"Wakey, wakey, sleepy head," came a voice. Am I dreaming? I don’t think so. The voice sounds very familiar. I tried to open my eyes but I couldn’t.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡailp0hOKYC
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I finally opened them and the light hit directly into my eyes. I slowly sat up. My body felt heavy and it ached like hell. I felt like going back to sleep. There's someone standing near the window. It's Ariana.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP2TyJGWyu
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"Can I sleep a little longer?" I asked as I yawned. Stretching my arms is hard and painful, so I didn't even try.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpSFvMjUxR
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"I know what you mean," came her voice. My eyes are still so sleepy that everything looks blurry. "But I'm afraid I’ve to get you ready for today. So, if you don’t mind..."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHH6YtNowNt
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I muttered in frustration as I tried to move the bed covers aside. I groaned, both in pain and frustration. I hear footsteps and knew Ariana is coming to help. But somehow, I managed to get a big portion of the covers aside.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WATs4dnqz
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"Thank goodness," said Ariana as I looked at her through tired eyes. "I thought I would've have to carry you to the bathroom outside."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUHxLNsIpt
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"I'm fine," I said.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCH962DW5f
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTQwTF5NYK
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLrTfYCU4X
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrfN778kWw
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The two of us walked out of the room and just right next to my bedroom door is another. She opened it for me, and as expected, I didn't find myself in a modern day bathroom. There's a large wooden tub, that looked like a bucket in the middle of the room, big enough to fit two to three people. And it's full of hot steaming water. Am I really going to bath in that?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk6AFp6Kbc
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BqbyXTu40
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FQ448lfLJ
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After my nice, warm, relaxing bath, I am back in my room, all dressed up in a long, black, 19th century dress, like the ones most of the females wore around here. I wish they could've given me in another colour, it did look good on me.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEXBUHtc2i
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"Wow, just stunning," said Ariana as she stood behind me, holding my shoulders and looking in the mirror hung on the wall next to the wardrobe. There wasn't a full-length mirror here yesterday, so I was surprised when I came back from the bathroom that Ariana had brought one.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdruZjKwSC0
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"It's really nice," I commented.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YGhbrR1B0
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u8qje075V
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A knock came at the door and Ariana quickly went to open it. The young nurse from last night came in with a tray.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm8sZwQzaI
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"Good morning, Ariana," she greeted as she entered the room. She turned towards me still standing in front of the mirror. "Morning. Well, you look stunning today."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2YHvJdLwF
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"Thank you," I said as I slowly turned around to approach the bed. The nurse already placed the tray on the table and I saw a white ceramic bowl and what looked like porridge in it.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpk3DU5J9s
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LKcsrT1FZ
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtfzGA7cvO
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnQuV9qT87
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"Do I have to continue drinking that medicine?" I asked as I approached the small table and looked at the small bowl filled with white porridge.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsq6JfyaXRS
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1HDOlErPi
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"I know it's good for me, but it's just so yucky!" I turned to look at her, sticking my tongue out.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1bWf0WgRS
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Ariana couldn't help but laugh. "You really are something. Now eat up. The others will be here any moment now."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r0f7f1AFZ
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After breakfast, Ariana escorted me out of my room. When we reached the bottom of the stairs, the place felt empty like it did yesterday. Now that I think about it, I feel Ariana and the rest of the High Order are behind this. What if people who aren't authorised to be here were told this part of the castle is off limits?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB4600uy6B
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZhLShvzws
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I hadn't realised that I was looking down the long quiet passage leading to the other side of the castle. I've a feeling that there's a lot going on.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4xhz8ZTlf
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"Coming," I said, slowly turning around and joining Ariana who still stood at the door. She didn’t make a move as she continued to look at me.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WmZGb7d64
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"What is it?" I asked.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cmMOHJtVY
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"Nothing, just curious about something," she said as she walked out. She obviously didn’t want me asking her questions. Can’t blame her. I do like asking a lot.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYplACyEaH
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I slowly followed her outside and by the foot of the stairs, stood an elegant white carriage tied to two white magnificent horses. Wow! Now I know how Cinderella felt when she knew what she was riding in. I’m super excited. I felt like I had just entered a movie or something.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb5KliI0wq
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Ariana went down the stone steps and waited in front of the carriage. She turned to look at me with a smile. Just a few seconds ago, she seemed different. Could I’ve something to do with it?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYKAnuqB4h
