Five years ago488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6pWXoebkn
Mpunde Girls Secondary School488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oXeXUnCKe
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuOPFUpW27
It's Saturday. Unlike other people, I now hate Saturdays. This is the one day I always got to enjoy when I was little, as it was one of the days that you don't get to go to school. You get to sleep late the night before and wake up whenever you felt like it. Now that I'm older and at a boarding school, Saturdays are almost like any other day of the week, especially when there's one thing happening that day: Inspection.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVFuZeQNdI
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UHGAejmhN
I groaned as I lazily sat up in bed. The morning bell hadn't rang yet and I noticed that almost everyone in the dorm were on their bunk beds, fast asleep. The good thing about Saturdays is that we get to wake up an hour late from the usual time. I looked out of the window across the room and saw the sun slowing rising up to the east. It's only a matter of time before one of the prefects sounds the morning bell. I better get up and head for the showers when there's still time.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGpyCSDAdG
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuNHcRNAVO
I got out of bed on the down bunk and stood. I looked at Christine on the top bunk, sound asleep. She has a weird way of sleeping with her arms over her head and one foot out of the covers, dangling over the edge of the bed. I always had to be careful when getting up from the down bunk because of it.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTAP9vxYkf
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66yROqpV1a
I wore my slippers and started to make my bed. At the far end of the room, I heard the noisy creak of a bunk. Someone's up early too. I soon heard the sound of slippers and I turned to look down the aisle. It's Chileshe, our dorm prefect.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2eOloNjZv
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG5a115c0Q
She stretched out her arms as she stood next to my bed. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she looked at me.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp2ZspT1Pb
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4hbhpQa7M
"You're up early," she said and yawned afterwards.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5UcQgxiaI
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkzItnMRvv
"Yes, I am," I said as I folded the ends of the bed cover under the mattress. "How are you this morning?"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡednbmzEC1T
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LiPsBidEs
Chileshe had her hands on her hips as she arched her back, stretching.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC25rP6pY8H
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMteoWeAiLc
"Ah, my body is aching because of sports," she answered. "And my legs feel like l've been wearing rocks for shoes."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErGToJuyx6
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvHjj19qfI
"Ya, I get the feeling," I said as I smiled at her. It's funny how I didn't feel my body ache so much like it always does after sports.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqGw7CIUsC
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHmh2CYmTY
Chileshe yawned again and this time she tried to cover her mouth. She continued her way down the aisle for the door.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ800cdzYvDU
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSK5W6dIIR
"I feel old already," I heard her mutter. I smiled at her as she walked away.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VWx554jLo
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2WcBPsPng
After making the bed, I changed out of my pyjamas and took my bath towel on top of the suitcase and covered my body with it. I fetched for my toothbrush and toothpaste in the suitcase. After unscrewing the toothpaste tube, I squeezed out a bit of paste and placed it atop the bristles of my toothbrush. After putting the toothpaste away, I went to the other side of the bed where the small locker was together with my bucket and Christine's piled over the other. I took my first towel behind the locker. It had tiny rails on three sides, making it easier for us to hang our things there. I placed the towel in the bucket and took my soap case in the locker, placing it in the bucket as well.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AVcuyjrcR
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRZqrNHacO
I straigthened up and noticed Christine move. I thought she was going to wake up, but she didn't. It's best not to disturb her. She didn't like to be disturbed on a weekend when she at least had an extra hour of sleep.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV0vzy02qY
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHrfR2Z2dQ
With the toothbrush in my hand and the handle of my bucket in the other, I was ready to go for a bath. Just as I took a step into the aisle, I felt a weird sensation run through my neck. I froze for a minute, then turned around. I looked around the little space in between the bunk beds. I didn't seem to see anything unusual. My dorm mates on the next bunk were also fast asleep. What was that just now?488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPjwuEJVus
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQFbaN7dOo
I ignored it and walked down the aisle, heading out of the dorm.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PyFVkHo7R
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tpKW36RVd
When I stepped out, the first thing that caught my attention was the sunlight hitting the green leaves of the two trees on the lawns. A slight breeze blew past and the leaves swayed as though dancing to the soft tune of the wind. The whole dorm area is quiet. It felt exotic just to experience this moment of peace.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdXn4S3XAO
