgQqdguyH
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"Please...," I said, my teeth starting to clatter against each other. "Help..., me."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyiUxQJten
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The woman stopped walking and she slowly turned around to face me. What is she going to do? I couldn't read her intentions, not when I can't see her eyes under the hood.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8id79sMVAK
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All of a sudden, she came at me, fast. I didn't have time to react as I felt her hand around my neck.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDTxARANiZ
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This time, she was close enough that I saw her eyes. They glowed a bright terrifying red, like that of a monster. I held her hand around my neck trying to push it away. She held me tight just like she did before, and she slowly brought me closer to her face. I could feel something strange from her, cold and dangerous that it would scare anyone away. I wonder why I didn't feel it earlier. It felt oddly familiar.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMBtc5mGku
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"Whatever you do, don't you ever, ever come back here!" she yelled at me. "At least try not to."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXmoivtMLw
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGI18MTUp97
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKSIIYuVdz
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgI3OPCAM3
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SP8kUSzd8
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVao8pwFo62
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qZlIem8aG
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi1hbQXBRn
I open my eyes, finding myself back in the ablution near the sinks close to the now open door.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjMn4glZlB
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw88uw57Xx
I start to look around. Where is all the snow and the trees? The woman? Am I really back? But how?400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7IJKYX9iX
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24hc4hul6D
The ablution still remained empty with only me inside. Hadn't the morning bell rang? Where is everyone?400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWwPsZoJbW
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7CEcoN4vd
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0Q0mvBPs3
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1pAnB7SYw
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?400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoljQgw2bMJ
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo3IYuKyRe
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4CmiEYyvm
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES8EmZ78qe
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZP0OBQEWG
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAPhXbRPXy
"Wake up, you," I said as I came to our bunk and gently slapped her on the cheek.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2FELJp5Te
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMZoIlUvYf
"Awwh, Diana!" she protested as she turned around to face the other side.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg91iD69yi
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHplgjADyvS
"You're forgetting that today is Saturday," I said as I went to the other side of the bunk to get dressed.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6osYIpmCC
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkumeAQ3wek
"You said it yourself. It's Saturday."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdcmluayaA
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UBH03pnRJ
"It's inspection day."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGulJUfG4G
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pIWgj7mib
She quickly sat up on her elbow to look at me. "I thought inspection is tomorrow."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o9BotG0QV
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXkc5eG9ej
"Inspection day last week was on a Sunday."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYazvWPMBP
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsyMbPvGl0
"Ahhh!" she muttered as she fell back in the covers. "Now I really need to get up."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA351fSCR4s
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU0SnkwqaW
"You surely do."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUacZviOAQR
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYv2hdNJd2
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltiNzYspUp
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L3kAvv4sM
"How come you managed to bath so early?" she asked.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKBTBO4f3X
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt4fWcNLsb
"I woke up early," I answered as I opened my suitcase to get my lotion.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5Rnjekl2Z
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBecznltE0a
"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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ByUWeiY6z
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39n1KXxZMr
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntYxlF9mXv
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugWTi9GiA8
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z1xjozs2N
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ6QPM3EtG
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?400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlQUyPUtwQ
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcyIjbL9PZ
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRavz2wBsbi
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HBTe0ahte
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKTUhuB7rz
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdZCByJkFn
"Morning, Diana," said Chisha.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd71V8Mms4
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmzcvvVuEs
"Morning," I said.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUwj493Rc8
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkaq5cTugI
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueCT4stTCC
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLVg9yMB5Z
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo8FSc1SoA
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg44aFVD6rv
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UcotuJMek
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFFz0tLEko
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYpJ48RQd5
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7pjotwPgN
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdrYKDMe7q
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCKKeMpxlR
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE61FVL9jnZ
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSu7mS1Mb9
I turned around. There's nobody there. Strange.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocLiW6KuyS
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz3x105ijm
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcQJKra7MI
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqAWW2uWSG
"Ouch," I muttered, holding my nose. My eyes started to water because of the pain.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSo2AkZqdJ
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDeYlC02Q6
"You really should be looking where you're going," came a male voice in front of me.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmla1xBXJkd
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj3SzMIal9