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gcBvIaFNd
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Just as I am about to make my way down, the nurse who visited my room earlier came from behind in a hurry.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUBq2G7QM3
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"Wait," she said, as she came to stand beside me, stopping me with a hand on my shoulder. "You forgot to take your medicine." She held up her hand and in it, is a small wooden cup filled with the black liquid.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgnDvu6yZ5
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"Oh, I completely forgot," I took the cup and quickly gulped the medicine down. The inside of my mouth and stomach burned like hell. I stuck out my tongue.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRC0j8P2Nc
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe04EWymnL
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JVOukz2w3
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuFfpqX5vh
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I give the nurse back the cup, the strong bitter feeling is just unbearable. I now wish for something sweeter than the butterfly cookies Ariana brought me yesterday. I start to make my way down the stone steps as Ariana went on to open the carriage. I notice that the door handle and the steps leading inside, were covered in gold. I couldn’t help but admire how elegant it looks.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHhmuz1ZvI
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijZr89cAdJ
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKXDZNX306
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF8rIvaxZX
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I look around. I expected the troops that came to get me in the orchard to also be here. I turned to the stone steps and the nurse who had brought me the medicine is already gone.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLwQ9dZN4J
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwVDqkxpKU
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"If you say so," I said as I placed my foot on the steps leading up to the carriage. I winced in pain and held my knee.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw1AQ75QBx
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc2t6ZQiP3
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xaevxCAXL
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOFB11f0YS
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEQMHbijzO
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKihAG1XOg
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7Jpzg9YgS
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtglSsIFkL
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzlJKGuwgL
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4mQjrmsF4
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She quickly drew away and I saw the look on her face change into an angry one. She quickly took my hand that was on her shoulder into a tight grip.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNifVm77F74
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqoinPYM9i
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiHZzP5cjm
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"Get in the carriage," Ariana continued to insist as she started to push me inside, this time with her hands behind my back. I held both ends of the open door to prevent myself from going in. My shoulders hurt for doing so.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVk9IPBhDA
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"No, I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who you are!" I also insisted, trying my best to stand my ground.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFhVXE6mnj
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYgvlZCoHy
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQhvHBcVm2
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"You leave me no choice." I felt her lift one of her hands from my back and I had a feeling she’s about to something deadly.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnrZKFlzny
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I pushed myself backwards with all my might, using my hands for force before this imposter could do anything. And in doing so, I pushed her and myself away from the door. I even hit her in the face with the back of my head.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJH4vwFpfn
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We both fall to the ground, and I’m quick enough to turn around to look at her. I found her holding her nose and there's a trickle of blood.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMUQTOpyKk
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pfPhubMEs
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclqTU7dQ8w
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QepINOnKH
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No way am I stopping for anyone. Who is this person disguised as Ariana? I need to get away and look for help.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwSuYj3144
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I ran down the stone path that I used yesterday. When I reach the crossroads, I don’t take the turn that led to the orchard. I head for the iron gates straight ahead. There are probably guards there who could help.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0G5p5W5Z6
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukq1BzK3sO
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I didn’t. And just when I’m approaching the gate, I noticed something is wrong. Before I could wrap my head around it, I felt the ground rumble below. When I looked, I found it cracking open. Before I could stop myself, I tripped over the upturned stones and went to ground.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56WHM7M4bE
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"You really should listen when I tell you to stop!" the imposter called out. She’s approaching. I've to get away quickly.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBeu5urbBu
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I lifted my head and looked towards the huge iron gates. They are a lot bigger than I imagined. I finally notice what’s wrong. There are people on the ground just near the gate. The guards. There are only three bodies lying unconscious. This is bad. Could the imposter have done this?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGDsRlw67C
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"For a new comer, you’re pretty sharp," came the imposter behind me. She’s getting close. "You figured out that I’m not Ariana. I’m impressed."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UdB6BNxES
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I tried to get up, but my body hurt and I felt a sharp pain in my knee. I must have hurt myself pretty bad. I started to crawl. In one way or another I’ll have to reach the fallen guards. They’ve got to have weapons on them or something.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX3w6Ca8Pn