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyttnFqVI2W
I took in the lovely fresh air and smiled to myself as I headed for the ablution behind the dorms. So far, I hadn't met anyone on the way. The whole school must be asleep with probably a few of us awake at this time.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW34Kus85TL
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM905YA6R6
I found myself outside the ablution. I had to fetch water first in the bucket outside the ablution building.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68L9glLDrr
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0MtOWSelb
The tap area was empty. I placed my bucket under one of the taps to draw water, then went inside the ablution. The place was cold and silent. It won't be long until the aisle gets flooded. I tried not to think about it as I went over to the sinks to brush my teeth.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwFPYB75Il
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuz7Mh9Nio
I ran my toothbrush a little under the open tap and placed it in my mouth. As I brushed, I heard one of the doors from either one of the shower cubicles or toilets draw open. I figured it must be Chileshe or somebody else. I spat out the toothpaste and rinsed with water. After spitting it out, I turned my head a little to see who is heading out of the ablution. But then, something struck my mind.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpRShgD73S
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHQFpieWRF
I hadn't heard any footsteps.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAX7leqUoG
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzWUfxXGxT
I fully turned around to look behind me and I saw no one standing in the aisle. This is creepy. I couldn't even tell which door opened because most of the doors to the shower and toilet cubicles were either closed or opened. Some of them stood slightly ajar. I'm freaking out for no reason. Maybe one of the doors flew open due to the wind. The funny thing is, I never felt any breeze pass through the door the whole time I was in here.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9urXolqLl
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKIZhkSwPx
I walked out of the ablution not thinking too much about it. These things happen. The last thing I want is to think about ghosts and what not.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwmLTNHYBg
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KP5C7E1nw
Outside the tap area, I found my bucket overflowing with water and I quickly closed the tap. Soon enough, Chileshe walked out of the ablution.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrRPR4HhKj
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkpPG7xUoh
I didn't say anything as she headed for the dorm area. Maybe it was her whom I had heard. I almost blew out a sigh of relief, but I soon realised that I had my toothbrush in between my teeth. The last thing I want is for it to drop to the ground. The tuck shop where we buy most of our necessities from rarely opens on the weekends.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqR6P2kYea
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhitGG5BggN
I went inside the ablution and got to the first shower cubicle. I swung the little wooden door open with my foot and stepped inside with the bucket and the soap case. Once I closed the door, I started to bath.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc25td0yEo4
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ342jfWQorR
I hummed to myself a familiar song. It's nice to have the entire ablution to yourself sometimes. You get to make as much noise as you want. It sometimes reminds me of how much noise I would make back home in the bathroom.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kOKplcI82
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTgemkCYbS
As I poured water all over my body, I thought I heard a noise outside the shower cubicle.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVkM7dHRd3
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstLPSHh6D2
I stopped what I was doing to hear, but after a long quiet pause, I continued to bathe.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR02xE5oZd
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO2L6XkjAD
Within a few minutes, I heard the faint sound of the metal bell being hit. It's time for the whole school to wake up. I'm already done with my bath. I wrapped and tied the bath towel around my body, poured away the remaining water in the bucket and stepped out of the cubicle. I heard the faint sound of footsteps outside, and I knew some girls were making their way to the ablution.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6BvNnEPOD
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOsevyylTH
I'm about to head out, when I hear something fall to the floor with a loud thud. I looked down the aisle. It felt like the noise came from the far end of the ablution.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJM4ZzOMD1
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXtgFM8Brl
Should I go and check it out, I ask myself. I don't think it's anything to worry about. I decide to go out when the door to the ablution soon shut itself in front of me. I stare at it, startled. Did it just close in on itself? There was no one standing outside to have done so.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJnEmboaCo
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxwoBE8SEi
I turned back to look at the far end of the ablution and soon, the whole place grew colder than usual. The hair at the back of my neck stood up. I felt a sudden presence hiding behind the corner of the last shower cubicle, their breathing echoing around the ablution. Or was it just me?488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyKFygD5Mo
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGiTiRjYHq
I started to rub my arms with my hands. The place felt like a freezer now. I breathed out through my mouth and saw cold mist lingering in the air before disappearing. What's going on here?
