Five years ago499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwUJHEXu9j
Mpunde Girls Secondary School499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8PHohmyxq
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It's Saturday. Unlike other people, I now hate Saturdays. This is the one day I always got to enjoy when I was little, as it was one of the days that you don't get to go to school. You get to sleep late the night before and wake up whenever you felt like it. Now that I'm older and at a boarding school, Saturdays are almost like any other day of the week, especially when there's one thing happening that day: Inspection.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL8cK6n0TQ
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I groaned as I lazily sat up in bed. The morning bell hadn't rang yet and I noticed that almost everyone in the dorm were on their bunk beds, fast asleep. The good thing about Saturdays is that we get to wake up an hour late from the usual time. I looked out of the window across the room and saw the sun slowing rising up to the east. It's only a matter of time before one of the prefects sounds the morning bell. I better get up and head for the showers when there's still time.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcWpHJVa6y
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I got out of bed on the down bunk and stood. I looked at Christine on the top bunk, sound asleep. She has a weird way of sleeping with her arms over her head and one foot out of the covers, dangling over the edge of the bed. I always had to be careful when getting up from the down bunk because of it.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc6DYqPOwy
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I wore my slippers and started to make my bed. At the far end of the room, I heard the noisy creak of a bunk. Someone's up early too. I soon heard the sound of slippers and I turned to look down the aisle. It's Chileshe, our dorm prefect.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT20SmxRWV
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She stretched out her arms as she stood next to my bed. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she looked at me.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfguDHGePml
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"You're up early," she said and yawned afterwards.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZHAgWSgon
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"Yes, I am," I said as I folded the ends of the bed cover under the mattress. "How are you this morning?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlMWyXWoxb
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Chileshe had her hands on her hips as she arched her back, stretching.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRdELzkkG6
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"Ah, my body is aching because of sports," she answered. "And my legs feel like l've been wearing rocks for shoes."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xiIuSH1nW
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"Ya, I get the feeling," I said as I smiled at her. It's funny how I didn't feel my body ache so much like it always does after sports.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrsHJ1Yy32
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Chileshe yawned again and this time she tried to cover her mouth. She continued her way down the aisle for the door.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hE1FNekGG
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"I feel old already," I heard her mutter. I smiled at her as she walked away.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsEzQ7xaOA
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After making the bed, I changed out of my pyjamas and took my bath towel on top of the suitcase and covered my body with it. I fetched for my toothbrush and toothpaste in the suitcase. After unscrewing the toothpaste tube, I squeezed out a bit of paste and placed it atop the bristles of my toothbrush. After putting the toothpaste away, I went to the other side of the bed where the small locker was together with my bucket and Christine's piled over the other. I took my first towel behind the locker. It had tiny rails on three sides, making it easier for us to hang our things there. I placed the towel in the bucket and took my soap case in the locker, placing it in the bucket as well.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePNmTWkEhg
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I straigthened up and noticed Christine move. I thought she was going to wake up, but she didn't. It's best not to disturb her. She didn't like to be disturbed on a weekend when she at least had an extra hour of sleep.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmqHcmhp10
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With the toothbrush in my hand and the handle of my bucket in the other, I was ready to go for a bath. Just as I took a step into the aisle, I felt a weird sensation run through my neck. I froze for a minute, then turned around. I looked around the little space in between the bunk beds. I didn't seem to see anything unusual. My dorm mates on the next bunk were also fast asleep. What was that just now?499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHJcT49oWG
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I ignored it and walked down the aisle, heading out of the dorm.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ozwvbziRR
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When I stepped out, the first thing that caught my attention was the sunlight hitting the green leaves of the two trees on the lawns. A slight breeze blew past and the leaves swayed as though dancing to the soft tune of the wind. The whole dorm area is quiet. It felt exotic just to experience this moment of peace.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYXsl9tLMs
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I took in the lovely fresh air and smiled to myself as I headed for the ablution behind the dorms. So far, I hadn't met anyone on the way. The whole school must be asleep with probably a few of us awake at this time.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHNG2S4AwU
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I found myself outside the ablution. I had to fetch water first in the bucket outside the ablution building.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKu6mZMMLT
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The tap area was empty. I placed my bucket under one of the taps to draw water, then went inside the ablution. The place was cold and silent. It won't be long until the aisle gets flooded. I tried not to think about it as I went over to the sinks to brush my teeth.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xym6BygDK
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I ran my toothbrush a little under the open tap and placed it in my mouth. As I brushed, I heard one of the doors from either one of the shower cubicles or toilets draw open. I figured it must be Chileshe or somebody else. I spat out the toothpaste and rinsed with water. After spitting it out, I turned my head a little to see who is heading out of the ablution. But then, something struck my mind.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4bQr6dlI0