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlca5wiR3RS
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I continued to crawl when all of a sudden, I felt myself being lifted off the ground. Am I floating? I felt a certain force push me upwards that I now stood upright in the air. I felt myself turn looking in the direction of the imposter. With Ariana’s smile, I couldn’t tell if the person is smiling or just smirking.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLTOLf0yIY
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaNkxXIejX
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQU1uhFaWE
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pVzorUpoe
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBckYJBWuU
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"Ask me something else, then."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmIeu3Cggg
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"Who are you?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpotZiIJTlT
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktRrjYdWZY
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVGBVVouWT
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GhJ3XauqU
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Ariana’s face started to change in an instant. Her blonde curly hair soon turned black and straight. The features on her face started to change, becoming more man-like with a chiselled chin and cheekbones. Her yellow robe turned to black and velvet. In front of me stood a man who looked to be in his late fifties.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzgy4fBSfi
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2E5K96jjR
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"How do you know my name?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRfDA9uSeG
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Lord Vandell approached and the smirk on his face scared me a little. He looks like he has no good intentions.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xwTsMQz87
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm14D3v4Tqt
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcMhYXs4Td
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxrJucHvQ6
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaprNBZRbJ
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3gK2mVDpW
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugSqkR8cop
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb7RNBxdqv
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxoKwI7Uhl
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk0o8cKNpG
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I now start to wonder. Could this be why the others have been so protective over me? If it is, I totally agree with them now. This man may not look like it, but he’s a lunatic.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj6qxSW5Hz
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"Aren’t the others going to be upset that you took down security and Ariana just to get to me?" I asked.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YaKACZBqf
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"That’s why I wanted you out of here easily," he said with a smirk. "But you saw past my disguise. Not everybody does."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQl3PU05id9
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"What are you going to do to me?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANk5iscRgG
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoA7ILN94y
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"Well, I don’t like your approach. You can’t just kidnap me and think you’re going to get away with it."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdMyWfAOZn
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He scoffed. "Enough talk. Let’s get out of this boring place. Something tells me, we’re going to have a lot of fun together."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98XtwN3MSp
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I squirmed around to get myself out of his invisible hold, but it’s no use. I can’t go with him. Who knows what he will do to me.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4npCcwFdr
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpgLCxCvnn
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"Don’t make me laugh, Diana," he said. I slowly floated downwards that I'm now at eye level with him. "You simply can’t do anything to me. Well, not yet, at least."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOt8tODGGzD
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He started to make his way towards the gate and still in his invisible grasp, I turned around in the air to follow him. I've to do something. I started to look around. There's still no one in sight. Where are Ryan and Stella when you need them? This is bad. Then I remembered something:266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jNYIarsKD
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The birds.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8mnNN3Coa
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We were approaching the gate and I looked around for any sign of them. Using the inside of my head, I called out to them. Calling out loud will be silly. Lord Vandell would seal my mouth shut if I did.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3QZ4ifTf9
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I started to panic when the birds were still no where in sight. We're now at the gate. I started to squirm around to break free.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUwoSsyZ2O
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkKOM2zbbV
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"I beg to differ."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP9flJBDHC
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A high-pitched, chirping came from a distance, and I can't help but let out a sigh of relief. I turn my head. I expected to see the two blue birds from yesterday, but there's a large flock of the same kind, flying towards us. For a moment, I thought a blue cloud is descending upon us. There are so many.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoeeBTeMwA
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr4QwTeAy9
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9v1t3n314
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMA3YT8N5V
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2lQwNt2wG
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Before Lord Vandell could do anything, the birds came in one fell swoop, flying around us. For a minute, I can’t see what’s in front of me. The fluttering of their wings were like that of a strong wind.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6f7Ua0DWp