The deep breathing at the corner became much deeper this time. I wonder who could be behind there. Should I go and see who it is? The thought of doing so, made me freak out a little as I felt my heart start to beat faster. All this made me remember something that I wish I could forget.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb7G9rFuho
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BymIDNgqH
The day I met Death.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZgGyfxGm8
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXTDUlIONs
I took a step back and found myself hitting my back onto the sink that was now icy cold. I looked around and noticed the place slowly getting covered in ice. I started to shiver like crazy now. Did Death finally catch up to me like he said he would? Was this really the end for me?488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KU2FUgTdE
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGZQTqRMIA
The floor beneath was covered with ice and I shivered like hell. If Death really is here, he would have faced me like he did before. Why isn't he doing so now?488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX4jjxD0hF
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg8qVqfoMy
The breathing continued at the far end and I thought, if he isn't going to face me, I better go to him, ending this once and for all.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlNEIMSL8z
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUrJBA7ryV
I dropped my almost frozen bucket onto the icy floor and slowly walked down the aisle, shivering. As I walked, snow started to fall from the ceiling. I looked up and didn't see the tinned roof, but white clouds. I looked back down and it was then that I realised that I wasn't in the ablution. Where there was supposed to be a line of shower and toilet cubicles, stood a line of tall pine trees covered in snow.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvOVjpHVNQ
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46RzGSeOOh
Where am I? Snow and pine trees? What is this place? How did I get here?488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9uyONYoDu
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKcWYHM4o9
I stopped on my tracks and for a second, I forgot how cold I felt. I had never experienced snow before. I couldn't believe it. It never snows in Zambia. It never has. We do experience very cold winters in June and July, and sometimes during the rainy seasons. But it has never snowed before. I am definitely somewhere else.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQf2sqXBgE
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzElBXVarFj
I held out my hand and a few snowflakes fell onto my open palm. It was then that I noticed my hands were very pale. I remembered the day I met Death. I was just as cold as this, but there wasn't any snow or trees around.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffNgLgxNzz
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwFtJ1AW8g
The deep breathing I heard earlier caught my attention again, and I followed the noise. Maybe if I found whoever is there, they might help me out. If I stayed out here like this in only a towel and slippers, I'll freeze to death. Now that surely would be the end of me.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mTRicvLdL
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSdVw4sD8D
The pine trees were neatly lined up on either side, and I continued to walk down the aisle to whoever was straight ahead. It's a pity I couldn't move fast enough with all the thick snow at my feet, slowing me down. Not to mention my legs were growing numb due to the cold that moving them felt like I had stones tied around my feet.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdExbiTt9N
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTVesHscOq
The person's breathing grew louder and within minutes, I found myself at the end of the aisle where the line of trees ended. And in front of me stood a vast land of snow, covering the ground for hundreds of miles.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bqnTjANuz
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OftwjJCvQ
I continued to look onwards hoping to see if there were any buildings nearby or a few trees like the ones behind me, but no luck.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0FY0vlKkM
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxt79d84i1c
I shivered and I continued to breath heavily. My lungs were getting affected by the cold. Now I see why people in the Northern Hemisphere who experience snow get to wear a lot of warm clothes. I am in dire need of them right now.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk3Q6jktN8
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKleAxZx80j
I heard deep breathing again and I quickly looked to my left towards the last tree on the aisle. I saw a black cloth on the snow behind the tree. There was someone seated there on the snow with their back against the tree wrapped in a black cotton blanket or something. The head was tilted to the side that I couldn't see the person's face.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzmkHTVotx
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibel0LSNOg
"Hello?" I called out as I slowly approached.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCWZDdzrTg
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l8cvedLuj
The person didn't respond and I noticed that the person wore a black hood over their head. I stopped for moment, thinking that I've stumbled upon Death while he's asleep. But then, I realised that the person under the hood is human. Death wouldn't be leaning against a tree in the middle of nowhere taking a nap, would he?488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua856OqNqz
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ogk9hTPZH
I slowly continued my approach and was within arms length. I stretched out my cold, shivering hand to hold the person's shoulder and try to wake them up.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZDHaHQu2Y
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMIMvKbCGD
Just when my fingers were inches away, the person's left hand wrapped in a black glove, abruptly held my hand by the wrist. I gasped in fright and my heart beat quickened. I tried to back away, but the grip on my wrist tightened all the more that I felt my bone would snap.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs4uMve7ia
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CpeLwY8mu
"Aargh!" I yelled, trying to pull away, but to no avail.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1LZ5DL1fw
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIfvGVIv8G
The person hadn't even flinched and I wondered what could be running through his or her mind right now. By the grip around my wrist, I could tell this person is strong, and very dangerous.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM8LBJ2CXS
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2BrGcRvrj
"Let me go, you're hurting me!" I yelled.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnapto4EvI
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrNi04zqyz
The hand tightened again and this time, the pain was excruciating that I fell to my knees in the snow, yelling in pain. My bone is on the verge of snapping for sure.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaYpaYGY6d
