Five years ago518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUl3R5zv1xa
Mpunde Girls Secondary School518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX0Yz24MWp
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It's Saturday. Unlike other people, I now hate Saturdays. This is the one day I always got to enjoy when I was little, as it was one of the days that you don't get to go to school. You get to sleep late the night before and wake up whenever you felt like it. Now that I'm older and at a boarding school, Saturdays are almost like any other day of the week, especially when there's one thing happening that day: Inspection.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRdzHKnCIK
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I groaned as I lazily sat up in bed. The morning bell hadn't rang yet and I noticed that almost everyone in the dorm were on their bunk beds, fast asleep. The good thing about Saturdays is that we get to wake up an hour late from the usual time. I looked out of the window across the room and saw the sun slowing rising up to the east. It's only a matter of time before one of the prefects sounds the morning bell. I better get up and head for the showers when there's still time.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCPAG9V9sb
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I got out of bed on the down bunk and stood. I looked at Christine on the top bunk, sound asleep. She has a weird way of sleeping with her arms over her head and one foot out of the covers, dangling over the edge of the bed. I always had to be careful when getting up from the down bunk because of it.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktFIHfg3ih
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I wore my slippers and started to make my bed. At the far end of the room, I heard the noisy creak of a bunk. Someone's up early too. I soon heard the sound of slippers and I turned to look down the aisle. It's Chileshe, our dorm prefect.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOAezNNotL
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She stretched out her arms as she stood next to my bed. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she looked at me.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgt9yPgRCE
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"You're up early," she said and yawned afterwards.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcPKoeISzC
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"Yes, I am," I said as I folded the ends of the bed cover under the mattress. "How are you this morning?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKkUDyiMu9
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Chileshe had her hands on her hips as she arched her back, stretching.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOU7DgD1Ty
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"Ah, my body is aching because of sports," she answered. "And my legs feel like l've been wearing rocks for shoes."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqG5ZUWGhp
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"Ya, I get the feeling," I said as I smiled at her. It's funny how I didn't feel my body ache so much like it always does after sports.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vh6mkcN9C
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Chileshe yawned again and this time she tried to cover her mouth. She continued her way down the aisle for the door.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhGBe3lclF
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"I feel old already," I heard her mutter. I smiled at her as she walked away.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2bdrYwVdE
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After making the bed, I changed out of my pyjamas and took my bath towel on top of the suitcase and covered my body with it. I fetched for my toothbrush and toothpaste in the suitcase. After unscrewing the toothpaste tube, I squeezed out a bit of paste and placed it atop the bristles of my toothbrush. After putting the toothpaste away, I went to the other side of the bed where the small locker was together with my bucket and Christine's piled over the other. I took my first towel behind the locker. It had tiny rails on three sides, making it easier for us to hang our things there. I placed the towel in the bucket and took my soap case in the locker, placing it in the bucket as well.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEidX7miUi
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I straigthened up and noticed Christine move. I thought she was going to wake up, but she didn't. It's best not to disturb her. She didn't like to be disturbed on a weekend when she at least had an extra hour of sleep.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlqwp7EjcU
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With the toothbrush in my hand and the handle of my bucket in the other, I was ready to go for a bath. Just as I took a step into the aisle, I felt a weird sensation run through my neck. I froze for a minute, then turned around. I looked around the little space in between the bunk beds. I didn't seem to see anything unusual. My dorm mates on the next bunk were also fast asleep. What was that just now?518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe82ofo7CR
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I ignored it and walked down the aisle, heading out of the dorm.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp6LG12Lua
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When I stepped out, the first thing that caught my attention was the sunlight hitting the green leaves of the two trees on the lawns. A slight breeze blew past and the leaves swayed as though dancing to the soft tune of the wind. The whole dorm area is quiet. It felt exotic just to experience this moment of peace.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosDf2X9TXC