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I soon felt the invisible hold around me loosen and I fall to the ground. I didn’t fall too hard. The birds continued to fly around, but I realised that they are more concentrated on Lord Vandell. Almost the whole flock of birds surrounded him that it looked like he's stuck in a middle of a blue tornado. I could see him with his arms all around trying to keep the birds away. I noticed a few of them pecking at him when they got the chance.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz7WBNS2hc
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I stood up, grateful that the birds were of help. They could hold him at bay for a while until the others arrive.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mV8YKljbm
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Two birds came to sit on my shoulders. It’s the ones from yesterday. It’s weird how I could tell them apart from all the others that were flying around. They chirped at me, sounding relieved that I managed to get in touch with them.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GZEvmRH8V
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA2ggLQhSe
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The two birds chirped on, telling me that the others will be here soon. They went on to join the other birds peaking and pulling at Lord Vandell’s robe. He’s having a hard time dealing with them.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT5bAOSbMp
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"Diana!" came a voice behind me. I turned and saw Ariana with the nurse who had visited my room this morning.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKz6EAU49J
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32HcnnbJiF
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"I’m good, he just knocked me out cold, that’s all," she said. Her eyes turned to the flock of birds bullying Lord Vandell. "He can stay there for a while. He can’t use his powers on them. That’s if he wants Her Highness to break him."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbOazD1Xyz
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I winced. "She can do that?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2sXgGDvFp
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqlT1Yz4yz
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"Diana, you're hurt," said the nurse. She quickly rushed over to me and knelt at my feet, lifting my dress a little higher. I then remembered that I had fallen to the ground earlier and had a cut on the knee. A stream of blood trickled down my leg.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6UxBjZLDh
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"I actually fell thanks to Lord Vandell," I said. Now that I think about it, my whole body ached like hell. I’m not completely healed and I had to do a lot of running, hence stressing all my muscles again.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6aqxroD0p
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGFhkNFX3T
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"How did he get you?" I asked. The nurse cleaned my wound first. Apparently, she carried some ointment in the pocket of her apron in a tiny brown bottle. My wound stung when she applied it.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjpsCvvzfP
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"After your bath when you went to your room and I remained in the bathroom," Ariana explained. "He knocked me out. I didn’t see him coming."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dyFNUJ4BK
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The birds continued to attack Lord Vandell, who kept yelling at them to get away. Ariana came closer and drew out her hand. The birds in an instant left him alone and flew away. He's in such a mess. His hair is all over the place and the birds had torn through parts of his robes that he almost looked like a beggar in rags. Not forgetting that some birds had angrily pecked at his face, leaving a few cuts and bruises.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhYlVr4oEk
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQY4wYqt7M
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNBEhhcqdM
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Lord Vandell chuckled. He sounded like he’s about to lose it. The birds must have messed him up. I should've told them to go a little easy on him.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamMpPxKhrC
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"And how sure are you that you won't call the birds to attack me again?" he asked, looking at me.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeD1pyMxji
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Even when Ariana had her eyes on him, I could feel her stare through the corner of her eye. She must be surprised by this too. Or not.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r5cY81HIq
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"I didn't tell the birds to attack you," I lied. "They obviously sensed that something's wrong and came to my rescue."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKHCZ7PIIv
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplSpQdWniG
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg1rTE5P2D
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy0XrNcUCb
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He straightened himself up and even in the state he is in, he looked like he had some ounce of dignity left. He also didn't seem bothered that he had been attacked by angry birds.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOpiYvZMgF
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"Tell me, Ariana," he said, as his dark eyes fell on her. "When were you going to tell us about this treasure you've found?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxKI7W8lRV
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His eyes were now on me. And what did he mean by "we?" Who else isn't supposed to know about my whereabouts?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84TsK3yUVW
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DB1G9verI
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I turned around and the nurse who had been attending to my wound, stood upright to see Ryan and Stella come towards us. Looks like they teleported themselves here.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwJ0enEiTb
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu77FhieEW
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREWoYAkVhT
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiGwptxCv8
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"You committed a terrible offense, Lord Vandell," said Ryan. "Her Highness strictly didn't want anyone on this side of the castle, and you knew that."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRWRhwSUKO
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Lord Vandell scoffed. "Her Highness and all of you in the High Order really think you can do whatever you like around here. So what’s the use of keeping her hidden? You do know, everyone's talking about her, right?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICBtYJt7Sc
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I now remember what Raisa told me. I know I'm already a rumour, but he must have heard something specific from someone about me.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiUocUTKZF