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaizCUlzxx
"What are you doing? Let me go!"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBqXLhiLGl
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO5LD28Acf
The person finally moved, turning their head slightly just to look at me. I still couldn't make out a face because the person had a black mask covering the lower half of their face, and I couldn't make out the eyes.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5TFRStS6Q
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMc0Zf4Yxj
My other hand held on to the top of my towel, stopping it from falling. It would be embarrassing if it did and the person in front of me turns out to be a man. But that meant I couldn't even try to defend myself with my other hand held in a tight grip.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUTgIk0x5U
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40zs0glwkJ
"Please, let me go," I pleaded. My knees were buried deep into the snow and that made me freeze all the more.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodYW7jzXhR
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxZ5OthGyM
"What are you doing here?" the person asked in a female voice.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwclXgFpnK7
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6aQqKf2GT
I paused. The person is a she. I tried to say something but my mouth couldn't produce any words. There was something about her that made me shake even more.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJcfzO1Myk
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW63Fw0cb2
"I asked what you're doing here? You're not supposed to be here."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMwkVBTeAg
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqQQTZ3VPJ
"I-I," I stuttered. "I just found myself here. I..., I don't know how I got here."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsjK8sVJkK
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfeUHHWUzU
"Leave," she said as she pushed my hand away with so much force that I nearly fell in the snow on my side. I quickly held my aching wrist.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpFtMFAFQc
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6GiPzwMNC
"But I don't know how to get back," I said. I looked at my wrist. Where she had held me still ached. It also felt hot that I could see my skin redden despite how cold my body felt.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p8ecA2vz8
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQagTxlO8og
The person moved her head again like she was staring at the clouds up above. "This place isn't meant for you."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2CwPlvibV
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3kvbcVVan
"Yes, I can see that," I nervously chuckled. I stopped when she didn't say anything.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr96a0xp2T
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB3gs5a246
"Tell me how to get back," I said. "I can't stay here much longer."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvggJlPveCr
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcxyTBOLWW
"I can't help you," the woman replied, still looking upwards. "You'll have to figure it out on your own."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSDvNxsC6J
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZGLBUjSfv
She slowly stood up from where she sat and I realised that she had been sitting on a wooden plank. It was barely visible with all the snow around, slightly buried in it. Her black cloak almost reached her feet. I still couldn't see her face as she looked the other way.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6yrxZl5YE
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51dCUmtbHb
"How am I supposed to get back when I don't even know how I got here?" I asked.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtLUavnniO
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0C8gNY8Jt
"Like I said, you'll figure it out on your own," the woman said as she slowly started to walk away.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZsblW2o6l
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF7NtahbCj
"Wait, don't go," I called out to her as I stood up from the snow. I could feel my body freeze all over and I stared at my fingers. The cold was getting to me for sure. My fingers were numb and slowly starting to swell. The thought of them turning black due to frost bite terrified me.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTrSQBwSmX
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS5R5gz0WN
Soon, my body gave in and I found myself falling back onto the snow on my knees. What's happening to me?488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEseHZ4mDCR
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Bs3YYVBEj
I looked up at the woman slowly walking away into a vast emptiness ahead. There was a cold breeze and I knew I wasn't going to last much longer.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPykd2X6hAO
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMUMBM3JVl
"Please...," I said, my teeth starting to clatter against each other. "Help..., me."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rLJ7r6QQK
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjJVDEhQjo
The woman stopped walking and she slowly turned around to face me. What is she going to do? I couldn't read her intentions, not when I can't see her eyes under the hood.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuqP5ML7PG
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcf2wGu3cQ
All of a sudden, she came at me, fast. I didn't have time to react as I felt her hand around my neck.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J7wReZku2
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmlJBkgXO2
This time, she was close enough that I saw her eyes. They glowed a bright terrifying red, like that of a monster. I held her hand around my neck trying to push it away. She held me tight just like she did before, and she slowly brought me closer to her face. I could feel something strange from her, cold and dangerous that it would scare anyone away. I wonder why I didn't feel it earlier. It felt oddly familiar.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlwqsWMMkn
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNGI07C1Cm
"Whatever you do, don't you ever, ever come back here!" she yelled at me. "At least try not to."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc604UdmN5o
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pUMNAk6oV
She sounded calm and sincere on that last statement. I wonder why. Why is she so nice to me all of a sudden? She seemed like one who wandered off alone and didn't like to be around people, so I practically messed up her day by showing up here. I wish she couldn't hold my neck so tight if she really did care. But I couldn't speak with her hand squeezing my windpipe, and I simply didn't have the time to.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGWlt7Yz10
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9Cnuorn0C