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I took in the lovely fresh air and smiled to myself as I headed for the ablution behind the dorms. So far, I hadn't met anyone on the way. The whole school must be asleep with probably a few of us awake at this time.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltAy9ZNoD4
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I found myself outside the ablution. I had to fetch water first in the bucket outside the ablution building.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmyDsMIgaQ
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The tap area was empty. I placed my bucket under one of the taps to draw water, then went inside the ablution. The place was cold and silent. It won't be long until the aisle gets flooded. I tried not to think about it as I went over to the sinks to brush my teeth.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ1n8L2ByE
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I ran my toothbrush a little under the open tap and placed it in my mouth. As I brushed, I heard one of the doors from either one of the shower cubicles or toilets draw open. I figured it must be Chileshe or somebody else. I spat out the toothpaste and rinsed with water. After spitting it out, I turned my head a little to see who is heading out of the ablution. But then, something struck my mind.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJuNAMEQ0Y
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I hadn't heard any footsteps.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7WZLyut31
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I fully turned around to look behind me and I saw no one standing in the aisle. This is creepy. I couldn't even tell which door opened because most of the doors to the shower and toilet cubicles were either closed or opened. Some of them stood slightly ajar. I'm freaking out for no reason. Maybe one of the doors flew open due to the wind. The funny thing is, I never felt any breeze pass through the door the whole time I was in here.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7DPrGqLWR
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I walked out of the ablution not thinking too much about it. These things happen. The last thing I want is to think about ghosts and what not.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6lTaA1bNb
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Outside the tap area, I found my bucket overflowing with water and I quickly closed the tap. Soon enough, Chileshe walked out of the ablution.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJxbzNkDkO
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I didn't say anything as she headed for the dorm area. Maybe it was her whom I had heard. I almost blew out a sigh of relief, but I soon realised that I had my toothbrush in between my teeth. The last thing I want is for it to drop to the ground. The tuck shop where we buy most of our necessities from rarely opens on the weekends.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2EB9IHWte
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I went inside the ablution and got to the first shower cubicle. I swung the little wooden door open with my foot and stepped inside with the bucket and the soap case. Once I closed the door, I started to bath.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rhxSdaroX
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I hummed to myself a familiar song. It's nice to have the entire ablution to yourself sometimes. You get to make as much noise as you want. It sometimes reminds me of how much noise I would make back home in the bathroom.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARi3wCDllo
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As I poured water all over my body, I thought I heard a noise outside the shower cubicle.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuewqYAuYxh
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I stopped what I was doing to hear, but after a long quiet pause, I continued to bathe.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGcomdgqCq
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Within a few minutes, I heard the faint sound of the metal bell being hit. It's time for the whole school to wake up. I'm already done with my bath. I wrapped and tied the bath towel around my body, poured away the remaining water in the bucket and stepped out of the cubicle. I heard the faint sound of footsteps outside, and I knew some girls were making their way to the ablution.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr9pIHA7kj
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I'm about to head out, when I hear something fall to the floor with a loud thud. I looked down the aisle. It felt like the noise came from the far end of the ablution.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwi1iwHlYF
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Should I go and check it out, I ask myself. I don't think it's anything to worry about. I decide to go out when the door to the ablution soon shut itself in front of me. I stare at it, startled. Did it just close in on itself? There was no one standing outside to have done so.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWC3YLCawH
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I turned back to look at the far end of the ablution and soon, the whole place grew colder than usual. The hair at the back of my neck stood up. I felt a sudden presence hiding behind the corner of the last shower cubicle, their breathing echoing around the ablution. Or was it just me?518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG7ivdjtiU
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I started to rub my arms with my hands. The place felt like a freezer now. I breathed out through my mouth and saw cold mist lingering in the air before disappearing. What's going on here?