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GrK9JBvGO
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxynPAfRAs
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I felt the mood around me change. I could tell Stella, Ryan, Ariana were just as surprised as I am, but did well not to show it. He was there?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrjR02K39h
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpyv5GJtjZ
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Lord Vandell scoffed. "I know the Butterfly Order rests their hope and trust in you, but why keep this girl hidden from the rest of us? Is there something about her that we don’t know about that you want to keep her all to yourself?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2kiYPtopA
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuvpQDpnvm
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"Keep on thinking like that, and you will regret that you ever did," said Stella. I hear her walk up to me and the next thing I know, she’s grabbing my shoulder. "We need to go, Diana."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ431xZ82XHx
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"Where do you think you’re going with her?" Lord Vandell asked as soon as Stella and I turned around. "You aren’t taking her anywhere."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGgZjfihis
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"She’s our responsibility, Lord Vandell," said Stella as she turned to look at him. "We know what we’re doing, and she’s not coming with you."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvETrghze2L
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1U3whmq1g
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfVGBMZcjz
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"Watch your tongue, Ryan," said Lord Vandell, sounding serious. His voice could scare even the smallest of animals away. Even I felt terrified. "It’s not my fault that you were all careless."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyzlD5pwpU
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHtmTmAbzF
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkwTOqDuCU
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I felt the air grow tense that I couldn’t even move. The hairs at the back of my neck stood. Something is about to happen, but what could-?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66jAIiOrjN
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Something suddenly ran past me, and I didn’t realise what’s going on until I saw Ryan stand behind Lord Vandell who is now on his knees. What just happened? How did Ryan get there so fast?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1AlEmhQZA
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"I’ve had enough of you talking," Ryan said, looking down at Lord Vandell, holding him down with his hand on Lord Vandell’s shoulder.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ93VRjepe
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9iSwDSK0k
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"Ariana, Stella, take Diana away," said Ryan as he looked at his colleagues. "I think she has seen enough for one day."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzGgBQWirw
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVGhX8tyka
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFTeqcWlMl
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvBLMIrj5X
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I started to walk away alongside Stella, with the nurse and Ariana joining behind us. Lord Vandell continued to yell not to take me away and that he would burn this place to the ground if he had to. Could he do it?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvve8g4bzv
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I turned to look at Stella and she looked pretty upset. Maybe it’s best I don’t say anything for the time being.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC19bahQnI
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sHsPUHxAT
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVKHraFSmt
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZpiE6BkHX
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aoBJTFLFC
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlPjV1TYea
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Lord Vandell did mention something about people finding out about me. There are already people who know. But there are others, who just like Lord Vandell, know more. I wonder who they could be.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmOTfABPQ5
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Lord Vandell’s yapping continued behind us, but soon enough, he became quiet. I don’t know what Ryan has done to him, but when I turned my head to look, it’s like they had vanished in thin air. I can’t help but worry about how fast Ryan is. Should I? Probably in the future.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVFEvF5iJ3
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEvnghgkEI
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"Definitely not," Stella agreed. "If things turn out like this, we might be forced to bring Diana out to the public."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qiFccYc4D
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"May I ask why you’ve kept me hidden if you didn’t want this to happen?" I ended up asking.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRue347pwls
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Stella didn’t say anything, her eyes still not meeting mine. I could feel her body grow tense. I’m really dying to know why all this is happening. What is it about me that they don’t want me getting exposed to the public?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RtFJ0MaV9
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I turned to look at Ariana, and she had the same expression as Stella’s. For how long are they going to be quiet?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUFyRJK5yB
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvksFDXdFV
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"Aren’t we all?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "I might not know much about this place, but I can tell a lot of people have special abilities like you do. How am I any special?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmAEabyZRa
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKClU2oKq6Y
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I shook my head. "I still don’t understand, Stella. How can I be ‘that special?' I’m just an ordinary human being who happened to develop some mysterious abilities uncommon to our kind, like you guys."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqC6PZezQJ
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"True," she stopped walking to look at me. The rest of us did the same. "But you met Death, and that’s a whole different story."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsqOlELIJ4