I opened my watery eyes and the first thing that caught my eye was a purple cloak.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2sYzwENLz
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluuNaMrZU9
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYltcUpSsK
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iSsrRtUws
His mouth raised up into a smile. A corky one for that matter.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDZRNECvSV
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5ssDiITtE
"You're the man from yesterday," I said, still holding my nose.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAi6ZRG9Hd
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxURX2MQLR
"Yes, I am," he said. "You probably don't know my name. I'm Ryan. I see you got my signal."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnoNagm1g4
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCQYfdP8zT
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiVS7m9gH5
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfAmAoxiY3
"Wait..., what signal?" I asked.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TZ1A0OeEm
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9XefjKUjf
"You didn't feel anything strange back in your room?" he asked with a worrying look on his face.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhNSKLgD39
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe1lLSpb0c
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumnI6OHyzf
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlUaS3Tb6k
"If we're done with introductions," he said, "let's get going."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxjQ5bnqO4
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUy9liuVyG
"Wait, you're taking me with you right now?" I asked just when he was about to turn around and lead the way.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHwukW6GzC
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuyYpb6ThV
"That was the agreement, wasn't it?" he asked with his eyebrow raised.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudUbWGvY4r
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlA7yBfUP1
"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?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY2rJ7EDsd
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOoKY7VGFJ
He gave me a serious look and I regretted saying that. He had his hands cupped before him, obviously contemplating about who knows what.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0vEn5TSsq
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6xiR74GPP
"Didn't we agree that your training starts today?" he asked.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhqJTD6qMw
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogUJz8Na6i
"If you think about it, you ordered that training starts today. I practically didn't agree on anything."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIemn20rRzm
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkFVq2adDj
"Don't try to wiggle your way out of this, Diana." He leaned closer. "Your training is of utmost importance."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ804fjG8a5j
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla92Plsv82
"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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRoNsg8H6P
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Salo8snyx
"We know you don't understand what's going on and that's why we want to help you."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbrnwOrFWz
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVesNue7yD
"Oh, really? And how is this 'training' going to help me?" This time I raised my eyebrow at him.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4K2xXtjDC
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DqELtpXma
"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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiwIDAF8ga
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9ccqsQyCV
"Is it physical? Am I going to learn some kind of skill?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNc03oQ3wU
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8DEYikP4I
"All these questions are going to make my head ache." He straightened himself. "Come on, we better hurry."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsFcH6VdWk
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nqYRCR83S
"Wait a minute," I said, stopping him from turning around again.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mSb9Fkj9K
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUV6bTPLag
"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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDFUAAdETK
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs1qWH4rpn
"I've my duties to do first and there's breakfast that I can't miss. Also-"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNuaC13VmK
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1Opj1wHbD
"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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIEOw1Rnlb
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhxozETI2B
"Are you sure? I may not be the most popular girl around, but I've friends that will notice that I'm not here."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfhFCKhzqq
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEwsN0SMlW
"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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB3z8A6D2d
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ269ADYA8Pq
"Oh..., this training is physical, then?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtx3yfUeO0
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡculYIP3QYV
"You'll see when we get there. Can we please go now?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a5Z5Oal05
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47YjCw8CAz
"Well..., alright." I dropped the broom onto the ground.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstm5hfbk1S
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIW0waEoLP
"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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiEaQbgT9G
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Cajd12Vzl
"I hope it won't come to that," I answered as he lead the way behind the garage.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NoYhoIgak
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TZ2tTPPD6
I heard him scoff. "Some day you'll."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLYxaHD41p
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLazhBCSXc
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbUXPCpzM4
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkUcYfRTto
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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcc1zSl5nm
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHhsrfBJb6
"What are you doing?" I asked, surprised that someone like him would graffiti the wall. "That's not allowed."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbNM3Fe7gW
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49G95eMKq8
"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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2GLM6KnSd
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4umI3bNIX
"How is drawing going to take us where we need to go?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0U4zxlaOQ
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SrltJ7QkA
"Already full of questions, huh?" Ryan asked as he finished drawing a full round circle, almost his height. "Don't you watch fantasy movies?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpKluR8FAE
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80FGqNToiI