The deep breathing at the corner became much deeper this time. I wonder who could be behind there. Should I go and see who it is? The thought of doing so, made me freak out a little as I felt my heart start to beat faster. All this made me remember something that I wish I could forget.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXr6M94QjN
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The day I met Death.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYopBmRuJE
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I took a step back and found myself hitting my back onto the sink that was now icy cold. I looked around and noticed the place slowly getting covered in ice. I started to shiver like crazy now. Did Death finally catch up to me like he said he would? Was this really the end for me?518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqKOcYtJwr
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The floor beneath was covered with ice and I shivered like hell. If Death really is here, he would have faced me like he did before. Why isn't he doing so now?518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrCmGLcQyn
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The breathing continued at the far end and I thought, if he isn't going to face me, I better go to him, ending this once and for all.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcrk9bCu1d
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I dropped my almost frozen bucket onto the icy floor and slowly walked down the aisle, shivering. As I walked, snow started to fall from the ceiling. I looked up and didn't see the tinned roof, but white clouds. I looked back down and it was then that I realised that I wasn't in the ablution. Where there was supposed to be a line of shower and toilet cubicles, stood a line of tall pine trees covered in snow.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBdKn79DZG
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Where am I? Snow and pine trees? What is this place? How did I get here?518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemqPSLWFmu
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I stopped on my tracks and for a second, I forgot how cold I felt. I had never experienced snow before. I couldn't believe it. It never snows in Zambia. It never has. We do experience very cold winters in June and July, and sometimes during the rainy seasons. But it has never snowed before. I am definitely somewhere else.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZs2x9bJ0h
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I held out my hand and a few snowflakes fell onto my open palm. It was then that I noticed my hands were very pale. I remembered the day I met Death. I was just as cold as this, but there wasn't any snow or trees around.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk1Z8vQzhf
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The deep breathing I heard earlier caught my attention again, and I followed the noise. Maybe if I found whoever is there, they might help me out. If I stayed out here like this in only a towel and slippers, I'll freeze to death. Now that surely would be the end of me.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gDc3hisqI
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The pine trees were neatly lined up on either side, and I continued to walk down the aisle to whoever was straight ahead. It's a pity I couldn't move fast enough with all the thick snow at my feet, slowing me down. Not to mention my legs were growing numb due to the cold that moving them felt like I had stones tied around my feet.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zKUPrpsTo
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The person's breathing grew louder and within minutes, I found myself at the end of the aisle where the line of trees ended. And in front of me stood a vast land of snow, covering the ground for hundreds of miles.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNlV63TKTg
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I continued to look onwards hoping to see if there were any buildings nearby or a few trees like the ones behind me, but no luck.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0p9n2qKza
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I shivered and I continued to breath heavily. My lungs were getting affected by the cold. Now I see why people in the Northern Hemisphere who experience snow get to wear a lot of warm clothes. I am in dire need of them right now.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOtaviHs6G
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I heard deep breathing again and I quickly looked to my left towards the last tree on the aisle. I saw a black cloth on the snow behind the tree. There was someone seated there on the snow with their back against the tree wrapped in a black cotton blanket or something. The head was tilted to the side that I couldn't see the person's face.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuVQFawBpC
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"Hello?" I called out as I slowly approached.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa71iT1f3k9
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The person didn't respond and I noticed that the person wore a black hood over their head. I stopped for moment, thinking that I've stumbled upon Death while he's asleep. But then, I realised that the person under the hood is human. Death wouldn't be leaning against a tree in the middle of nowhere taking a nap, would he?518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSLzBaUxZY
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I slowly continued my approach and was within arms length. I stretched out my cold, shivering hand to hold the person's shoulder and try to wake them up.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHaaAPtkKq
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Just when my fingers were inches away, the person's left hand wrapped in a black glove, abruptly held my hand by the wrist. I gasped in fright and my heart beat quickened. I tried to back away, but the grip on my wrist tightened all the more that I felt my bone would snap.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2AE0YSOZZ
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"Aargh!" I yelled, trying to pull away, but to no avail.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuK6LQkKfK
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The person hadn't even flinched and I wondered what could be running through his or her mind right now. By the grip around my wrist, I could tell this person is strong, and very dangerous.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtETB6yccFj
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"Let me go, you're hurting me!" I yelled.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlQcROhDLi
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The hand tightened again and this time, the pain was excruciating that I fell to my knees in the snow, yelling in pain. My bone is on the verge of snapping for sure.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DTfRNjl0r
