"Wakey, wakey, sleepy head," came a voice. Am I dreaming? I don’t think so. The voice sounds very familiar. I tried to open my eyes but I couldn’t.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGysULDtAv
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I finally opened them and the light hit directly into my eyes. I slowly sat up. My body felt heavy and it ached like hell. I felt like going back to sleep. There's someone standing near the window. It's Ariana.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcBvEwUyzZ
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"Can I sleep a little longer?" I asked as I yawned. Stretching my arms is hard and painful, so I didn't even try.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4Wpg9cC4J
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"I know what you mean," came her voice. My eyes are still so sleepy that everything looks blurry. "But I'm afraid I’ve to get you ready for today. So, if you don’t mind..."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVh266KfbNl
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I muttered in frustration as I tried to move the bed covers aside. I groaned, both in pain and frustration. I hear footsteps and knew Ariana is coming to help. But somehow, I managed to get a big portion of the covers aside.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LIginhOSt
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"Thank goodness," said Ariana as I looked at her through tired eyes. "I thought I would've have to carry you to the bathroom outside."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhYwnZjIvo
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"I'm fine," I said.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXzpgdJJQX
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGQPCaSyhz
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rdTvfcSql
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL3B3siKoX
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The two of us walked out of the room and just right next to my bedroom door is another. She opened it for me, and as expected, I didn't find myself in a modern day bathroom. There's a large wooden tub, that looked like a bucket in the middle of the room, big enough to fit two to three people. And it's full of hot steaming water. Am I really going to bath in that?335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNzi4aNZIY
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonXZu49P9v
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSjrzHvo5j
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After my nice, warm, relaxing bath, I am back in my room, all dressed up in a long, black, 19th century dress, like the ones most of the females wore around here. I wish they could've given me in another colour, it did look good on me.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnBXax9l48
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"Wow, just stunning," said Ariana as she stood behind me, holding my shoulders and looking in the mirror hung on the wall next to the wardrobe. There wasn't a full-length mirror here yesterday, so I was surprised when I came back from the bathroom that Ariana had brought one.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLAJeyIlC6
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"It's really nice," I commented.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhm2MRZko5
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfSxWARjG9
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A knock came at the door and Ariana quickly went to open it. The young nurse from last night came in with a tray.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTleruYT8Ou
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"Good morning, Ariana," she greeted as she entered the room. She turned towards me still standing in front of the mirror. "Morning. Well, you look stunning today."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdncCVtMkfL
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"Thank you," I said as I slowly turned around to approach the bed. The nurse already placed the tray on the table and I saw a white ceramic bowl and what looked like porridge in it.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYLMaqqHvD
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbf1BRxc8m
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRgTqOW9s4
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XOKdjYOmD
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"Do I have to continue drinking that medicine?" I asked as I approached the small table and looked at the small bowl filled with white porridge.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOGqIyRoYC
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwtoNTqCll
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"I know it's good for me, but it's just so yucky!" I turned to look at her, sticking my tongue out.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbFVjBzQbx
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Ariana couldn't help but laugh. "You really are something. Now eat up. The others will be here any moment now."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1GnbqZPSg
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After breakfast, Ariana escorted me out of my room. When we reached the bottom of the stairs, the place felt empty like it did yesterday. Now that I think about it, I feel Ariana and the rest of the High Order are behind this. What if people who aren't authorised to be here were told this part of the castle is off limits?335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sHZcrSt3P
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9VfF2oZEe
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I hadn't realised that I was looking down the long quiet passage leading to the other side of the castle. I've a feeling that there's a lot going on.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5DFnyhlOW
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"Coming," I said, slowly turning around and joining Ariana who still stood at the door. She didn’t make a move as she continued to look at me.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOY3FHorcr
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"What is it?" I asked.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3DTWc2cB3
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"Nothing, just curious about something," she said as she walked out. She obviously didn’t want me asking her questions. Can’t blame her. I do like asking a lot.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfW1c2zD4P
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I slowly followed her outside and by the foot of the stairs, stood an elegant white carriage tied to two white magnificent horses. Wow! Now I know how Cinderella felt when she knew what she was riding in. I’m super excited. I felt like I had just entered a movie or something.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMXetpbTuN
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Ariana went down the stone steps and waited in front of the carriage. She turned to look at me with a smile. Just a few seconds ago, she seemed different. Could I’ve something to do with it?335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDmCDRGfK5
