Five years ago537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxt1k5hD4I
Mpunde Girls Secondary School537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QCyCVHEkE
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtOw0dH1Pm
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2ILTfDDUi
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kdXdjNwwa
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51DH32DctN
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR9QuhyELj
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"You're up early," she said and yawned afterwards.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQep8QYLiiQ
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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?"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlI3Wgwt50
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Chileshe had her hands on her hips as she arched her back, stretching.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOau7nS8loi
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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."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQieWCLsGT
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2uKIrqV25
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm968QmuALw
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"I feel old already," I heard her mutter. I smiled at her as she walked away.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ3nFlmOwM
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp7SbC006c
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnntTUaI2vr
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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?537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ660EMctthv
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I ignored it and walked down the aisle, heading out of the dorm.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86isXP9mx7
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCOx3i1fGy
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSJnSH38d4
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I found myself outside the ablution. I had to fetch water first in the bucket outside the ablution building.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau453QtMEZ
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgeesOgCZN
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqyfadmigi
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I hadn't heard any footsteps.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CZYAibSXd
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryZouiSy9m
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVWP2NnVgX
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMwWhM7cIt
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iQQAXXW2R
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukZEeU8Tme
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxO5un6yPkA
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As I poured water all over my body, I thought I heard a noise outside the shower cubicle.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlNZWUl98e
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I stopped what I was doing to hear, but after a long quiet pause, I continued to bathe.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4ix162Rhi
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNSvmwFL3z
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDg3wIR55L
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiItFeT2g3
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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?537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypYg6v4w2t
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRp93yt5Kg
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The day I met Death.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9jhJiASgo
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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?537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VesdpJzBk
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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?537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAgELMV613
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb4yfA3F9G
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaC2RIIErl
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Where am I? Snow and pine trees? What is this place? How did I get here?537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaAbZySr48
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2kNlYCA9g
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXtCjPCWZt
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLkf1DNgTG
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNazLQZXQL
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAAcfeZZJ2
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadpl1yLKPT
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9NCLoAJL1
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMuxoaBJvh
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"Hello?" I called out as I slowly approached.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB13H2kXbl
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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?537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE0CHA8f3j
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp2gI8VKDZ
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrcZqnn2AQ
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"Aargh!" I yelled, trying to pull away, but to no avail.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF57x3rqRI
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJXGA8pboS
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"Let me go, you're hurting me!" I yelled.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX2RrZ7n0y
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4WiR04owY
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"What are you doing? Let me go!"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc2pr0VIjB
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgngrnGOGGV
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8RLglmpgE
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx60HZsDpsu
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"What are you doing here?" the person asked in a female voice.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXue75gUmrK
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCvVjdvdIV
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"I asked what you're doing here? You're not supposed to be here."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGKFeeHAq5
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"I-I," I stuttered. "I just found myself here. I..., I don't know how I got here."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v7LebFen3
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUoZrwObFS
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VGQITqvHr
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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."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxNoq1g47c
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"Yes, I can see that," I nervously chuckled. I stopped when she didn't say anything.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuQ2s3Xu4a
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"Tell me how to get back," I said. "I can't stay here much longer."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwU3Z0m9Kl
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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."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDI6GkQJC7
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSIjO8wPp4
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"How am I supposed to get back when I don't even know how I got here?" I asked.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXisAUckYxd
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe8kr8VQ0t
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf7UnETpil
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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?537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6gLMw73Nx
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflAj2O4UQ8
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"Please...," I said, my teeth starting to clatter against each other. "Help..., me."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWrDPfkGmO
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yBdY1KMdx
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVKRQNwSaT
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyEOZqqHFQ
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"Whatever you do, don't you ever, ever come back here!" she yelled at me. "At least try not to."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCzJsjnMoo
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXkDMpaTEr
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB6YMPb86P
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJtwVQEWti
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIgasejhig
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzzEZvcZ2c
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70oDiLbMsX
I open my eyes, finding myself back in the ablution near the sinks close to the now open door.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe44jW07Ep