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"What are you doing? Let me go!"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAkOS1hdHs
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The person finally moved, turning their head slightly just to look at me. I still couldn't make out a face because the person had a black mask covering the lower half of their face, and I couldn't make out the eyes.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsumkxSCfgk
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My other hand held on to the top of my towel, stopping it from falling. It would be embarrassing if it did and the person in front of me turns out to be a man. But that meant I couldn't even try to defend myself with my other hand held in a tight grip.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU3v1G4oq6
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"Please, let me go," I pleaded. My knees were buried deep into the snow and that made me freeze all the more.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIBvpuZugN
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"What are you doing here?" the person asked in a female voice.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRWDSPHNVF
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I paused. The person is a she. I tried to say something but my mouth couldn't produce any words. There was something about her that made me shake even more.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIpWmESxlk
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"I asked what you're doing here? You're not supposed to be here."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O2wj4dWkw
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"I-I," I stuttered. "I just found myself here. I..., I don't know how I got here."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62B1JAviKS
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"Leave," she said as she pushed my hand away with so much force that I nearly fell in the snow on my side. I quickly held my aching wrist.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS3W16mcGN
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"But I don't know how to get back," I said. I looked at my wrist. Where she had held me still ached. It also felt hot that I could see my skin redden despite how cold my body felt.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKtSxWo1fZ
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The person moved her head again like she was staring at the clouds up above. "This place isn't meant for you."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISuphgWbLd
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"Yes, I can see that," I nervously chuckled. I stopped when she didn't say anything.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJP58paIyM
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"Tell me how to get back," I said. "I can't stay here much longer."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60Fo5DS5Ag
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"I can't help you," the woman replied, still looking upwards. "You'll have to figure it out on your own."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEcs5NDUgM
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She slowly stood up from where she sat and I realised that she had been sitting on a wooden plank. It was barely visible with all the snow around, slightly buried in it. Her black cloak almost reached her feet. I still couldn't see her face as she looked the other way.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0FcHZZj9m
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"How am I supposed to get back when I don't even know how I got here?" I asked.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD2unnKWlN
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"Like I said, you'll figure it out on your own," the woman said as she slowly started to walk away.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBWag4ILOa
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"Wait, don't go," I called out to her as I stood up from the snow. I could feel my body freeze all over and I stared at my fingers. The cold was getting to me for sure. My fingers were numb and slowly starting to swell. The thought of them turning black due to frost bite terrified me.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpSewEqgkr
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Soon, my body gave in and I found myself falling back onto the snow on my knees. What's happening to me?518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OxilR0uHi
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I looked up at the woman slowly walking away into a vast emptiness ahead. There was a cold breeze and I knew I wasn't going to last much longer.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbhQVTjeYM
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"Please...," I said, my teeth starting to clatter against each other. "Help..., me."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkClbSsr0P5
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The woman stopped walking and she slowly turned around to face me. What is she going to do? I couldn't read her intentions, not when I can't see her eyes under the hood.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygXuW6Gkoh
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All of a sudden, she came at me, fast. I didn't have time to react as I felt her hand around my neck.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz5hbgy4gX
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This time, she was close enough that I saw her eyes. They glowed a bright terrifying red, like that of a monster. I held her hand around my neck trying to push it away. She held me tight just like she did before, and she slowly brought me closer to her face. I could feel something strange from her, cold and dangerous that it would scare anyone away. I wonder why I didn't feel it earlier. It felt oddly familiar.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcgrfMZ8Xc
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"Whatever you do, don't you ever, ever come back here!" she yelled at me. "At least try not to."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI7eJe2KIO
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrTEn17Nen
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qTNd2fHbQ
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEw96xKO6z
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwCifWFCcu
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfd5Kkayge
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPJcOmOMRt
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRrtaeM3Pt
I open my eyes, finding myself back in the ablution near the sinks close to the now open door.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1k95necPN
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaWHLA2cw9