Her red glowing eyes shined even brighter that I felt my eyes burn and start to water. Soon, I felt my whole face start to burn up too.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7ybQl09Cy
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvcNLNpFao
I tried letting out a scream, but I couldn't hear myself doing so. Everything around me started to disappear and all I could see was red. My whole body was burning up like I had been poured acid, melting away my skin. This time, I screamed for sure.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS2P37sFUf
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm65XEVv3mK
I open my eyes, finding myself back in the ablution near the sinks close to the now open door.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAymPWCsL2f
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR40e9dQSz
I start to look around. Where is all the snow and the trees? The woman? Am I really back? But how?488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM15lRgutUi
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPujiQmVxm
The ablution still remained empty with only me inside. Hadn't the morning bell rang? Where is everyone?488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtgnW5kHPX
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo36qfj5Wn3
I didn't need to panick as I heard the buckets by the tap area draw water and a few girls talking. I placed my hand onto my chest and drew out a breath. I'm really back. But then, I started to panic again. I quickly held my face and looked at the rest of my body. I thought my skin had been burnt beyond recognition. That would've been horrible. What if the other girls saw me in such a state? They would scream that's for sure.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSraI5WxC4
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR5JcIBXig
I turned around to look into the mirror above the sink. I'm okay, I told myself. Thank goodness. I went on ahead to run a hand around my neck where the woman had held me. There weren't any marks. I looked down at my left wrist. No marks there either. This is strange. What I had experienced felt real, almost like my encounter with Death. I never came out without a wound or a scratch, but I really did die that day. How come the encounter with the woman felt different yet oddly familiar at the same time?488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPSbfUymMY
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVYnglCzPE
I couldn't dwell on that for now, as a girl came into the ablution in her pyjamas, carrying a bucket. I had to go and get dressed. Standing here made me feel like the whole place would get cold again.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY10DOfXluQ
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKmYWTIiXW
I walked out of the ablution with my bucket in hand and headed for the dorm. When I got there, almost everyone was out of bed. A few were still asleep. Christine was one of them.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWply9FzZG
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs3cAuZsVu
"Wake up, you," I said as I came to our bunk and gently slapped her on the cheek.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARTPddUddF
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHQF2cQyEi
"Awwh, Diana!" she protested as she turned around to face the other side.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMPhckA8id
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGKqCWywRZ
"You're forgetting that today is Saturday," I said as I went to the other side of the bunk to get dressed.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7roWNNeC5
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5IoRXCTYQ
"You said it yourself. It's Saturday."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtCywSvseO
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LbBgPA6Vw
"It's inspection day."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz8d8ERfD8
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptwD94wUWD
She quickly sat up on her elbow to look at me. "I thought inspection is tomorrow."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbozMjI3CtQ
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArzxFnig6d
"Inspection day last week was on a Sunday."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJhr4BSwa5
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8t3EtEZHW
"Ahhh!" she muttered as she fell back in the covers. "Now I really need to get up."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ0WCIFu73
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytAjLANPZ7
"You surely do."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr2eZ13SD8
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzuWUJxfPh
Christine soon sat up and jumped down from the top bunk, landing with a loud thud. I've always told her not to do that. There are ladders on the bunk beds for us to get down safely. I certainly didn't feel like reminding her today. My words always fell on deaf ears.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVe5ZK55uP
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatp4COW2Oa
"How come you managed to bath so early?" she asked.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx4DDv80n5
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ9ivU1E0y
"I woke up early," I answered as I opened my suitcase to get my lotion.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VPqlEJEUR
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVY1MxDb5Y
"I better go," she said as she got her slippers from under the bunk. She took her bucket and towel, before making her way to the door.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkegc5LiROA
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJC8Ew30OK
As I dressed up, putting on my white shirt and plain black skirt, I remembered how cold I felt in that place full of snow. For once, I felt grateful that I'm back. I really thought I was going to die there.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyjOOCBNwq
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoFkH5rEUZ
I soon sat on my bed and looked around the dorm. Almost all the bunk beds were empty. Pretty much everybody is in the ablution right now. I had plenty of time to myself, so I might just head out to do my morning chores. It might be the weekend, but we still have duties to attend to.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmUguZU2eE
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheOkGKULrQ
Then it happened again. A weird chill down my spine. I held the back of my neck and shuddered. What is this feeling? And why do I feel I've to go outside?488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uQ5OkU90V
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AUFY40BlA
I got up from the bunk, making my way out of the dorm. In doing so, I looked over at Amanda's bunk. It was empty, her bed properly made. I tried not to look at the bunk bed next to hers; Chisha's. I try to ignore this feeling I've about her after that dream I had, but I realise that it's hard to do so. With everything I've gone through lately, I feel there's a lot I don't know about.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc3YbfgPlJ
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7HJK6CO8R
