Five years ago479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSERj0j6tPN
Mpunde Girls Secondary School479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4by3cf5Mnc
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It's Saturday. Unlike other people, I now hate Saturdays. This is the one day I always got to enjoy when I was little, as it was one of the days that you don't get to go to school. You get to sleep late the night before and wake up whenever you felt like it. Now that I'm older and at a boarding school, Saturdays are almost like any other day of the week, especially when there's one thing happening that day: Inspection.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97vY8w6Bvw
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqowf8J4p7R
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOusoSpIUr
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCo2ucmj2G
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd4B2vZGdJ
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"You're up early," she said and yawned afterwards.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYgymfE8DK
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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?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83oKDTigxA
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Chileshe had her hands on her hips as she arched her back, stretching.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxC5wsafAn
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95yH6Etq6h
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpdmCUVUDp
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Chileshe yawned again and this time she tried to cover her mouth. She continued her way down the aisle for the door.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXVMX3mwdu
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"I feel old already," I heard her mutter. I smiled at her as she walked away.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnZPbnRRPy
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After making the bed, I changed out of my pyjamas and took my bath towel on top of the suitcase and covered my body with it. I fetched for my toothbrush and toothpaste in the suitcase. After unscrewing the toothpaste tube, I squeezed out a bit of paste and placed it atop the bristles of my toothbrush. After putting the toothpaste away, I went to the other side of the bed where the small locker was together with my bucket and Christine's piled over the other. I took my first towel behind the locker. It had tiny rails on three sides, making it easier for us to hang our things there. I placed the towel in the bucket and took my soap case in the locker, placing it in the bucket as well.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxGlAhCKkt
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZQdH4T96l
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With the toothbrush in my hand and the handle of my bucket in the other, I was ready to go for a bath. Just as I took a step into the aisle, I felt a weird sensation run through my neck. I froze for a minute, then turned around. I looked around the little space in between the bunk beds. I didn't seem to see anything unusual. My dorm mates on the next bunk were also fast asleep. What was that just now?479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMXEJHQvW8
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I ignored it and walked down the aisle, heading out of the dorm.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBmO3NbRsw
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MqexiasdV
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I took in the lovely fresh air and smiled to myself as I headed for the ablution behind the dorms. So far, I hadn't met anyone on the way. The whole school must be asleep with probably a few of us awake at this time.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDemw5XdY0N
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I found myself outside the ablution. I had to fetch water first in the bucket outside the ablution building.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIHu7ojECl
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lJzFxyILJ
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I ran my toothbrush a little under the open tap and placed it in my mouth. As I brushed, I heard one of the doors from either one of the shower cubicles or toilets draw open. I figured it must be Chileshe or somebody else. I spat out the toothpaste and rinsed with water. After spitting it out, I turned my head a little to see who is heading out of the ablution. But then, something struck my mind.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7B3k0Uo9P
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I hadn't heard any footsteps.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Uq22hAxgO
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1sc9VSc6W
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v1XRKqW1U
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9GdwR78MN
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I didn't say anything as she headed for the dorm area. Maybe it was her whom I had heard. I almost blew out a sigh of relief, but I soon realised that I had my toothbrush in between my teeth. The last thing I want is for it to drop to the ground. The tuck shop where we buy most of our necessities from rarely opens on the weekends.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTPY8xYpwb
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I went inside the ablution and got to the first shower cubicle. I swung the little wooden door open with my foot and stepped inside with the bucket and the soap case. Once I closed the door, I started to bath.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L79X4cu6m
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFcFnTjw8n
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As I poured water all over my body, I thought I heard a noise outside the shower cubicle.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUGfVXQHe6
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I stopped what I was doing to hear, but after a long quiet pause, I continued to bathe.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCaP03vMLx
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qHpRuL4M2
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk24HrZeqy
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFUoX3jyLh
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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?479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixPYgaVimw
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I started to rub my arms with my hands. The place felt like a freezer now. I breathed out through my mouth and saw cold mist lingering in the air before disappearing. What's going on here?