I start to look around. Where is all the snow and the trees? The woman? Am I really back? But how?518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduAKbsyeAz
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEW9ZwIMK6
The ablution still remained empty with only me inside. Hadn't the morning bell rang? Where is everyone?518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0nOWrcTZn
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBtyNtvfCi
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAhaJ0nu5l
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzvTl3DbKG
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?518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGRasRCx7k
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnuzUJcc85
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtYUte7Ucx
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuoNTtZxyW
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yxUZUpyTx
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSMw75XJNO
"Wake up, you," I said as I came to our bunk and gently slapped her on the cheek.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzRtgtJciF
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vt3DLS9XP
"Awwh, Diana!" she protested as she turned around to face the other side.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcxVV7zQx1
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcFn6iizGW
"You're forgetting that today is Saturday," I said as I went to the other side of the bunk to get dressed.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPojaiGbaKc
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEDwh3NupL
"You said it yourself. It's Saturday."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU71XDizAsc
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBbPUB8B2m
"It's inspection day."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYlbohEnaN
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS7go4wXPM
She quickly sat up on her elbow to look at me. "I thought inspection is tomorrow."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI4E1n7i1E
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrKbDtsEjV
"Inspection day last week was on a Sunday."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YcAinzs7n
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04fllFrTGh
"Ahhh!" she muttered as she fell back in the covers. "Now I really need to get up."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wniczuAl9
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreRiWLFyHg
"You surely do."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokEqIfXEHQ
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU86Q6R69R
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpK4Dmih9j
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aWvgqJKA3
"How come you managed to bath so early?" she asked.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjyMTGAlF8
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dDclalWrt
"I woke up early," I answered as I opened my suitcase to get my lotion.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbTFHhr0a2
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCo43EP798
"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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIDcqaxI3C
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1l5Jqq7mC
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNO4HBmDIY
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1q6Rif1oVr
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCZqF8G1Xm
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVstana4F1
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?518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ4BvWs4IT
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZxzhiCwQU
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGMVMcz7Sz
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vxciCOg0e
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkcFXjo7Qd
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6haSRprTwY
"Morning, Diana," said Chisha.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb9YhxkrdP
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hMx3lm5pH
"Morning," I said.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkRUGybbbk
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DuP2LuluC
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw0mSUnk2U
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMFIUhlG5N
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkc7mTPjhjr
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6L0ZApJfB
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHunIGzVyoW
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgJT0edUtk
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMnbXEhDzu
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTGq5brNsA
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjQNWDyEam
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l4g1a36of
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH40Qdb9j0
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhnYHBKgXS
I turned around. There's nobody there. Strange.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61Eb8RCEzv
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk4iiRVDZp
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCCJId5zrf
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6THKE1BX7i
"Ouch," I muttered, holding my nose. My eyes started to water because of the pain.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUOmR8UEw1
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi7DvAHHli
"You really should be looking where you're going," came a male voice in front of me.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeBwS9GeQe
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U8xPKcjHB
I opened my watery eyes and the first thing that caught my eye was a purple cloak.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XuDbA1Oj0
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvB6uMeVOF
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc6Hw4EPX8
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRDcXemTMm
His mouth raised up into a smile. A corky one for that matter.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7EnrmgdfS
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliVDWhVkJt
"You're the man from yesterday," I said, still holding my nose.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYxsJB2wws
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi81P8YVHP
"Yes, I am," he said. "You probably don't know my name. I'm Ryan. I see you got my signal."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYArW0y3XK
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazhuzlr7CA
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyih0W3uQ9
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZcgPpyKkf
"Wait..., what signal?" I asked.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QVSD6TRkx
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LmIybmV9V
"You didn't feel anything strange back in your room?" he asked with a worrying look on his face.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsB6tPTa4d
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoIQV8Rhj0
