"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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnANjPzbyh
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CTskaoiWB
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRKixRTbUg
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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..."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjFS681Iuo
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz05VSrCPOC
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJdJfZOe6p
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"I'm fine," I said.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ4hdHM8ql
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVS0WwcrZK
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxLQi8Qq6a
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n5v03Opyq
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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?315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRySN1X7gJ
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGH22YGRMq
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C9gE7fJPC
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsvk1IJDpf
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyC7r4dPAy
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"It's really nice," I commented.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKuSD537Iz
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2Bh6TCx8e
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnIs0WcbFI
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dlhiWAfr2
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PZUPfJaOa
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ060qyfJlOP
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7fSiaqcrn
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf0DDLwdZs
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6SyLSILn8
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbRyiiCToc
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVFxx1Hw42
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAIrW8x5p6
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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?315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu3xcoSFU8
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VixPotUTQ
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEji1Yrj5Jq
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr3paqcYa3
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"What is it?" I asked.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSTi8RDR2r
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr0KwAH8dE
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwNk541uA5
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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?315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSvS9UWxDf
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokkAmF1gDg
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpdCmpf8xb
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQAQdu44G5
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSm0vnzQ3r
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFarVeTUMz
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNAr0YFcN7
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQLZGzXTAS
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMj2Y0LIp0
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5ExoSlCBb
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf5CVCaJmf
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0pjdd5Qof
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakDhwGyoz3
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0LGy6ksDy
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XOPOcerWd
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS3T86OLPS
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcQtUKpM2V
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKeuIB2PZs
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz3Ajzkwhn
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBynuZy0SP
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUovoghFDlL
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IQcdWrpoa
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYH4vGjyIt
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqCrTAZ2JV
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16VvRed2Cm
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDKAhYsSWf
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAscixx5TEe
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjond3Y4Gcy
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cbWchCwKl
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgvogaNB4e
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHvybRJJ97
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90DTrukIZl
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3YdJXNJXG
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGR9JZizeS
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uqTV3gNN5
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAJuHiu6L2
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9PSi4p6gR
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc5y52IHP3
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwFGtKc2da
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuP34CFGFQ
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBvPKLrigF
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfUruxesau
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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?315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7yGCDfvxt
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpnIOKGw0k
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEtxMpfZ2o
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXIOsXVoDn
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOd4I3KK4k
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbBw9DN3GR
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFUI2avcBP
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQAgOIfFNn
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NAQbIKqEv
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"Ask me something else, then."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfLkupE9g5
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"Who are you?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNJR27zZ7L
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV3teFXcTM
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQtaxFmYoe
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPPrvkFDgy
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozh15Dfj5b
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy91quimdFy
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"How do you know my name?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNvLCxfDcC
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEKhXfk93W
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sxsmYCrkS
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA9BaAcdDX
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SKqxu1OJH
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjks0oLCRy8
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfGJPTvSO6
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBhJgizBgt
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1Nad3Lr9R
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l11fzgF4W
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZA3yWTy8q
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe55jYd3ULK
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20CIAkRXGX
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGkhcKWgTe
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"What are you going to do to me?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAppAjRe54U
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6UmuqCd6I
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k9q7JM3Fk
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlQafcujyz
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpbAhW3SDy
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiUcFkuAoi
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrWTODrhsO
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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:315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtZYkth2Q0
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The birds.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV39VhK2VI6
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGDXhm4xti
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5T7tU1jQG
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RbogS5fEk
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"I beg to differ."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZTfj5E8GU
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Sv4eN8VBC
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWworIPZBH
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kAzmyNClh
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUjQjV8ddM
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86UOpHcxaS
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwRRmtHSou
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1z40eDRUk
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIs5AQBmgg7
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiwZsKU1wu
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoVr7ZBpVj
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SkeppDCDw
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3s3PFUW7g
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSZ4qbprAg
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMmHmV4UXU
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I winced. "She can do that?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw3eMLvvDG
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnn1XfPvzS
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJst2wYiVw
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx96dOVoJH
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmt1RKefYH
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhxZGlnxgy
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2dYAIt5g9
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyr4jNQPlO
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRWrRmCpsH
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX0LrpMDRy
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLFrxLSPBS
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VoWctiwNX
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg1RLZOm37
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmEfMCSwei
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUgFHEHwhA
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85xSV0VfBK
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BkcsKVYZ7
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ8xck5JcE
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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?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAvTA884JY
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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?315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3l5UXVEE5
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1YdsIpf8u
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa1TJBGqHW
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRaccpPBlN
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpsRZeO9Iw
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpimPVz1Vi8
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlvpNmNPJC
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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?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVNeWOjBek
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MSmssjWJm
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3ZALOI8cf
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTTO3B9y6v
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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?315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1ZNrH5UJn
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklNLSo8AUB
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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?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFHI3fuBva
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgG8G3rvW8
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsytUtdjBQ
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe2xs7nyat
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U4Yzvon56
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA9p0aWPEM
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceF1VV6LGG
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecB4Y39OZ1
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u9klEJU1B
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgKoE1tNrv
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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-?315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SFLZuLEZj
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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?315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkTw3Wibao
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghyemyzzBM
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TJuq1mhjE
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FXsPk6paz
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjElgzmmHY
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t2ThK63ZR
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVZ7r4eZxV
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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?315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98Y6EUELjM
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdMzHeFZvG
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUs6enFHxfD
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa5kpWkhLh
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3nYgsgZIO
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJiHsh6xQd
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovBWJadFW2
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FjeT9azlO
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAeklCRMwl
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI099wYkfSt
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3et3RqyDh
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7UZLY1iNx
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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?315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvk7C34BPA
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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?315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1HqbUUjgt
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgewzh5790
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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?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSDWnPrlnz
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bo2Vmlyny
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZba94NYnt
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVh6fmV5AM
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg9ObfioPg
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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?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW110N95M5
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ6NFf4C9L
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh1NT5d4mt
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFE9fqNKaU
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5TPq22X2m
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2sMw2cmEw
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUxPht3rcS
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw1uU9C0LR
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBacpY8jhjG
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzUGzoposp
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ80aTiNvM
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpniv9j1su
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEZCB1mnG8
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7ZWuIEF4V
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAuaImycHP
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5rqjLJ1Ne
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmZoKAc0NJ
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SR8B7MT0D
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyGp8Wete9
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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?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtwoj30mdo
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"Did you summon them?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiCA1K4KI0
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LDSbU8BiN
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK2W56lXya
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCN1mU2J4c
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkc4weIeAk
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVyLHqSFMl
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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."315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nMtSZfyzS
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sQu6k2IsW
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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?315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrSot5Hfn8
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhJZX3Rszh
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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.315Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygyk0lCxfh
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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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