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I start to look around. Where is all the snow and the trees? The woman? Am I really back? But how?537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S4ohr6trP
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMKAga5d3i
The ablution still remained empty with only me inside. Hadn't the morning bell rang? Where is everyone?537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBYi1HnYTP
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF4hQg2Oha
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MO69hghVb
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG8ybpJTel
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?537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTwoKuaiTB
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cwpssbXAc
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFvLMTDymU
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMEB6j8qxl
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey5AcIHH2f
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1I8WancNo
"Wake up, you," I said as I came to our bunk and gently slapped her on the cheek.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdKM7HomLH
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"Awwh, Diana!" she protested as she turned around to face the other side.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4rkB7grGP
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"You're forgetting that today is Saturday," I said as I went to the other side of the bunk to get dressed.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvseMdWlJm
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwi5ZicJy1
"You said it yourself. It's Saturday."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR0UkqbQwl
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"It's inspection day."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZfgtvW8Ho
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She quickly sat up on her elbow to look at me. "I thought inspection is tomorrow."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI042WWCLU
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lbxQJj6RF
"Inspection day last week was on a Sunday."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1EOuU36kl
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0voG1yFNLm
"Ahhh!" she muttered as she fell back in the covers. "Now I really need to get up."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg5gZwibcq
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6oELyAHXJ
"You surely do."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH2PnPAZrT
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed8SemqFGd
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQJTcVIySn
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzHnhR5Waq
"How come you managed to bath so early?" she asked.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pqnYWnk6y
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15bkDndF2D
"I woke up early," I answered as I opened my suitcase to get my lotion.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mL46yTDYB
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbsdTsMGws
"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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdhA1am11w
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxm4uon4iI
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7UO6RK55i
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58X8Dvtq9s
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7gtSp4TeD
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmiCanPAva
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?537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknUyCmjRKg
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXshnYy2IE
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqBaRbSaRZ
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b9Uohsyy0
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI9uVkLZze
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z0Kf1yXNV
"Morning, Diana," said Chisha.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNsoyl503P
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"Morning," I said.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvmhEh73y6
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYckErxcras
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1uuStmLK1
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkEZiNxGkT
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVQQFZjPio
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y3I2FW1yo
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf4GR5ZXQo
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f5CTvwYFl
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVnQcG2M4M
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9TWIbNgfk
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TcT0gFc3X
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkmb8T4WKP
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUmTxhPCNW
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I turned around. There's nobody there. Strange.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9Qd2O8ePb
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2054Nq6BqP
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHaGO0NI70
"Ouch," I muttered, holding my nose. My eyes started to water because of the pain.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wSnSkGu67
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYBuOgzO50
"You really should be looking where you're going," came a male voice in front of me.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ5ANZBjit
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbE53fM4L1
I opened my watery eyes and the first thing that caught my eye was a purple cloak.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8S1fJ2PO5r
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtje2g1tcu
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T2bxuHAuz
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYIfa84vFf
His mouth raised up into a smile. A corky one for that matter.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfQ2iNbb4Y
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk93LV8taF
"You're the man from yesterday," I said, still holding my nose.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENFg4HMJqG
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf3lI8B1XL
"Yes, I am," he said. "You probably don't know my name. I'm Ryan. I see you got my signal."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1MjRgw96Z
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKTlDyiD6s
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuEKRLK58Z
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS04yTqZGI
"Wait..., what signal?" I asked.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEunWDIGHCp
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"You didn't feel anything strange back in your room?" he asked with a worrying look on his face.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSANkDIebn4
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y42UB5LeJ
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe6l9QUBGf
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqCamR8021
"If we're done with introductions," he said, "let's get going."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WdtA4YtCX
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloA88pn6Lp
"Wait, you're taking me with you right now?" I asked just when he was about to turn around and lead the way.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpL5u9IZiH
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpGYsawrd6
"That was the agreement, wasn't it?" he asked with his eyebrow raised.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SRyW2prMm
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HtoLO2Ivu
"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?"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPU3lkIUuB
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gNaIerM54
He gave me a serious look and I regretted saying that. He had his hands cupped before him, obviously contemplating about who knows what.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbtrAxX2xa
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kIxVrUsH7
"Didn't we agree that your training starts today?" he asked.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw1WfEwoMv
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBtkNexppo
"If you think about it, you ordered that training starts today. I practically didn't agree on anything."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1NCFVxMSx
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBYe6d71cR
"Don't try to wiggle your way out of this, Diana." He leaned closer. "Your training is of utmost importance."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXjFJQtC06
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppRYpohzyF
"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."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKiQT1Xqtr
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezDFWQ5uf8
"We know you don't understand what's going on and that's why we want to help you."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KJ1DQQ9qy
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xIYIyzE3e
"Oh, really? And how is this 'training' going to help me?" This time I raised my eyebrow at him.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmsrOxNNNK
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FEKhllt2Q