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I hadn't heard any footsteps.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4X0MQWyYZ
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I fully turned around to look behind me and I saw no one standing in the aisle. This is creepy. I couldn't even tell which door opened because most of the doors to the shower and toilet cubicles were either closed or opened. Some of them stood slightly ajar. I'm freaking out for no reason. Maybe one of the doors flew open due to the wind. The funny thing is, I never felt any breeze pass through the door the whole time I was in here.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgFFSkVSFk
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I walked out of the ablution not thinking too much about it. These things happen. The last thing I want is to think about ghosts and what not.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFnnh161qs
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Outside the tap area, I found my bucket overflowing with water and I quickly closed the tap. Soon enough, Chileshe walked out of the ablution.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBEGOW8RJU
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I didn't say anything as she headed for the dorm area. Maybe it was her whom I had heard. I almost blew out a sigh of relief, but I soon realised that I had my toothbrush in between my teeth. The last thing I want is for it to drop to the ground. The tuck shop where we buy most of our necessities from rarely opens on the weekends.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd1Jkmbl7N
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaFK5V90QJ
I went inside the ablution and got to the first shower cubicle. I swung the little wooden door open with my foot and stepped inside with the bucket and the soap case. Once I closed the door, I started to bath.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IQPmQnx3C
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I hummed to myself a familiar song. It's nice to have the entire ablution to yourself sometimes. You get to make as much noise as you want. It sometimes reminds me of how much noise I would make back home in the bathroom.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6kLjSvp8B
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As I poured water all over my body, I thought I heard a noise outside the shower cubicle.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt4yji9kLO
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG21QjFoGF4
I stopped what I was doing to hear, but after a long quiet pause, I continued to bathe.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl1rIjKna5
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Within a few minutes, I heard the faint sound of the metal bell being hit. It's time for the whole school to wake up. I'm already done with my bath. I wrapped and tied the bath towel around my body, poured away the remaining water in the bucket and stepped out of the cubicle. I heard the faint sound of footsteps outside, and I knew some girls were making their way to the ablution.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPrm8F14lu
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I'm about to head out, when I hear something fall to the floor with a loud thud. I looked down the aisle. It felt like the noise came from the far end of the ablution.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXZr2wVlp5
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Should I go and check it out, I ask myself. I don't think it's anything to worry about. I decide to go out when the door to the ablution soon shut itself in front of me. I stare at it, startled. Did it just close in on itself? There was no one standing outside to have done so.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC3d1OgK67
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB1XF1wzf6
I turned back to look at the far end of the ablution and soon, the whole place grew colder than usual. The hair at the back of my neck stood up. I felt a sudden presence hiding behind the corner of the last shower cubicle, their breathing echoing around the ablution. Or was it just me?499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig34dDc4La
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I started to rub my arms with my hands. The place felt like a freezer now. I breathed out through my mouth and saw cold mist lingering in the air before disappearing. What's going on here?
The deep breathing at the corner became much deeper this time. I wonder who could be behind there. Should I go and see who it is? The thought of doing so, made me freak out a little as I felt my heart start to beat faster. All this made me remember something that I wish I could forget.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZHo2C4oj5
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The day I met Death.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp6YtMWqjQ
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I took a step back and found myself hitting my back onto the sink that was now icy cold. I looked around and noticed the place slowly getting covered in ice. I started to shiver like crazy now. Did Death finally catch up to me like he said he would? Was this really the end for me?499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpaEVxHuhS
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The floor beneath was covered with ice and I shivered like hell. If Death really is here, he would have faced me like he did before. Why isn't he doing so now?499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lSI648AT4
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The breathing continued at the far end and I thought, if he isn't going to face me, I better go to him, ending this once and for all.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0uvXo58Fm
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66RM9uNPXw
I dropped my almost frozen bucket onto the icy floor and slowly walked down the aisle, shivering. As I walked, snow started to fall from the ceiling. I looked up and didn't see the tinned roof, but white clouds. I looked back down and it was then that I realised that I wasn't in the ablution. Where there was supposed to be a line of shower and toilet cubicles, stood a line of tall pine trees covered in snow.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEPeE5xUaB
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Where am I? Snow and pine trees? What is this place? How did I get here?499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcqit5sfo0
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFnT2SNdPz
I stopped on my tracks and for a second, I forgot how cold I felt. I had never experienced snow before. I couldn't believe it. It never snows in Zambia. It never has. We do experience very cold winters in June and July, and sometimes during the rainy seasons. But it has never snowed before. I am definitely somewhere else.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSVDOQok4i
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I held out my hand and a few snowflakes fell onto my open palm. It was then that I noticed my hands were very pale. I remembered the day I met Death. I was just as cold as this, but there wasn't any snow or trees around.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMRXHSJ2hT