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpjxcVyWap
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Just as I am about to make my way down, the nurse who visited my room earlier came from behind in a hurry.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWfYI3kFgJ
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"Wait," she said, as she came to stand beside me, stopping me with a hand on my shoulder. "You forgot to take your medicine." She held up her hand and in it, is a small wooden cup filled with the black liquid.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxyOCFHHGf
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"Oh, I completely forgot," I took the cup and quickly gulped the medicine down. The inside of my mouth and stomach burned like hell. I stuck out my tongue.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXQfWQQpMM
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6JraN2Xiq
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWyGv8X8lL
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcinVUuTBes
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I give the nurse back the cup, the strong bitter feeling is just unbearable. I now wish for something sweeter than the butterfly cookies Ariana brought me yesterday. I start to make my way down the stone steps as Ariana went on to open the carriage. I notice that the door handle and the steps leading inside, were covered in gold. I couldn’t help but admire how elegant it looks.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2dzASAQcg
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJRb3vnQWr
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKoKLRQk1u
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSV95DbB5O
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I look around. I expected the troops that came to get me in the orchard to also be here. I turned to the stone steps and the nurse who had brought me the medicine is already gone.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbwYC0AkzO
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldUCyrF8b8
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"If you say so," I said as I placed my foot on the steps leading up to the carriage. I winced in pain and held my knee.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNZ0b1jYjQ
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZyYGDWjfD
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oB3uJebb9
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XMQLebHWG
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwZfb95dNW
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pnAT1nys6
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe0rt5Cmz6
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXrLXtGoyu
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRtpPcqjIl
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rbD7nT5U9
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She quickly drew away and I saw the look on her face change into an angry one. She quickly took my hand that was on her shoulder into a tight grip.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0X9qDfMkJ
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWmchYcABI
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnfl8j7dxW
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"Get in the carriage," Ariana continued to insist as she started to push me inside, this time with her hands behind my back. I held both ends of the open door to prevent myself from going in. My shoulders hurt for doing so.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPYv8u2wT9
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"No, I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who you are!" I also insisted, trying my best to stand my ground.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC9qXDFMLV
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ0kiCRgXA
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKWD970i8W
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"You leave me no choice." I felt her lift one of her hands from my back and I had a feeling she’s about to something deadly.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEmKqiXAK8
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I pushed myself backwards with all my might, using my hands for force before this imposter could do anything. And in doing so, I pushed her and myself away from the door. I even hit her in the face with the back of my head.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2f2aahGfV
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We both fall to the ground, and I’m quick enough to turn around to look at her. I found her holding her nose and there's a trickle of blood.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTkozoX6rV
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDPByHwXay
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbUzNiUzde
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE50KWL5Ei5
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No way am I stopping for anyone. Who is this person disguised as Ariana? I need to get away and look for help.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UKrAc9x5a
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I ran down the stone path that I used yesterday. When I reach the crossroads, I don’t take the turn that led to the orchard. I head for the iron gates straight ahead. There are probably guards there who could help.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vDghijCWT
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3tcSEKwfl
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I didn’t. And just when I’m approaching the gate, I noticed something is wrong. Before I could wrap my head around it, I felt the ground rumble below. When I looked, I found it cracking open. Before I could stop myself, I tripped over the upturned stones and went to ground.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3Pp3Yp3CE
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"You really should listen when I tell you to stop!" the imposter called out. She’s approaching. I've to get away quickly.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKz4ZtExd7p
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I lifted my head and looked towards the huge iron gates. They are a lot bigger than I imagined. I finally notice what’s wrong. There are people on the ground just near the gate. The guards. There are only three bodies lying unconscious. This is bad. Could the imposter have done this?335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqMeR1WQ67
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"For a new comer, you’re pretty sharp," came the imposter behind me. She’s getting close. "You figured out that I’m not Ariana. I’m impressed."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0JGxiNLc6
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I tried to get up, but my body hurt and I felt a sharp pain in my knee. I must have hurt myself pretty bad. I started to crawl. In one way or another I’ll have to reach the fallen guards. They’ve got to have weapons on them or something.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1XCjK20El