"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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWBTWVrIe6
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuhYgc5aXc
"Is it physical? Am I going to learn some kind of skill?"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqj35bxYP8
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J6zZQRjJZ
"All these questions are going to make my head ache." He straightened himself. "Come on, we better hurry."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9nxat1u3s
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxJILq44W1
"Wait a minute," I said, stopping him from turning around again.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSxWtC8gBJ
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"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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOQYUeTvwX
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"I've my duties to do first and there's breakfast that I can't miss. Also-"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6koKnmELt7
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55no5cAVEF
"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."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GYAl7CyAY
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfyUe2W3L3
"Are you sure? I may not be the most popular girl around, but I've friends that will notice that I'm not here."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLIDCQzE96
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIhEpeSp8E
"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."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ487iOGE1v8
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtm02g3kgU
"Oh..., this training is physical, then?"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiUAgDa0EL
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3bEjmduOD
"You'll see when we get there. Can we please go now?"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLWaiCFnwM
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2PqOo76wH
"Well..., alright." I dropped the broom onto the ground.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiTNR1a0dQ
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7P17IFpZg
"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."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLPKyXVMTA
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94qiTEN73e
"I hope it won't come to that," I answered as he lead the way behind the garage.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnrFB81yAZ
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioRJbqXQC8
I heard him scoff. "Some day you'll."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFpw0JFTT3
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwDx8PoPeF
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoY8RSIbX6q
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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOJ5CmVb8l
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1RgXTWKCG
"What are you doing?" I asked, surprised that someone like him would graffiti the wall. "That's not allowed."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0611WT7EI
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEYLSZDHIi
"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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2uAKiSeIC
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzCZbHHDqu
"How is drawing going to take us where we need to go?"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJkYH9heQL
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG8yCbdwbd
"Already full of questions, huh?" Ryan asked as he finished drawing a full round circle, almost his height. "Don't you watch fantasy movies?"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOoG49FIRl
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ277hvCknRs
"Of course I watch fantasy movies," I said, upset with him questioning me about such. If anything, I am a big fan of fantasy.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ404Wgl7ee2
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCdZHhAWMK
"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?"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExPoh4Qx64
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2ExI17xCG
"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."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYxSgoZrGV
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUys6xkDmIR
"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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL4do7hKGt
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJHsome8ms
"So this drawing will lead us to the island?"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlatgIemONZ
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoUKocfCpi
"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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFg8IB6neK
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FJPjT3Lhf
"What is it?"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV9LSfc0Vw
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGrSqEnyqn
"How to use it. It's not some ordinary drawing. You need to activate it for it to act as a doorway."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ssyv3BxZ8
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBghBFGmd8g
"How do you activate it?"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB4bkQl2KX
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLztyWXIWMn
"By a chant." He turned to look at me.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0RNRz90mH
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH2YXPxkxq
"A chant? Meaning I've to say something?"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGulpi1FyU
537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoDHmBTUXH
"Yes. The bad part is, you don't know the language yet."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62WEHk4kEe
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"Oh..., that language," I muttered as I remembered the writings I saw on the doorway of the Butterfly Temple.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEAW88VcAB
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"Don't worry, it isn't as hard as you think." Ryan beamed at me.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXp7O3XmA6
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"Easy for you to say. I've the man in green teaching it to me."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmWwKWrvQ0
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"He's a handful, but Bob isn't that bad when you get to know him."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPk7N3xSsb8
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"I beg to differ," I quietly muttered to myself as Ryan turned to look back at the drawing.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk8JQV6eYh
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"Okay, we better get going."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFEXN9AMtk
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HuBqgXyHM
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOb6feg1n0
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"Is that it?" I asked Ryan.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUUajQpjfu
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vXxDJElLL
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"Wow. But wait..., won't someone find the drawing and get dragged in by accident?"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoZQ0TFU0A
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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."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEgMmn1hTh
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"So, I can use this doorway from now on to get to the island, right? Does that mean I can come visit whenever I want?"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlneNzGVofT
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Ryan smacked his lips, and I realized that I wasn't going to like his answer.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4PVQyWYHF
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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."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyENgw62nc
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"But what if there's an emergency here and I need your help?"537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER7sF89ENj
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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."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35iZ3vSFge
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t2UHNrxcC
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLrwlWxHsO
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"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Ryan asked.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYJK0iI1hg
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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.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzl6uASGpoQ
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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."537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJBgG8ytxW
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I quickly rushed down to catch up to him towards what felt to me like an adventure.537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ958q6HT1QZ