The deep breathing at the corner became much deeper this time. I wonder who could be behind there. Should I go and see who it is? The thought of doing so, made me freak out a little as I felt my heart start to beat faster. All this made me remember something that I wish I could forget.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4na5jd498
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The day I met Death.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Edv7kOrpH
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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?479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwM9xVbIJp
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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?479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7qxgu9cMA
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO8hUvgTZC
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I dropped my almost frozen bucket onto the icy floor and slowly walked down the aisle, shivering. As I walked, snow started to fall from the ceiling. I looked up and didn't see the tinned roof, but white clouds. I looked back down and it was then that I realised that I wasn't in the ablution. Where there was supposed to be a line of shower and toilet cubicles, stood a line of tall pine trees covered in snow.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcWyAfw5aT
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Where am I? Snow and pine trees? What is this place? How did I get here?479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKypMCDXZQM
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I stopped on my tracks and for a second, I forgot how cold I felt. I had never experienced snow before. I couldn't believe it. It never snows in Zambia. It never has. We do experience very cold winters in June and July, and sometimes during the rainy seasons. But it has never snowed before. I am definitely somewhere else.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtJVvbfprv
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTAaR5AkWe
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7t1gPcxTR
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ccnBzdSiZ
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSvjNfoi2a
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPScBPKZQZ
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIyoUQaV05
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I heard deep breathing again and I quickly looked to my left towards the last tree on the aisle. I saw a black cloth on the snow behind the tree. There was someone seated there on the snow with their back against the tree wrapped in a black cotton blanket or something. The head was tilted to the side that I couldn't see the person's face.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWEQun3BRp
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"Hello?" I called out as I slowly approached.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFheOP8vBr
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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?479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi34pY46Ma0
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5gExySSql
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy6Fbf1lxP
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"Aargh!" I yelled, trying to pull away, but to no avail.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbU0K9aPRv
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpHKzAKC72
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"Let me go, you're hurting me!" I yelled.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2NrJEkAYy
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0UAP6WicE
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"What are you doing? Let me go!"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbCVXcp80D
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlrK5jksk8
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYs8hq6LwN
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcTOf7GYa2
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"What are you doing here?" the person asked in a female voice.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOr3bgc20n
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBWOc2MMzD
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"I asked what you're doing here? You're not supposed to be here."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Evd1b9l0c
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"I-I," I stuttered. "I just found myself here. I..., I don't know how I got here."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgVqkrTR22
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3PnbsjSrJ
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"But I don't know how to get back," I said. I looked at my wrist. Where she had held me still ached. It also felt hot that I could see my skin redden despite how cold my body felt.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAnXvozDlF
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOotBxDw8I
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"Yes, I can see that," I nervously chuckled. I stopped when she didn't say anything.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q9RwER0zb
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"Tell me how to get back," I said. "I can't stay here much longer."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnlce4pSJM
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUO6HMYYTS
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She slowly stood up from where she sat and I realised that she had been sitting on a wooden plank. It was barely visible with all the snow around, slightly buried in it. Her black cloak almost reached her feet. I still couldn't see her face as she looked the other way.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXZqmO1B0T
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"How am I supposed to get back when I don't even know how I got here?" I asked.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOeYGDrK4I
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"Like I said, you'll figure it out on your own," the woman said as she slowly started to walk away.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzLQqLQ6mg
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhoBSCcDWF
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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?479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LLlsQSZIf
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd5JQ8xEwR
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"Please...," I said, my teeth starting to clatter against each other. "Help..., me."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0PNyJV1JB
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqC6PPx0q0
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpE3XXqGTY
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawN8jFshWO
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFrTet28d4
"Whatever you do, don't you ever, ever come back here!" she yelled at me. "At least try not to."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Om0OoXcJe
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z2vLcy9fv
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPOJMix0PD
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDiGmvKpMI
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm3QfQKcpb
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1mKetzwSG
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdHaLDhO6A
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzMlG0btvo
I open my eyes, finding myself back in the ablution near the sinks close to the now open door.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6tZrupILs
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWZXYF9r8j
I start to look around. Where is all the snow and the trees? The woman? Am I really back? But how?479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmUTz6kCM9
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz5o8erZ5D
The ablution still remained empty with only me inside. Hadn't the morning bell rang? Where is everyone?479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkdLGAvpWS
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihrCxnNuyU
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXpBRnoq9T
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYOcZZJYnc
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?479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2gyOlQtN8
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsc8W4QoFoV
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3XKmSQ7tc
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01IpjdMptZ
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylTYPJdGWV