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbDyKzNUxS
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I continued to crawl when all of a sudden, I felt myself being lifted off the ground. Am I floating? I felt a certain force push me upwards that I now stood upright in the air. I felt myself turn looking in the direction of the imposter. With Ariana’s smile, I couldn’t tell if the person is smiling or just smirking.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvaDUw9fcK
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaBrRG3SRz
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLwbr9KGgX
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru6zJ8b5DJ
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2at8Q77nfW
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"Ask me something else, then."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoLIFvMgwe
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"Who are you?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7Wi2xTolU
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mG3yGF4QC
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHj5Cebv0U
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekajDN2BXc
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Ariana’s face started to change in an instant. Her blonde curly hair soon turned black and straight. The features on her face started to change, becoming more man-like with a chiselled chin and cheekbones. Her yellow robe turned to black and velvet. In front of me stood a man who looked to be in his late fifties.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyZplV8pUF
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2SrERkIf0
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"How do you know my name?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKskko7Z3r
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Lord Vandell approached and the smirk on his face scared me a little. He looks like he has no good intentions.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIC98LuTYJ
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjJnaE9AvT
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WXSoC0un6
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbpSgiz5um
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIMPc7elxu
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6oSeU7Y92
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQXwVpbPte
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhxvCDraLL
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyoXCDaVfS
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre5xYf7klQ
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I now start to wonder. Could this be why the others have been so protective over me? If it is, I totally agree with them now. This man may not look like it, but he’s a lunatic.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1y2Q2d4IU
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"Aren’t the others going to be upset that you took down security and Ariana just to get to me?" I asked.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yYqTstgl9
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"That’s why I wanted you out of here easily," he said with a smirk. "But you saw past my disguise. Not everybody does."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jKqGmnhKf
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"What are you going to do to me?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9UB87qnsQ
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE15Kp1G4xB
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"Well, I don’t like your approach. You can’t just kidnap me and think you’re going to get away with it."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dzyJOyUVf
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He scoffed. "Enough talk. Let’s get out of this boring place. Something tells me, we’re going to have a lot of fun together."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWACA25SeB9
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I squirmed around to get myself out of his invisible hold, but it’s no use. I can’t go with him. Who knows what he will do to me.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlZK9TenMX
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0bwAHVkhF
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"Don’t make me laugh, Diana," he said. I slowly floated downwards that I'm now at eye level with him. "You simply can’t do anything to me. Well, not yet, at least."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLsB1LVPMj
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He started to make his way towards the gate and still in his invisible grasp, I turned around in the air to follow him. I've to do something. I started to look around. There's still no one in sight. Where are Ryan and Stella when you need them? This is bad. Then I remembered something:335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5UTL43Stn
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The birds.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqp8WnykY2
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We were approaching the gate and I looked around for any sign of them. Using the inside of my head, I called out to them. Calling out loud will be silly. Lord Vandell would seal my mouth shut if I did.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OXlm7RtPd
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I started to panic when the birds were still no where in sight. We're now at the gate. I started to squirm around to break free.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihisCXU45q
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDvjQJpgvn
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"I beg to differ."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKH1kt5OiQ
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A high-pitched, chirping came from a distance, and I can't help but let out a sigh of relief. I turn my head. I expected to see the two blue birds from yesterday, but there's a large flock of the same kind, flying towards us. For a moment, I thought a blue cloud is descending upon us. There are so many.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtcF48m2yM
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IOfbHPbau
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnYyxb9zZx
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ADGTNGYKA
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLkBA0DgWf
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Before Lord Vandell could do anything, the birds came in one fell swoop, flying around us. For a minute, I can’t see what’s in front of me. The fluttering of their wings were like that of a strong wind.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT2K5fljxt