"Of course I watch fantasy movies," I said, upset with him questioning me about such. If anything, I am a big fan of fantasy.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiYFknYIA6
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaJZHkHE9C
"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?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WH1raUw8l
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdalNm0nIA
"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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3BCbH3ydD
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRJR66Svks
"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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICNtGBamqN
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoed475yh6
"So this drawing will lead us to the island?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnevseQX7m
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3JEGOov7G
"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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dsNdQxAv4
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe1WXuYstN
"What is it?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2Ze9BOndX
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhxiO0xjKT
"How to use it. It's not some ordinary drawing. You need to activate it for it to act as a doorway."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8R1gDHxxA
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE1HVjtjug
"How do you activate it?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx6P6nfrrl
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkY5fo3yNy
"By a chant." He turned to look at me.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoZg6PJhHS
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqMqY9pZPZ
"A chant? Meaning I've to say something?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoijEztDzVv
400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINdDZ7eek0
"Yes. The bad part is, you don't know the language yet."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio3zDVTDQR
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"Oh..., that language," I muttered as I remembered the writings I saw on the doorway of the Butterfly Temple.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkgSCDVJDY
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"Don't worry, it isn't as hard as you think." Ryan beamed at me.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeGWe3sEjy
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"Easy for you to say. I've the man in green teaching it to me."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlTxjC5bz6
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"He's a handful, but Bob isn't that bad when you get to know him."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWTu5DDbvE
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"I beg to differ," I quietly muttered to myself as Ryan turned to look back at the drawing.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikuZYJyBrw
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"Okay, we better get going."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuPnpqNs3K
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Ryan stretched out his hand and laid it on the drawing. He soon started to chant in a strange language I had never heard before. The air around started to change. It was getting warmer and I noticed the drawing on the wall start to glow.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxQumNoE8S
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Ryan stopped chanting and dropped his hand. Soon enough, the glow from the drawing had also died down. For a moment, I thought the wall would part in half revealing the other side, but so far, there was no change.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlCb8IGUYD
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"Is that it?" I asked Ryan.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Gzt9cgp7u
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"That is it," he said as he turned his head to look at me. "All we've to do is walk through." He pressed his hand onto the wall where the drawing was and it went right through.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGO9yRzZH5
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"Wow. But wait..., won't someone find the drawing and get dragged in by accident?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEjUcpft7a
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"That's a good question. No, they won't be able to see the drawing because I've concealed it from human eyes and from supernatural creatures, except you, of course. And don't worry, if anyone were to find themselves leaning on this part of the wall, they won't get dragged in."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOctsyuKPNc
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"So, I can use this doorway from now on to get to the island, right? Does that mean I can come visit whenever I want?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvkflsHqHI
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Ryan smacked his lips, and I realized that I wasn't going to like his answer.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMNiSdhUJe
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"For now, the doorway will open only when you're summoned for training. Until you learn the language, I'm afraid you can't come and go as you please."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoEP5Rk7Rw
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"But what if there's an emergency here and I need your help?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiFX2HLJiu
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"Don't worry, there's something for that too. I'll tell you about it later. Right now, we've to get moving."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPO9zX9WKw
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"Okay." I slumped my shoulders. Learning can sometimes be a pain, but something told me I might like what I'll learn at the island, even though it might take a toll on me.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtm5OGtGnl
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Ryan lead the way by walking towards the drawing and went through the wall, disappearing out of sight. I swallowed as I also took a step forward. When I approached, I closed my eyes just in case I find myself hitting the solid wall instead. I took another step and I felt myself stepping into a whole different world. There was a warm feeling around me, like I've been wrapped in a warm blanket. When I continued going forward, the effect soon subsided and I knew I was in a whole different environment.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkEsOFFL15
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"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Ryan asked.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZA4yTCiVs
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I opened my eyes and I found myself in what looked like a lovely flower garden. I quickly turned to look behind me and there stood a bronze statue of the butterfly symbol. That's the other doorway Ryan was talking about, and it stood on a round stone dias.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wu2RxZCv5
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"Come on, we better get going," said Ryan. I quickly turned to see him walk down the steps of the dais to the stone aisle below. "The others are waiting for us."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CCIT7t5LQ
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I quickly rushed down to catch up to him towards what felt to me like an adventure.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiycxxfGCCB