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDJ76vRB8v
The deep breathing I heard earlier caught my attention again, and I followed the noise. Maybe if I found whoever is there, they might help me out. If I stayed out here like this in only a towel and slippers, I'll freeze to death. Now that surely would be the end of me.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuaXXQmXDY
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The pine trees were neatly lined up on either side, and I continued to walk down the aisle to whoever was straight ahead. It's a pity I couldn't move fast enough with all the thick snow at my feet, slowing me down. Not to mention my legs were growing numb due to the cold that moving them felt like I had stones tied around my feet.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AyXuhju8I
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The person's breathing grew louder and within minutes, I found myself at the end of the aisle where the line of trees ended. And in front of me stood a vast land of snow, covering the ground for hundreds of miles.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrAMcHGFPH
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I continued to look onwards hoping to see if there were any buildings nearby or a few trees like the ones behind me, but no luck.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVmzRqiC0K
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I shivered and I continued to breath heavily. My lungs were getting affected by the cold. Now I see why people in the Northern Hemisphere who experience snow get to wear a lot of warm clothes. I am in dire need of them right now.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGry1uH57sO
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I heard deep breathing again and I quickly looked to my left towards the last tree on the aisle. I saw a black cloth on the snow behind the tree. There was someone seated there on the snow with their back against the tree wrapped in a black cotton blanket or something. The head was tilted to the side that I couldn't see the person's face.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1hlNYiPHZ
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"Hello?" I called out as I slowly approached.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3cXqQqJxt
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The person didn't respond and I noticed that the person wore a black hood over their head. I stopped for moment, thinking that I've stumbled upon Death while he's asleep. But then, I realised that the person under the hood is human. Death wouldn't be leaning against a tree in the middle of nowhere taking a nap, would he?499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJMigT33po
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I slowly continued my approach and was within arms length. I stretched out my cold, shivering hand to hold the person's shoulder and try to wake them up.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHWB4Sq5kG
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Just when my fingers were inches away, the person's left hand wrapped in a black glove, abruptly held my hand by the wrist. I gasped in fright and my heart beat quickened. I tried to back away, but the grip on my wrist tightened all the more that I felt my bone would snap.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCTjQJNyFt
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"Aargh!" I yelled, trying to pull away, but to no avail.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF07XIOsBPu
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The person hadn't even flinched and I wondered what could be running through his or her mind right now. By the grip around my wrist, I could tell this person is strong, and very dangerous.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC77pqWXuP
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"Let me go, you're hurting me!" I yelled.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBukVQCR39
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The hand tightened again and this time, the pain was excruciating that I fell to my knees in the snow, yelling in pain. My bone is on the verge of snapping for sure.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG4u1UkRXk
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"What are you doing? Let me go!"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNdlSYDGuM
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The person finally moved, turning their head slightly just to look at me. I still couldn't make out a face because the person had a black mask covering the lower half of their face, and I couldn't make out the eyes.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN6XR1teNS
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My other hand held on to the top of my towel, stopping it from falling. It would be embarrassing if it did and the person in front of me turns out to be a man. But that meant I couldn't even try to defend myself with my other hand held in a tight grip.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWp94Nr0wb
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"Please, let me go," I pleaded. My knees were buried deep into the snow and that made me freeze all the more.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHNnfRaEKZ
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"What are you doing here?" the person asked in a female voice.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT2TDTTAf6
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I paused. The person is a she. I tried to say something but my mouth couldn't produce any words. There was something about her that made me shake even more.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF5QwPYsHv
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"I asked what you're doing here? You're not supposed to be here."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4RRvDAHbH
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"I-I," I stuttered. "I just found myself here. I..., I don't know how I got here."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtP8pvDQtN
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"Leave," she said as she pushed my hand away with so much force that I nearly fell in the snow on my side. I quickly held my aching wrist.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvi9GBRzYc
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"But I don't know how to get back," I said. I looked at my wrist. Where she had held me still ached. It also felt hot that I could see my skin redden despite how cold my body felt.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzkAs1l7KZ
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The person moved her head again like she was staring at the clouds up above. "This place isn't meant for you."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nhGKKUaoG
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"Yes, I can see that," I nervously chuckled. I stopped when she didn't say anything.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrRXtTLJES