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I soon felt the invisible hold around me loosen and I fall to the ground. I didn’t fall too hard. The birds continued to fly around, but I realised that they are more concentrated on Lord Vandell. Almost the whole flock of birds surrounded him that it looked like he's stuck in a middle of a blue tornado. I could see him with his arms all around trying to keep the birds away. I noticed a few of them pecking at him when they got the chance.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeN9sQFyp8G
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I stood up, grateful that the birds were of help. They could hold him at bay for a while until the others arrive.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rCigrJ5Ru
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Two birds came to sit on my shoulders. It’s the ones from yesterday. It’s weird how I could tell them apart from all the others that were flying around. They chirped at me, sounding relieved that I managed to get in touch with them.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pIBqfMZNU
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiWQT3JleY
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The two birds chirped on, telling me that the others will be here soon. They went on to join the other birds peaking and pulling at Lord Vandell’s robe. He’s having a hard time dealing with them.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Fts5t3NtO
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"Diana!" came a voice behind me. I turned and saw Ariana with the nurse who had visited my room this morning.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMFEMAxWO1
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzDPyVO2sL
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"I’m good, he just knocked me out cold, that’s all," she said. Her eyes turned to the flock of birds bullying Lord Vandell. "He can stay there for a while. He can’t use his powers on them. That’s if he wants Her Highness to break him."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsQwqyzldw
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I winced. "She can do that?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBDIGqDxlf
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FD1gytJZy
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"Diana, you're hurt," said the nurse. She quickly rushed over to me and knelt at my feet, lifting my dress a little higher. I then remembered that I had fallen to the ground earlier and had a cut on the knee. A stream of blood trickled down my leg.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fTUH3ZABD
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"I actually fell thanks to Lord Vandell," I said. Now that I think about it, my whole body ached like hell. I’m not completely healed and I had to do a lot of running, hence stressing all my muscles again.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjopSUacMG
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvtjOzxd2O
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"How did he get you?" I asked. The nurse cleaned my wound first. Apparently, she carried some ointment in the pocket of her apron in a tiny brown bottle. My wound stung when she applied it.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTcEnuF0QS
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"After your bath when you went to your room and I remained in the bathroom," Ariana explained. "He knocked me out. I didn’t see him coming."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKTuy488la
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The birds continued to attack Lord Vandell, who kept yelling at them to get away. Ariana came closer and drew out her hand. The birds in an instant left him alone and flew away. He's in such a mess. His hair is all over the place and the birds had torn through parts of his robes that he almost looked like a beggar in rags. Not forgetting that some birds had angrily pecked at his face, leaving a few cuts and bruises.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57pxHtgNyi
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2mY3gM0XK
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0ShaCqG1Q
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Lord Vandell chuckled. He sounded like he’s about to lose it. The birds must have messed him up. I should've told them to go a little easy on him.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0Q3ZzIF7S
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"And how sure are you that you won't call the birds to attack me again?" he asked, looking at me.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1zzRO8oBG
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Even when Ariana had her eyes on him, I could feel her stare through the corner of her eye. She must be surprised by this too. Or not.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSpv23Ccw5
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"I didn't tell the birds to attack you," I lied. "They obviously sensed that something's wrong and came to my rescue."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCkzOJS5zx
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V5Xub4TIn
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8Kw0VjWfY
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79NNnFmLmV
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He straightened himself up and even in the state he is in, he looked like he had some ounce of dignity left. He also didn't seem bothered that he had been attacked by angry birds.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbuvNgBJdl
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"Tell me, Ariana," he said, as his dark eyes fell on her. "When were you going to tell us about this treasure you've found?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrekfiI5LR
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His eyes were now on me. And what did he mean by "we?" Who else isn't supposed to know about my whereabouts?335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbhz72tSyg
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzodQo2SzKV
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I turned around and the nurse who had been attending to my wound, stood upright to see Ryan and Stella come towards us. Looks like they teleported themselves here.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeYFy2FVX9
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCaHEdSSTy
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft3R1zKmS2
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8IvtFp5My
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"You committed a terrible offense, Lord Vandell," said Ryan. "Her Highness strictly didn't want anyone on this side of the castle, and you knew that."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jb1XMA9My
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Lord Vandell scoffed. "Her Highness and all of you in the High Order really think you can do whatever you like around here. So what’s the use of keeping her hidden? You do know, everyone's talking about her, right?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHHux2USk0
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I now remember what Raisa told me. I know I'm already a rumour, but he must have heard something specific from someone about me.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6GpBk4TMH