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"What does Death have to do with all of this? Big deal, I got lucky and managed to live for another day. Don’t people meet Death and some of them happen to survive by circumstance? I just happen to be one of them."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvRZy5RcKD
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"But have you ever heard of anyone meeting Death and not only do they get out of his grasp alive, but develop abilities?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyfrIZdxYj
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXktpQWAzwM
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"You’ll only understand what she means when you start training," said Ariana. "You’re different from a lot of the recruits we’ve seen so far."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKxjJ5dcXh
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I wanted to protest some more, but it isn’t the first time I’ve heard all this. The first time Her Highness and I met, she talked about my encounter with Death. I should wait and see what they mean during training.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXxoCfyrcA
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I looked ahead and didn’t realise we were only a few feet away from the castle with the carriage still waiting there. Looks like I'm not going to ride in it today.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzfTxOOp3v
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"Make sure Diana is attended to," Stella said to the nurse behind her. "Ariana and I have to sort something out around the castle."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01NEPDF7Pv
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8EFpGqvq0
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPFI97M2xu
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Ariana sounded serious. I wonder what she means by that. Will they put up more security? I glance at the gate in a distance. Lord Vandell was able to take down the guards. Maybe they have other forms of security I’m yet to know about.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3fdP86SF3
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I make my way to the short stone steps with the nurse walking beside. As I walked up the stone steps, I felt the air change all of a sudden. The ground below rumbled a little. I looked above and it felt like the whole place has been surrounded by an invisible barrier. I quickly look behind me and find Ariana and Stella by the foot of the stairs with Ariana on one knee with both of her hands placed palm first onto the ground. I notice a line of runes appear on the ground in glowing yellow, surrounding the whole castle.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqldnSU39MX
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"Nothing to be scared of, Diana," said Stella as Ariana stood upright, the runes on the ground soon disappeared, but the presence of the barrier remained. "This is just a protective barrier to keep you safe. We’ll come check on you once we’re finished."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUrwYVaEur
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPtE2tKc4e
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Ariana and Stella turned around and walked back the way they came. I watch them go before turning around to head back in the castle. Surprisingly, Bob is standing in the open doorway. How did he get here? I didn’t even feel his presence.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2YudbWKbF
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"I had a backup plan if things weren’t going to go as planned," he said. "You’ll still start your lessons today."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL1M5CBscc
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I don’t know whether to feel excited about it or just keep it cool. Starting my training will be good for me to try and forget what happened just now.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2DTGmntId
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEUZrvaNgP
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfUokmAzOZ
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Rx7jANLLa
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE3AXwc9FX
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"Birds, what birds?" I quickly asked. I’m careful enough not to stammer. I’ve to choose my words carefully. "What about them?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dkZrOyZd8
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"Did you summon them?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy19gjSP7xg
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHvkIVpbIB
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"Don’t try to pretend with me, Diana." The corner of his mouth raised to a smile. "One of the recruits who was with you yesterday told me that you can understand the birds."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGABco7OKR
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There is no hiding from that. I should’ve warned the recruits not to say anything. But they don’t know me and I don’t know them, so I’m not surprised that they reported this.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhteZmNq3jf
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcb91lFeYE
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Bob continued to look at me before turning around and walking through the door. "Understanding creatures is a great ability," he said. "But people don’t develop it right there and then. They only do so after training. You, on the other hand, already have an understanding for them. That just shows you really are something."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ew6cj7o56
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I'm not ready for this speech again as I quickly said, "we’ll see about that, won’t we? I’ve been lucky and quite fortunate so far. My training will reveal if there’s anything special about me."266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0BSpfPeQj
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Bob slightly tilted his head to the side as I started to follow him inside the castle. "If it’s your destiny, Diana, you simply can’t run away from it," he said.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeLw4MnOab
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His words got to me and I stopped in my tracks. Could he be right? I didn’t want this to begin with. I was meant to die that day, but I didn’t. I don’t know how I survived. Now all this is happening because of that encounter. Was all this meant to happen? And if that is the case, for what?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKr85EtlJD
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg4Szpbh77
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"Of course," I said as Bob went up the flight of stairs. The nurse and I followed behind him at a slow pace.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8jmlZIoCL
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It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.
Penana
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