I soon found myself by the door and just as I walked out of the room, I almost ran into Chisha. Well..., my morning couldn't get any weirder.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ej5UDeDg9
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTdrFfnFf7
"Morning, Diana," said Chisha.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrImkzazD4F
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsEn0MEpV1
"Morning," I said.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBElEZOsuSD
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkWE4vu9Hj
We didn't speak any further as she entered the dorm and I walked down the corridor, heading out of the dorm area. I still had this weird feeling about her. I wish I knew why. If I do find out what it is, something tells me it won't be pretty.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHT002PmSk
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ816woRrmI
I went through the gate that lead the way out, and as soon as I was on the other side, I noticed that the environment around me felt so peaceful. There was no one around. Far ahead was the garden, and next to it the poultry. I remembered what happened there yesterday.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ue4YzGpbY
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJCzPSJ49r
A thought struck me. I'm supposed to meet Stella and the others today. But I shouldn't worry since one of them would come and get me.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrGKO3vuiT
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7LAVcENMJ
I started to make my way to the dining area. My dorm mates and I had switched from working at the orchard to the dining. There's always a switch in duties among dormitories.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7ZsabzqtB
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMWJk9oX2f
On my way, I passed the library, and ahead was the garage where the school packed it's truck and also where they kept other equipment like the brooms used for sweeping the outside area. I hoped that the garage was open, but it was locked. Lucky enough, someone was kind enough to leave the brooms outside.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhOv1kw3F9
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbjgxEKSmH
As soon as I reached the garage door, I took one of the brooms. I was about to head for the dining hall right in front of me when the wind blew and I felt a weird chill down my spine, stronger this time. It's as if there's someone behind me.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSPkJAxTUr
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJm2vb6EzJ
I turned around. There's nobody there. Strange.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQYYRTaH0g
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr2gDehhwm
I turned back around, and immediately I did, I found myself bumping into something that clearly wasn't there before. I hit my forehead and nose in the process.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZJuX15GoF
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTxpbtsrNp
"Ouch," I muttered, holding my nose. My eyes started to water because of the pain.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfpGQDfpTV
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXh71sknkX
"You really should be looking where you're going," came a male voice in front of me.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyznQ81hssb
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh38LruCTq0
I opened my watery eyes and the first thing that caught my eye was a purple cloak.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekoYezL9cq
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtzCS5mMse
I quickly took a step back and beneath the hood was the man from yesterday. I didn't get to see his face then, but this time, I did.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nSgl5ciIT
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AgOZhjyin
His mouth raised up into a smile. A corky one for that matter.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FxT9AGSrf
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03aYW9f46I
"You're the man from yesterday," I said, still holding my nose.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOdPzH5rOw
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCq5TaK0Vt
"Yes, I am," he said. "You probably don't know my name. I'm Ryan. I see you got my signal."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewyeFrMDEK
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqSwnRSUWd
I didn't say anything as I continued to look at him. I soon dropped my hand. I noticed that his eyes were blue like the sky above me. They reminded me of my grandmother- my mother's mum- who also started to develop blue eyes due to her old age. But his were a much deeper blue than hers.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIZ7isJRtF
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCfWAOfWxo
"Wait..., what signal?" I asked.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2RKd5plPC
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9bUWXBe74
"You didn't feel anything strange back in your room?" he asked with a worrying look on his face.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1RfYkhB5a
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGGd1qV7sm
I soon remembered the weird chill I felt back in the dorm as I held the back of my neck. He should have signaled me at a better time than that.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnH9Yi4CLe
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F9OgcEWaH
"If we're done with introductions," he said, "let's get going."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2zYZ8F6Z0
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwU4RsDCR5
"Wait, you're taking me with you right now?" I asked just when he was about to turn around and lead the way.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPQyE8g52X
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWrl50urI5
"That was the agreement, wasn't it?" he asked with his eyebrow raised.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKY5SQHUBZH
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzC04UpXLLC
"Ummm...," I turned to look behind me to see if anyone had shown up. Hard luck. I turned back to him. "Do you think it's okay if I don't go right now?"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa98CAelEz
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HY6DWvKR1
He gave me a serious look and I regretted saying that. He had his hands cupped before him, obviously contemplating about who knows what.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gh3vJQHTl
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe2npBPOEY
"Didn't we agree that your training starts today?" he asked.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6jTAcjJ0p
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDXytAoAbs
"If you think about it, you ordered that training starts today. I practically didn't agree on anything."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77ouPO6a8T
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAIs3zkPMe
"Don't try to wiggle your way out of this, Diana." He leaned closer. "Your training is of utmost importance."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEksnvnEL9P