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEyruAlmoI
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMV3W4j8BO
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I felt the mood around me change. I could tell Stella, Ryan, Ariana were just as surprised as I am, but did well not to show it. He was there?335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe98gGuVIB8
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29KMlPe3O9
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Lord Vandell scoffed. "I know the Butterfly Order rests their hope and trust in you, but why keep this girl hidden from the rest of us? Is there something about her that we don’t know about that you want to keep her all to yourself?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73PIU6hcpb
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2YnH5FEna
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"Keep on thinking like that, and you will regret that you ever did," said Stella. I hear her walk up to me and the next thing I know, she’s grabbing my shoulder. "We need to go, Diana."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzeuTVrbqh
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"Where do you think you’re going with her?" Lord Vandell asked as soon as Stella and I turned around. "You aren’t taking her anywhere."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZPkm7Dfbt
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"She’s our responsibility, Lord Vandell," said Stella as she turned to look at him. "We know what we’re doing, and she’s not coming with you."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfEFkD8Ozp
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWglNaN1HI
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW3xLI9h5o
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"Watch your tongue, Ryan," said Lord Vandell, sounding serious. His voice could scare even the smallest of animals away. Even I felt terrified. "It’s not my fault that you were all careless."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRiQtqdEQJ
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgBLOqcNxj
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1JUs1qwlK
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I felt the air grow tense that I couldn’t even move. The hairs at the back of my neck stood. Something is about to happen, but what could-?335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPSQneVKTq
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Something suddenly ran past me, and I didn’t realise what’s going on until I saw Ryan stand behind Lord Vandell who is now on his knees. What just happened? How did Ryan get there so fast?335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU0yzokVhK
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"I’ve had enough of you talking," Ryan said, looking down at Lord Vandell, holding him down with his hand on Lord Vandell’s shoulder.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEG68SYpYp
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS8fmWirZS
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"Ariana, Stella, take Diana away," said Ryan as he looked at his colleagues. "I think she has seen enough for one day."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDUHepcPoy
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZY0sDsTkq
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ezxc2GO45
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbSmZ4WzhH
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I started to walk away alongside Stella, with the nurse and Ariana joining behind us. Lord Vandell continued to yell not to take me away and that he would burn this place to the ground if he had to. Could he do it?335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdIbo5ICBy
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I turned to look at Stella and she looked pretty upset. Maybe it’s best I don’t say anything for the time being.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirF87WHZPy
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUamzX07hSp
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5SCnzd3RO
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVL0zrmYCX
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBs6UrqcWW
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOXsZYr8U5
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Lord Vandell did mention something about people finding out about me. There are already people who know. But there are others, who just like Lord Vandell, know more. I wonder who they could be.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII8fdoVRBF
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Lord Vandell’s yapping continued behind us, but soon enough, he became quiet. I don’t know what Ryan has done to him, but when I turned my head to look, it’s like they had vanished in thin air. I can’t help but worry about how fast Ryan is. Should I? Probably in the future.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr1ftnuA4d
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xBKQEz4av
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"Definitely not," Stella agreed. "If things turn out like this, we might be forced to bring Diana out to the public."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAYllKckAP
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"May I ask why you’ve kept me hidden if you didn’t want this to happen?" I ended up asking.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5r2DzT7uu
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Stella didn’t say anything, her eyes still not meeting mine. I could feel her body grow tense. I’m really dying to know why all this is happening. What is it about me that they don’t want me getting exposed to the public?335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxAsepbJwn
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I turned to look at Ariana, and she had the same expression as Stella’s. For how long are they going to be quiet?335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZOD7Grjma
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3ZMLP7WmI
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"Aren’t we all?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "I might not know much about this place, but I can tell a lot of people have special abilities like you do. How am I any special?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDzLHPaZNZ
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6aXrvmKVQ
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I shook my head. "I still don’t understand, Stella. How can I be ‘that special?' I’m just an ordinary human being who happened to develop some mysterious abilities uncommon to our kind, like you guys."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FGB6nX3J8
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"True," she stopped walking to look at me. The rest of us did the same. "But you met Death, and that’s a whole different story."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gCOZ3c44U