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiDbJ9ae0Z
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5IsdKacR5
"If we're done with introductions," he said, "let's get going."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VMwGigYZd
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0lgUnZMd9
"Wait, you're taking me with you right now?" I asked just when he was about to turn around and lead the way.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCGy9kZBqp
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTAEidTSUX
"That was the agreement, wasn't it?" he asked with his eyebrow raised.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoEWzJZTo7
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr3Jfx6K61
"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?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMG8jUo6cC
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpLHdmDbB3
He gave me a serious look and I regretted saying that. He had his hands cupped before him, obviously contemplating about who knows what.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO4HWsEqnQ
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rQnq4BBkD
"Didn't we agree that your training starts today?" he asked.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVr3tPYsxE
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqZ7pagbHA
"If you think about it, you ordered that training starts today. I practically didn't agree on anything."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYodKSzPiQb
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlCXIRvQL7
"Don't try to wiggle your way out of this, Diana." He leaned closer. "Your training is of utmost importance."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtRrQgqGST
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZfUSpwCs3
"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."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVxMGhtgCe
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl26X0yDho
"We know you don't understand what's going on and that's why we want to help you."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE2I6gWpJI
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLdayK4RdC
"Oh, really? And how is this 'training' going to help me?" This time I raised my eyebrow at him.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw7NvoYc47
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrd4AneIFf
"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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsf7g54sPrJ
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrfJKnD30I
"Is it physical? Am I going to learn some kind of skill?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rErpUyldQ
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndt5lQYFWd
"All these questions are going to make my head ache." He straightened himself. "Come on, we better hurry."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWABz0fpRu
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcVIO5yiYC
"Wait a minute," I said, stopping him from turning around again.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZZVugzuPK
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsndFX3FpHg
"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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOL6vcLr8P
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6HG2D5tWH
"I've my duties to do first and there's breakfast that I can't miss. Also-"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SeDNRHpsj
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2yDuBnSjz
"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."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNj473XXrt
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDk2m1085R
"Are you sure? I may not be the most popular girl around, but I've friends that will notice that I'm not here."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPAROfFU62
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUERai9UCT
"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."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc9t0e74Ty
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UwuvedrlA
"Oh..., this training is physical, then?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3PCMrMMjO
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqmWTctTrj
"You'll see when we get there. Can we please go now?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSytF3F3FW
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYPaKn475R
"Well..., alright." I dropped the broom onto the ground.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNECQnmjuq
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqAYai8VEg
"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."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcqVDTJxQ5
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibR9Yq02sX
"I hope it won't come to that," I answered as he lead the way behind the garage.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4PQBLVZHT
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoVsLJ2v17
I heard him scoff. "Some day you'll."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20fLkHXazR
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ws6dPo9Ht
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ8SxR9xdL
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1mG8LHR52
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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUb4O0nTQD
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM10YJE0B2
"What are you doing?" I asked, surprised that someone like him would graffiti the wall. "That's not allowed."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff9jB2Be8W
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcbntay95J
"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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05CPjwqRJx
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Bms121RPh
"How is drawing going to take us where we need to go?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHBq4XDCHB
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3Or1E6b9r
"Already full of questions, huh?" Ryan asked as he finished drawing a full round circle, almost his height. "Don't you watch fantasy movies?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk5IwjcYUq
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwy628VZjn
"Of course I watch fantasy movies," I said, upset with him questioning me about such. If anything, I am a big fan of fantasy.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpwQprjcjT
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniPJsADg8p
"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?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXAMgtT12N
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXdQqckvnH
"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."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNNO0wDfcQ
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lfzNRzyAR
"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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIVNAeIwIy