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdxrZW5DkH
"Wake up, you," I said as I came to our bunk and gently slapped her on the cheek.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtOPuWmU12
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqtMLiGsZl
"Awwh, Diana!" she protested as she turned around to face the other side.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT5blc0k3d
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf62iAKZcZ2
"You're forgetting that today is Saturday," I said as I went to the other side of the bunk to get dressed.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3AaxHEbZg
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXPXo0s7ci
"You said it yourself. It's Saturday."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdoG73f1yC
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpga17aBDu
"It's inspection day."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsgmU0jsjQ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k3srKdD9g
She quickly sat up on her elbow to look at me. "I thought inspection is tomorrow."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZxPe4NkQd
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn6pnys1lz
"Inspection day last week was on a Sunday."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZovyOsg7n
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d1cGgWuae
"Ahhh!" she muttered as she fell back in the covers. "Now I really need to get up."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjWHbdrxPq
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yvOTTm48B
"You surely do."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYaK8ZMz1h
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMZnjUI870
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBFtCulOXU
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBi0SGrFuz
"How come you managed to bath so early?" she asked.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadLkGrAwMM
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljydMkRrP0
"I woke up early," I answered as I opened my suitcase to get my lotion.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF5rvP2xOS
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn2GnJLtgV
"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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegUSw6aXOn
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09dD6orbsW
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPTUmmD2vc
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIvA0yPNnc
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK3D7OBivc
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2R6ghjifJM
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?479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqdt7UT3xs
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1Pg9N6gFE
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzIC7CC5O1
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sJYOtb16W
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7xBO1MTfQ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXbAlhZ90v
"Morning, Diana," said Chisha.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcTuFc4krD
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiltDtwMjk5
"Morning," I said.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVMuxbAOtx
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cjZAw13SX
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA01GtLH1Q
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNptjHKDRX
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpHsvoddMM
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZVYcvDsez
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p8URy2kmZ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh6632kpyl
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueyEiQ6cqT
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfOqeUMgSe
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9Ztpycnsv
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcgHccwD25
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnD4evlrsT
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm7DKOYcxb
I turned around. There's nobody there. Strange.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XIQHaO6to
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLCxpXlgL1
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVnaJqQEfx
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJefFKSNPx
"Ouch," I muttered, holding my nose. My eyes started to water because of the pain.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IazDsGGG3
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLPxgAvRFL
"You really should be looking where you're going," came a male voice in front of me.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDmJVQAYSy
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA7QqhS0Ox
I opened my watery eyes and the first thing that caught my eye was a purple cloak.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUKSKkKW7c
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSnS5LxAXg
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXnxMhhGKn
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKr6hcrrkf
His mouth raised up into a smile. A corky one for that matter.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQZE8tg7on
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ51UvILKvc
"You're the man from yesterday," I said, still holding my nose.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o44XzT21K
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IkGxchtGb
"Yes, I am," he said. "You probably don't know my name. I'm Ryan. I see you got my signal."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBOXbe7s1o
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3gtbfIQIH
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Tiityk5TQ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8Ad7o6EqX
"Wait..., what signal?" I asked.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ469a2wEAvM
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHsmffNUbQ
"You didn't feel anything strange back in your room?" he asked with a worrying look on his face.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAnyw1GFhB
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv4AhthLov
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqUrDKy5bX
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPfwhjyVOL
"If we're done with introductions," he said, "let's get going."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYnexv0yCX
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHWCrR803N
"Wait, you're taking me with you right now?" I asked just when he was about to turn around and lead the way.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFRjbLjmTG
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP556v92u2z
"That was the agreement, wasn't it?" he asked with his eyebrow raised.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfqbX5ncw1
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZgux1ds68
"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?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cBYbH0W7O
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnet6mPPtlA
He gave me a serious look and I regretted saying that. He had his hands cupped before him, obviously contemplating about who knows what.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH0E6fRmLG
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobOKExdkUz
"Didn't we agree that your training starts today?" he asked.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyIjW1Qpb7
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRzZqM0z3K
"If you think about it, you ordered that training starts today. I practically didn't agree on anything."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3M760BhBP
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58G9vnyguS
"Don't try to wiggle your way out of this, Diana." He leaned closer. "Your training is of utmost importance."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19ePtusoHm
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxJleCV88B
"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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY53LoKqMB
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcR69Y9tFS
"We know you don't understand what's going on and that's why we want to help you."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFflnW7wPqJ
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Va4ftAKEH
"Oh, really? And how is this 'training' going to help me?" This time I raised my eyebrow at him.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHanMdNtyG
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHbO2l8DyG
"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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvhVfV1qoX
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSH8lxhoFjS