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"What does Death have to do with all of this? Big deal, I got lucky and managed to live for another day. Don’t people meet Death and some of them happen to survive by circumstance? I just happen to be one of them."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbd4IZ3llH
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"But have you ever heard of anyone meeting Death and not only do they get out of his grasp alive, but develop abilities?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGkKg2q0SA
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IRhwOElfn
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"You’ll only understand what she means when you start training," said Ariana. "You’re different from a lot of the recruits we’ve seen so far."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeuanRSJOX
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I wanted to protest some more, but it isn’t the first time I’ve heard all this. The first time Her Highness and I met, she talked about my encounter with Death. I should wait and see what they mean during training.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRbiaOeotB
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I looked ahead and didn’t realise we were only a few feet away from the castle with the carriage still waiting there. Looks like I'm not going to ride in it today.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Yw9VXbXsR
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"Make sure Diana is attended to," Stella said to the nurse behind her. "Ariana and I have to sort something out around the castle."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjQd6HBBIa
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmlhDbK23f
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15gnG3y4it
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Ariana sounded serious. I wonder what she means by that. Will they put up more security? I glance at the gate in a distance. Lord Vandell was able to take down the guards. Maybe they have other forms of security I’m yet to know about.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yk5MNd7Jk
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I make my way to the short stone steps with the nurse walking beside. As I walked up the stone steps, I felt the air change all of a sudden. The ground below rumbled a little. I looked above and it felt like the whole place has been surrounded by an invisible barrier. I quickly look behind me and find Ariana and Stella by the foot of the stairs with Ariana on one knee with both of her hands placed palm first onto the ground. I notice a line of runes appear on the ground in glowing yellow, surrounding the whole castle.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfng1Z5XwOO
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"Nothing to be scared of, Diana," said Stella as Ariana stood upright, the runes on the ground soon disappeared, but the presence of the barrier remained. "This is just a protective barrier to keep you safe. We’ll come check on you once we’re finished."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA1ax2g7oX
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxXYLXAE0A
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Ariana and Stella turned around and walked back the way they came. I watch them go before turning around to head back in the castle. Surprisingly, Bob is standing in the open doorway. How did he get here? I didn’t even feel his presence.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdMhKgjuXf
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"I had a backup plan if things weren’t going to go as planned," he said. "You’ll still start your lessons today."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwruvBkBVYu
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I don’t know whether to feel excited about it or just keep it cool. Starting my training will be good for me to try and forget what happened just now.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpldTlXOk6
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dmmBCyjJN
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMETtWZCEVz
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS7KvHFjWM
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZe7jRSShc
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"Birds, what birds?" I quickly asked. I’m careful enough not to stammer. I’ve to choose my words carefully. "What about them?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gCfyCFYy3
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"Did you summon them?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNY2weiUfis
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYJtTYLCEh
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"Don’t try to pretend with me, Diana." The corner of his mouth raised to a smile. "One of the recruits who was with you yesterday told me that you can understand the birds."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmHTwjkAGY
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There is no hiding from that. I should’ve warned the recruits not to say anything. But they don’t know me and I don’t know them, so I’m not surprised that they reported this.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprVliz5fjx
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmspjJdRyu
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Bob continued to look at me before turning around and walking through the door. "Understanding creatures is a great ability," he said. "But people don’t develop it right there and then. They only do so after training. You, on the other hand, already have an understanding for them. That just shows you really are something."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV637OwYBV
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I'm not ready for this speech again as I quickly said, "we’ll see about that, won’t we? I’ve been lucky and quite fortunate so far. My training will reveal if there’s anything special about me."335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmwtDqgDKx
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Bob slightly tilted his head to the side as I started to follow him inside the castle. "If it’s your destiny, Diana, you simply can’t run away from it," he said.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15vqPDwS8p
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His words got to me and I stopped in my tracks. Could he be right? I didn’t want this to begin with. I was meant to die that day, but I didn’t. I don’t know how I survived. Now all this is happening because of that encounter. Was all this meant to happen? And if that is the case, for what?335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLjY0qWgOE
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmFxqErDFL
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"Of course," I said as Bob went up the flight of stairs. The nurse and I followed behind him at a slow pace.335Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn7RSESuGG
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It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.
Penana
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