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30ZvUcK8gy
"So this drawing will lead us to the island?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg0z2Sghd2
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdjQXYRLse
"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.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRz8zSOhkW
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfDuWqHmI1
"What is it?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EI98V1kN7
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LjN2V1Ytu
"How to use it. It's not some ordinary drawing. You need to activate it for it to act as a doorway."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4q2B8aqRy
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNsa0ddiJG
"How do you activate it?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0PQ1DpvgT
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRejRJ73WQ
"By a chant." He turned to look at me.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApLfkaspfP
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy07Huzzk6J
"A chant? Meaning I've to say something?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ifjUpLkEO
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU0wDfUxVa
"Yes. The bad part is, you don't know the language yet."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBbHSp5Hy1
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"Oh..., that language," I muttered as I remembered the writings I saw on the doorway of the Butterfly Temple.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMSfaOqa6g
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"Don't worry, it isn't as hard as you think." Ryan beamed at me.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinlF76spsW
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"Easy for you to say. I've the man in green teaching it to me."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeHQcprriE
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"He's a handful, but Bob isn't that bad when you get to know him."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsiOHhxsrL
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"I beg to differ," I quietly muttered to myself as Ryan turned to look back at the drawing.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzeRX8j9OT
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"Okay, we better get going."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcq1OvJWdw
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Ryan stretched out his hand and laid it on the drawing. He soon started to chant in a strange language I had never heard before. The air around started to change. It was getting warmer and I noticed the drawing on the wall start to glow.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1Zxltzp7R
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Ryan stopped chanting and dropped his hand. Soon enough, the glow from the drawing had also died down. For a moment, I thought the wall would part in half revealing the other side, but so far, there was no change.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbChrIfXCM
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"Is that it?" I asked Ryan.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd14jXDaIwW
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"That is it," he said as he turned his head to look at me. "All we've to do is walk through." He pressed his hand onto the wall where the drawing was and it went right through.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHqp6PJgHy
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4BDXE3P0d
"Wow. But wait..., won't someone find the drawing and get dragged in by accident?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DbF5qTvdS
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"That's a good question. No, they won't be able to see the drawing because I've concealed it from human eyes and from supernatural creatures, except you, of course. And don't worry, if anyone were to find themselves leaning on this part of the wall, they won't get dragged in."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpDg3BwEl6
518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0v61rTz4B
"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?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rz8ByoKoL
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Ryan smacked his lips, and I realized that I wasn't going to like his answer.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBHreoA7di
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"For now, the doorway will open only when you're summoned for training. Until you learn the language, I'm afraid you can't come and go as you please."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV3zi6QQWa
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"But what if there's an emergency here and I need your help?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbaMo8kdCC
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"Don't worry, there's something for that too. I'll tell you about it later. Right now, we've to get moving."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqInqwlTzYE
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"Okay." I slumped my shoulders. Learning can sometimes be a pain, but something told me I might like what I'll learn at the island, even though it might take a toll on me.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbJvtSw0dQ
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Ryan lead the way by walking towards the drawing and went through the wall, disappearing out of sight. I swallowed as I also took a step forward. When I approached, I closed my eyes just in case I find myself hitting the solid wall instead. I took another step and I felt myself stepping into a whole different world. There was a warm feeling around me, like I've been wrapped in a warm blanket. When I continued going forward, the effect soon subsided and I knew I was in a whole different environment.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyQbyGsGG9
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"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Ryan asked.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5s85gLXJv
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I opened my eyes and I found myself in what looked like a lovely flower garden. I quickly turned to look behind me and there stood a bronze statue of the butterfly symbol. That's the other doorway Ryan was talking about, and it stood on a round stone dias.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DQ6LRE9zs
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"Come on, we better get going," said Ryan. I quickly turned to see him walk down the steps of the dais to the stone aisle below. "The others are waiting for us."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXYE69ipMb
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I quickly rushed down to catch up to him towards what felt to me like an adventure.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyKh0f7FZe