"Is it physical? Am I going to learn some kind of skill?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h568fNV0I
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsKDXMcWOV
"All these questions are going to make my head ache." He straightened himself. "Come on, we better hurry."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR5zOBQh0U
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4phKtTr3ZT
"Wait a minute," I said, stopping him from turning around again.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHCN0esk6W
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjzpU1XKcJ
"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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPcJwYhs88
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0x6CYBjEd5
"I've my duties to do first and there's breakfast that I can't miss. Also-"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOKoo0O3Gl
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVkdhYuneH
"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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF669kgiDW
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XNe5Rijxp
"Are you sure? I may not be the most popular girl around, but I've friends that will notice that I'm not here."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pdhVFJCZ5
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTVDuung6Q
"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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7fhtvwpuu
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBUNK3vRKh
"Oh..., this training is physical, then?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA9E0PECTU
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuLCYkscqe
"You'll see when we get there. Can we please go now?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFMFdPPAF9
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn5bkeUOGZ
"Well..., alright." I dropped the broom onto the ground.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2cmvOtFq7
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjuz6grnJV
"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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEopB4wTBhR
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJoZCwwGCK
"I hope it won't come to that," I answered as he lead the way behind the garage.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME6LFSoD95
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU822JadKgY
I heard him scoff. "Some day you'll."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpPtC1sV42
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUnJ3Frssm
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnqaTiDIpb
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xmTau7LLt
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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshuc2FUzmG
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOVghGTATX
"What are you doing?" I asked, surprised that someone like him would graffiti the wall. "That's not allowed."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlclsf9sRD
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEcimh90jR
"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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfyLPkZ5jo
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwjRcR7ZE4
"How is drawing going to take us where we need to go?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwdIZdCP8e
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5abBmVvV5i
"Already full of questions, huh?" Ryan asked as he finished drawing a full round circle, almost his height. "Don't you watch fantasy movies?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCsm9EE4QH
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhxPemPWxD
"Of course I watch fantasy movies," I said, upset with him questioning me about such. If anything, I am a big fan of fantasy.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfIMEkEVew
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8jEkJugEZ
"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?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDrVhFxmHV
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxaUao5SAw
"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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJAzAOaX93
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm70hb1m59
"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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl69iCrcSd
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEX6tueLsOK
"So this drawing will lead us to the island?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMlRufcoG8
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7lTHTW4Z9
"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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExjvULZPAH
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfKtx6gnb4
"What is it?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYzqd0leYw
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIv9TsCZHM
"How to use it. It's not some ordinary drawing. You need to activate it for it to act as a doorway."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IOwWLklnn
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6nFBvEpRA
"How do you activate it?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X512JnZh9
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuF0zxra0w
"By a chant." He turned to look at me.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdh3Mv2wzT
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LQhiCbmDy
"A chant? Meaning I've to say something?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQrR27sNTh
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0EtaNtdbY
"Yes. The bad part is, you don't know the language yet."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyBzhkIl47
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqJubrO2k7
"Oh..., that language," I muttered as I remembered the writings I saw on the doorway of the Butterfly Temple.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgii57nBHw
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWIlZRGHkf
"Don't worry, it isn't as hard as you think." Ryan beamed at me.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpDFnhTqdp
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"Easy for you to say. I've the man in green teaching it to me."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDXZbIo67T
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"He's a handful, but Bob isn't that bad when you get to know him."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc9pQTuoIP
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"I beg to differ," I quietly muttered to myself as Ryan turned to look back at the drawing.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBbEq6CKNf
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"Okay, we better get going."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtNUkAYzOw
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RSTzsRCGe
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebPqwOXMjy
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"Is that it?" I asked Ryan.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRsN9Idcv4
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsQF4OtpyQ
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"Wow. But wait..., won't someone find the drawing and get dragged in by accident?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ0KkETuSn
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0IrkTwT6e
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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?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwgaNiZoA7
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Ryan smacked his lips, and I realized that I wasn't going to like his answer.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIT7urAJ8T
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHUGSsAcXU
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"But what if there's an emergency here and I need your help?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUYjfJruZf
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29wcLIHrHx
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmbrr2Zqqp
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDWwVNraGd
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"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Ryan asked.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dnsBRtf1U
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUEuDtIIam
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoS2iedsUcW
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I quickly rushed down to catch up to him towards what felt to me like an adventure.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr8pLQDG4W