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOxoiYznHA
"But how important is it? So much is happening right now that no one's telling me. Your people seem to know, but I've to go through training before I get a reasonable explanation."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf8PcPgWmb
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkWMhSkBi7
"We know you don't understand what's going on and that's why we want to help you."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUenr05MyTS
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RCmC1Bzne
"Oh, really? And how is this 'training' going to help me?" This time I raised my eyebrow at him.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL4hWhBO1J
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bThG7Iw4z
"It's going to give you the answers you're looking for and to get you prepared." The corner of Ryan's lips raised up into a smile.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGxG4YzruN
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDQxwy35nK
"Is it physical? Am I going to learn some kind of skill?"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn131yR6J6
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU4BeUfn4i
"All these questions are going to make my head ache." He straightened himself. "Come on, we better hurry."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmJY9YLRWy
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJEsJXHv53
"Wait a minute," I said, stopping him from turning around again.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5KCOjFzXq
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ790YB6BrKw
"What now?" I could tell in his voice that he's irritated. I probably looked like an annoying child that wouldn't stop bothering him.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9Jz3dE4xC
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfSQadLXCP
"I've my duties to do first and there's breakfast that I can't miss. Also-"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZlAPSrK75
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UGmQKi1CX
"Hold on a minute, young lady," Ryan held up his hand to stop me from talking, "all that doesn't matter. No one is going to notice that you're gone."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz30D3V9jl
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37oWWFzqH9
"Are you sure? I may not be the most popular girl around, but I've friends that will notice that I'm not here."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJtBHNoBYd
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwH2aAAEOP
"That's why I'm telling you, no one will notice. Not even them. And if you're worried about breakfast, you'll have something at the island. We don't want you training on an empty stomach."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqyEu552rM
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT7RjfTUtH
"Oh..., this training is physical, then?"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZy1awOwEq
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTgHxxq3Yd
"You'll see when we get there. Can we please go now?"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBicjoy8JC
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5fS1inizt
"Well..., alright." I dropped the broom onto the ground.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZglpGiuEr
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxb18QhXOF
"Good," said Ryan as he finally turned around. "You ask too many questions for your own good. You can't have an answer to everything."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KBOwaZY7o
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87g4tZLaDG
"I hope it won't come to that," I answered as he lead the way behind the garage.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuAIqLRj7f
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NaPFrxTfR
I heard him scoff. "Some day you'll."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23aOJymLHL
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8nyYd15dm
We stopped behind the garage and beyond it were houses. The teacher's compound. No one was allowed there except the prefects in case any emergency occurred in school that required any of the teachers' attention.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcAP332QlK
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdns5CYsLA
I turned to look at Ryan who now faced the wall of the garage. With his right hand he reached for something inside his right sleeve. He pulled out what looked like a long straight stick, purple in colour. It was then that I realized that it wasn't a stick, but a pencil. I wondered what he was going to do with it as he approached the wall. He looked at the wall as though contemplating on something. Then with the pencil, he begun to draw.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6RTktZNAl
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7k33fLiV0
"What are you doing?" I asked, surprised that someone like him would graffiti the wall. "That's not allowed."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWkMJAFENO
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTz5UOIBmXS
"I'm drawing us a way out of here," he replied. I noticed that the purple pencil had a purple lead instead of black, leaving a trail like a thick crayon.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U57l42oVD
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtViqbiyuZ
"How is drawing going to take us where we need to go?"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6OUtebqLM
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMhmmFuzil
"Already full of questions, huh?" Ryan asked as he finished drawing a full round circle, almost his height. "Don't you watch fantasy movies?"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVvZDp0Qox
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw2cCBn3lp
"Of course I watch fantasy movies," I said, upset with him questioning me about such. If anything, I am a big fan of fantasy.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0zW8oEfZD
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy3L4EgsUD
"Good, then you should know that everything isn't always as it seems." He started to draw something inside the circle. "You've heard of teleporting from one place to another, right?"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnW0DIr0KTq
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8OaD7W7PC
"I have. For you to do so, two places are supposed to be linked together, hence taking you through in what seems like an invisible doorway to the other side. There are other cases that don't apply to such where you can teleport however you want."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK684cy0gh1
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X4JGs5JSN
"Good, you're sharp, I can give you that," he said as he continued to draw. The drawing started to take shape of a butterfly.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u0WWYrhhk
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWUFyj2Va8
"So this drawing will lead us to the island?"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcerj1wNEfM
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1htVvWwkyF
