"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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iQ8HdqHFo
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXK6D6lZuL
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC9fEM5BhB
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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..."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf5wJKq9Jk
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCTchAxNSG
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXl3ixpefp
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"I'm fine," I said.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdr4HhZZ5gl
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUp17Wqdvz
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaljeKgwUe
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIJK6KfX3k
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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?314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX0aZAELoU
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXuLCfS8m6
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6PflMEkMb
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0BBmCnLB2
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqrli5YhoU
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"It's really nice," I commented.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQxdQ6A6ou
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe12kWSW88
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRev8Efvz6
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLboOkGpOm5
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeY5DIbugZN
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjSRY3NfXA
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoedi2LZ88b
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYG9oAsdVw
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHAGsCNgoN
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi7sZsnQH6
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZlzxDuOWj
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlPLg5yVGS
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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?314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX0KU5BmkL
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gIGMJtub2
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XZhhzw7MG
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddggnfvKsB
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"What is it?" I asked.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm0cHPUhNs
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbeNV6eXvK
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0Xl3xCiKk
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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?314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphYBCP0LYB
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBgsnJYtK7
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1mvwdUQJE
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ848hwbWWMS
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs16N3I54X
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKgLTce5p6
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyhW70wFqI
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnJ71y6J3N
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkYdR6vg3U
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE2T3pJQEf
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATlAt3N0s4
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo27yAYM5q
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHNDAr8I4I
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ019OnqWQ3G
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HcQrv84lB
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkSTTO7XQd
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjxzqb0Iu0
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6RwukkISW
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuYGwuNsPK
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxeTAfgZKq
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4moQA4jhS
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw53cHVweb9
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6WMCBDFsy
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59iMaaGeCC
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vFLPw8YlZ
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5WNrtYKIm
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQGlZRdt9M
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0WgNOZsMr
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1EUT9xxUy
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIFG9ypPXX
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk3LhRLARi
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq2J6iuz2i
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yyC7WxUaE
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpd8xAJnhs
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdSHCVJQmZ
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7j1n1K3cNY
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29m9qIfDRI
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqLmitff6b
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeaTnZFDER
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubGyZPpMnf
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLG714dxtW
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7piu6WUcH
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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?314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfPZWGUdzZ
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvbM0nBqZP
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheHiVWiC2t
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsmqsbbi7g
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm7rHCEG2U
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOJwhFfBuA
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmB2UcDzS0
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5F36uUDxL
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuT2YZODdX
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"Ask me something else, then."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatZQ1NpBwa
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"Who are you?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Il266kQdR
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeF7JFRm2tk
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63SY8jlLUi
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu51uhQTZnp
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMjWV6Hsw3
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VaX9B1hdF
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"How do you know my name?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD00Ki9M1kt
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdSWGA2Aui
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdxtkwPPeG
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ2vp9Y2Yu
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V1sRoxbdb
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BpwlRHbGX
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkQViiZe2h
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxMYwwCp3s
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdMmydvKQW
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90JlfNZlJy
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIQKowP7Rn
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoh3kGcRze
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorR4Xr0BFW
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewNUf59Y5i
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"What are you going to do to me?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDVjONxh2z
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdbBGbGcz2
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZEM4fmgzW
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PWuYFLxK2
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghTrvD9eO1
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvKrCIJThN
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNAloQFjpT
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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:314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBBUx6U4BY
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The birds.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOMdbV5WEc
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLMtzYGbYQ
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ffvFBfnNY
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77CGp5kSZ6
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"I beg to differ."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBIic1eEaq
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGTgdCWJkM
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgVnsPJX6N
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOsdPTdYY6
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCqa1uIEiW
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HMYCgQMKO
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98EcJP9b3B
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQbaAoNGzb
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkYz7UVGam
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz2psd0UIq
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4MXR7pMZ1
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRKG4durh9
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWupnCQLGag
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zpdPlEO6y
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ4eWBaxwF
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I winced. "She can do that?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡol63xMbTit
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gdsib3ZHf
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Flh1nZVeF
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DoMKVqLBp
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbycGBy3lC
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgqHM6vlPB
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJRnzBJWXc
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGhNDDVmpf
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X0qq4XZ6x
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFuGqeYP3b
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLYMNEWt6q
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkr5rbI5VMm
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsI7Hrt0bR
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO2bvu6xtn
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU4KVyeB5U
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFh23G346u
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ6SXQS0uR
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjNGncY6Cp
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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?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcaw2nPiqs
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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?314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2njrMYzoCZ
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8GesDHQqA
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJpDN9kkm5
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2nHLeuaq9
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62V9ufYNV2
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jDid8EAF8
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1O6JX3MDY
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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?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PUn23aMpq
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR9N8TMPNa
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAa4z9tZr3
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9G40g1Stt
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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?314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvwvTbAkaV
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv33q8UPMB
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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?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9n2nC9CNF
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYkVF0Z9HP
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsM4wJbqgK
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw2xSGswAs
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7eHN5unoG
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGliuxkkXn9
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVFLhgtMDt
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEBmyZbjOd
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXHfIGt1F2
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsDby4tLsr
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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-?314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxbk9Wekfa
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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?314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2rm9aQjmV
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2Ij5VJAkm
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHLPgspNwH
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgNE9BA8yN
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxDBAcMNvp
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3n9EbrcE0
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdVVE9mogH
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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?314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5BcrF5EW7
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyIvKFo9Lq
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD7LDA6swu
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXiTSYwqut
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQdxVTFx1B
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9880rj2Rm
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ar6DPS52y
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacFXhDhHCp
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8Pp43A9ix
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgBTb5zyID
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlyiBGn0Di
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT13b6fCUvl
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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?314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd0sLBRx81
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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?314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmlYUrhTNQ
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1Whc3zddI
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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?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pcg9y3OTj
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce5kjZ4p6h
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNJZ54JJss
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVXJsdRRP2
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNG4SauKKi
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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?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6HhIQfpEJ
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjuUPTaTxK
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxFo1W2Z6P
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAansno68C
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr0itQ4YhQ
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRiHVAM1yi
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0Z2BEynx8
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3g96l72OWR
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfJQcnLXVz
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9wrflJuMK
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdTJueoREP
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO8il8cp9k
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ypNZFcGkJ
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg1g3spjki
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWcU9WG6cT
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZZAZaIJWy
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9utA0JJEab
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAcDhLROyi
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMzz5GTRI8
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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?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzp66S85ow
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"Did you summon them?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fWt5N1vGd
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52FNJAQdUi
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv8yqEfTwH
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC2602wdDW
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtbBLMshh7
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy23MqqVoPn
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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."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPmU7WXaRp
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4om447TYFJ
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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?314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvlygklpHB
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBlFdqwQTe
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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.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYr54FgR0y
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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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