"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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSkhxhRc2R
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0GADugfEu
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJWdAxTnt5
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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..."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBckBTKFYr
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcz8OfSEJR
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK6nM1Ko0N
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"I'm fine," I said.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hqILKJJWF
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2XTnVpL7f
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtwKtb18bH
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYeu8hzbkX
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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?352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2xyHXXQxY
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OJkDraWNX
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ5xTra1Di
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpii9MKPnYF
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPLOrBwMYO
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"It's really nice," I commented.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9eNvOnRSD
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gmTe6zcyU
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS05YN3q5N
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE7TWLcTMr
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkqBMO7Opc
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgkn2QIGdV
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejGPdSQIPG
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcYlmCH1Ex
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQm6FcWfdq
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZULKOWECy
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhz37TKi8H
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oLD6ZWl95
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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?352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gLRlshF1Q
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GqJsyDwj0
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoC9rQMapp
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJevxBn90g
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"What is it?" I asked.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7OivFalf5
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC5Irh5Obv
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NtTuoC9Zm
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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?352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMd3AygE1w
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImnK9Qr3nO
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwh1tSTZes
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MkRxGC3gw
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuToUPXq0Sn
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXWZgMF6sC
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rybRC6790
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7nX0ynnQ1
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ239iM9PuQC
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hrAjxkQds
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVWadHgs58
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK3A6MMqsR
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUBCJtZf1b
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6qmOigRyj
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1BQoctoD6
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg81lFdeMEu
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G3ytUOSJh
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SWZM2dCKl
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcjMFT6h8T
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml7bIoGStB
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNM77rixkS
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAxVYZpIvB
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwET59qyMzK
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkmkYxrqbZ
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlRUsXsQfk
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Se0pQZI0a
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9CP1oEceH
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2fHkc9kgx
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRbr8Zb12R
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuowvMX8kc
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzPhLZGhgP
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidN9jH3P8G
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxSE5LQ0Ok
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBUN4jy7zb
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHi9fMjsGk
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1ztLnWa3Y
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaVZGWUDbG
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3o4c9wNYr
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDCpJr1kR8
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULmf1nFyEF
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OLEhIJP4s
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXH31WIMKH
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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?352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffVtMiHM5g
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMMSBcoL7c
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgPg8W7uss
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA1sg41B6k
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifWdKVu4a9
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmahZOoDqx
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcaGZUwX2H
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8VrqN2x1z
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JxsQbViHY
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"Ask me something else, then."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm96UFcFxGP
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"Who are you?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwayz721L2
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBWG0VEnwl
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFKY4F7e8L
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsaIIAWxFG
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVCcU2jTRP
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXtMcf673p
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"How do you know my name?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyL5xdMjZz6
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLpQZ2D3vM
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyKhdxjuLJ
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HFJQCX3XX
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCp0CGLWJbU
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA0ORfGG6O
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjosXEsA0S
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxtnffuNSz
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg8LijDbVJ
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaARmpRkv7f
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GYvWt5RZ5
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNm4qHKbYHU
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafUXyUFzhZ
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNQ7MNwSQq
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"What are you going to do to me?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjEpFjqxUO
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ023b83itGo
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQLhfhVf3M
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN5FcraEsa
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42v7o6bUSm
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGiet1sdBG
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYI1HWHZJJ
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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:352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc00YYooeda
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The birds.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sqymqbkWQ
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOormZqWFpq
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxREAghJWPZ
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMsnxnZij0
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"I beg to differ."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfABxH1hPN
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8v6aYFnVhk
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5jQJSQ2GZ
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOZSI4axN5
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHHihziNkr
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLnsCou3KN
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE5n1zRNQ0
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSBusIkh4F
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9reEyKO5ve
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j1Qe4RkOG
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGI4kvc6sG
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSVRZzmbDZ
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7znPvZgam
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavbl7z5kR6
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxWTYaO1MI
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I winced. "She can do that?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd7xBoXrZ0
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q0Gmgv2eY
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuywR6k1ekG
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85qtKnkfrg
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFkLvsnenn
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpMn9EM0QV
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat8ahavG54
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgwYBEYiTK
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu1rNbEjRZ
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c10wqhKSM
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp6WnqlJ2O
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xv0zGmBcq
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYMrENdCxw
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q0dNXQXB7
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡma4VkWcfLD
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EGX2vYMr7
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjozoZ2DkE4
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IEYGF8b8d
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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?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTg3SG7QDL
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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?352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZedscythc
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPZ511JkNn
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8ZfZjJzAO
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVneMleLkHB
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGLBWV2zGx
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCQ061Zfqz
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5lyYWGLOI
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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?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejbFXpyCKs
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYcXH1IK2h
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbqJ8UpyFj
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXbvn8oQqO
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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?352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfyM3aagd2
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGPDtcrJME
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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?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfek8KkmaIW
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRICaooa4j
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMfmUAA5M7
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrln41m5PJ
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgosPETpx41
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S0UoGUCTM
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwqudyt3Yi
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoulb4H5kxR
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZ0LOOcMfU
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8lCH7qGLB
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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-?352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4r1RJ6h73
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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?352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeaGeOB3iB
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEfL0so2iV
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM9GAIQIo6
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaolkKhO5ot
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yK2LU2lGe
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJId9TsWy8L
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V5NoXTICb
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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?352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh8RgKK8W5
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx1O30Ka4M
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrpY6IOLyR
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6PnhFMRiT
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjVPDCWx6W
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRKMmxZ6uw
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEeVsc7mp5
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46Xb2xNvTC
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsjUcJFR2r
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl8BJzAYGv
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSPopq6wkd
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxwCsTed8d
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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?352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0O6V6wjg3
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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?352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW2XnBXLSs
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt4FfbCfDZ
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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?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jkCzQmaBA
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXehNzNpD2
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd7WoNMwpa
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKDXFYcRqy
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AwWAyOfJc
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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?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjZUSeCAi5
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNcPizVWeC
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJN69Ct0Pz
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrk4XR9HZlg
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48DcnEHrxw
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXad1bGSS78
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw8iDU4tSW
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiVEjKxgPt
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOczS4IJsh
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTiVY4gzpy
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwvYP1mnAF
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklRfodLWZX
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30tkv53pMH
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jfzf6CY2u
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tFNS73Pk8
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarncadfGOg
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuy7uVyaZh
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLZ8WpjTBw
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DLnfKOTNG
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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?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6NQ5irkIg
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"Did you summon them?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlC09tyR0q
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX566ncLk6g
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7jDgr6NZo
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrItNMtqxT
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta3pGZDWzX
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP12mBr5o0
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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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr0BODSeO1
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnsv1a4vSq
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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?352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHrnB873Fu
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjB3vrx2Fs
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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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qNDc6i49a
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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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