"Yes. There's a matching butterfly symbol on the island; many of them actually, but one of them acts like a doorway. You can easily come and go to the island, but you need to learn something important first." He finished the drawing of the butterfly dissected into four parts.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly34sWERap
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlcQfN4bSf
"What is it?"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqM5RpjNll
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Re0fL2rqs
"How to use it. It's not some ordinary drawing. You need to activate it for it to act as a doorway."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIncMjTpbMK
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE9CFbTnCg
"How do you activate it?"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc2InDh1iz
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasM4cFjspB
"By a chant." He turned to look at me.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw39NM2AUiL
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvlxhFjVRp
"A chant? Meaning I've to say something?"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDrTllxXyQ
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxV5iJp3Oi
"Yes. The bad part is, you don't know the language yet."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1SBYnhsop
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5THI90VsPF
"Oh..., that language," I muttered as I remembered the writings I saw on the doorway of the Butterfly Temple.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLQ1t851W8
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX9EjsUIge
"Don't worry, it isn't as hard as you think." Ryan beamed at me.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BwGo43mH3
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJZ50W4kbM
"Easy for you to say. I've the man in green teaching it to me."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2uEHWsQFw
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx8siENRNF
"He's a handful, but Bob isn't that bad when you get to know him."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW58zVL8Vf
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUVGkdju28
"I beg to differ," I quietly muttered to myself as Ryan turned to look back at the drawing.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv2ovT0o66
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuN2lesLdF
"Okay, we better get going."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEuzUcxSPj
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JYrzk5ltV
Ryan stretched out his hand and laid it on the drawing. He soon started to chant in a strange language I had never heard before. The air around started to change. It was getting warmer and I noticed the drawing on the wall start to glow.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveACLl0yHY
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGYpdt6fmr
Ryan stopped chanting and dropped his hand. Soon enough, the glow from the drawing had also died down. For a moment, I thought the wall would part in half revealing the other side, but so far, there was no change.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYXlzZnM93
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzApNYeaCHi
"Is that it?" I asked Ryan.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChhUpGJKC6
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFZtiI6C7B
"That is it," he said as he turned his head to look at me. "All we've to do is walk through." He pressed his hand onto the wall where the drawing was and it went right through.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqepu49JDzV
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqON72FX90
"Wow. But wait..., won't someone find the drawing and get dragged in by accident?"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoW0bPUkpq
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoTGh8rp5S
"That's a good question. No, they won't be able to see the drawing because I've concealed it from human eyes and from supernatural creatures, except you, of course. And don't worry, if anyone were to find themselves leaning on this part of the wall, they won't get dragged in."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4InOFdEdKg
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MrUFKKoVO
"So, I can use this doorway from now on to get to the island, right? Does that mean I can come visit whenever I want?"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSy5ChrQrz
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckyd1fCL2o
Ryan smacked his lips, and I realized that I wasn't going to like his answer.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8IdEEpzH3
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nsx8mrX8b
"For now, the doorway will open only when you're summoned for training. Until you learn the language, I'm afraid you can't come and go as you please."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuq25i5WOG
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzaG9DinIN
"But what if there's an emergency here and I need your help?"488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJi1t6iJ6Y
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCP9qOwoQp3
"Don't worry, there's something for that too. I'll tell you about it later. Right now, we've to get moving."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheaCRH92f8
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iJN8Ajv59
"Okay." I slumped my shoulders. Learning can sometimes be a pain, but something told me I might like what I'll learn at the island, even though it might take a toll on me.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId2rwTQv2Q
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxwe59uy2E
Ryan lead the way by walking towards the drawing and went through the wall, disappearing out of sight. I swallowed as I also took a step forward. When I approached, I closed my eyes just in case I find myself hitting the solid wall instead. I took another step and I felt myself stepping into a whole different world. There was a warm feeling around me, like I've been wrapped in a warm blanket. When I continued going forward, the effect soon subsided and I knew I was in a whole different environment.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNycv51v0a
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH8tco9W3u
"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Ryan asked.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusUbDOICzp
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaPVRJlUqC
I opened my eyes and I found myself in what looked like a lovely flower garden. I quickly turned to look behind me and there stood a bronze statue of the butterfly symbol. That's the other doorway Ryan was talking about, and it stood on a round stone dias.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXNpYQqSf2
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcbmnquUIB
"Come on, we better get going," said Ryan. I quickly turned to see him walk down the steps of the dais to the stone aisle below. "The others are waiting for us."488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnZViqn9SS
488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9KZ4nhDZb
I quickly rushed down to catch up to him towards what felt to me like an adventure.488Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLHswJ9eOm