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"Tell me how to get back," I said. "I can't stay here much longer."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXTx9voUHA
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"I can't help you," the woman replied, still looking upwards. "You'll have to figure it out on your own."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanVW7OMyxQ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAxe5eLhFK
She slowly stood up from where she sat and I realised that she had been sitting on a wooden plank. It was barely visible with all the snow around, slightly buried in it. Her black cloak almost reached her feet. I still couldn't see her face as she looked the other way.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRWtBLsCMD
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"How am I supposed to get back when I don't even know how I got here?" I asked.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4PQ0I6RZ8
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"Like I said, you'll figure it out on your own," the woman said as she slowly started to walk away.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnSVW4zPaG
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"Wait, don't go," I called out to her as I stood up from the snow. I could feel my body freeze all over and I stared at my fingers. The cold was getting to me for sure. My fingers were numb and slowly starting to swell. The thought of them turning black due to frost bite terrified me.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvwfPsyXWr
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Soon, my body gave in and I found myself falling back onto the snow on my knees. What's happening to me?499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoQquQBPAT
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I looked up at the woman slowly walking away into a vast emptiness ahead. There was a cold breeze and I knew I wasn't going to last much longer.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfylxTAEE46
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"Please...," I said, my teeth starting to clatter against each other. "Help..., me."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVkeVGplO1
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The woman stopped walking and she slowly turned around to face me. What is she going to do? I couldn't read her intentions, not when I can't see her eyes under the hood.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZajLFVRGz
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All of a sudden, she came at me, fast. I didn't have time to react as I felt her hand around my neck.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFBVVfVLRL
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This time, she was close enough that I saw her eyes. They glowed a bright terrifying red, like that of a monster. I held her hand around my neck trying to push it away. She held me tight just like she did before, and she slowly brought me closer to her face. I could feel something strange from her, cold and dangerous that it would scare anyone away. I wonder why I didn't feel it earlier. It felt oddly familiar.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq8VOSTihi
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"Whatever you do, don't you ever, ever come back here!" she yelled at me. "At least try not to."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnij8aVs1jR
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqguK0QjK9
She sounded calm and sincere on that last statement. I wonder why. Why is she so nice to me all of a sudden? She seemed like one who wandered off alone and didn't like to be around people, so I practically messed up her day by showing up here. I wish she couldn't hold my neck so tight if she really did care. But I couldn't speak with her hand squeezing my windpipe, and I simply didn't have the time to.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bfd72GglT
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbagda2OlW
Her red glowing eyes shined even brighter that I felt my eyes burn and start to water. Soon, I felt my whole face start to burn up too.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmPWi8SAJK
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoTJ3IRBE1
I tried letting out a scream, but I couldn't hear myself doing so. Everything around me started to disappear and all I could see was red. My whole body was burning up like I had been poured acid, melting away my skin. This time, I screamed for sure.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jPAKLmYaR
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2lKkvKOko
I open my eyes, finding myself back in the ablution near the sinks close to the now open door.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nHHlMOPwt
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V6Klf3Jpa
I start to look around. Where is all the snow and the trees? The woman? Am I really back? But how?499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpz7cafuqA
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWg9FXjOsKK
The ablution still remained empty with only me inside. Hadn't the morning bell rang? Where is everyone?499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqloGhcCAQ1
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqDJfNBbIi
I didn't need to panick as I heard the buckets by the tap area draw water and a few girls talking. I placed my hand onto my chest and drew out a breath. I'm really back. But then, I started to panic again. I quickly held my face and looked at the rest of my body. I thought my skin had been burnt beyond recognition. That would've been horrible. What if the other girls saw me in such a state? They would scream that's for sure.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cQbNG3cwk
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuwHLdIrUn
I turned around to look into the mirror above the sink. I'm okay, I told myself. Thank goodness. I went on ahead to run a hand around my neck where the woman had held me. There weren't any marks. I looked down at my left wrist. No marks there either. This is strange. What I had experienced felt real, almost like my encounter with Death. I never came out without a wound or a scratch, but I really did die that day. How come the encounter with the woman felt different yet oddly familiar at the same time?499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gDpJxAa65
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMLlLv3tqS
I couldn't dwell on that for now, as a girl came into the ablution in her pyjamas, carrying a bucket. I had to go and get dressed. Standing here made me feel like the whole place would get cold again.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKH7lUk7Kt
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7Wvm8vgQ8
I walked out of the ablution with my bucket in hand and headed for the dorm. When I got there, almost everyone was out of bed. A few were still asleep. Christine was one of them.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFymAnF8rPk
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPotbHuxk3
"Wake up, you," I said as I came to our bunk and gently slapped her on the cheek.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgkmnAxItE
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB09hMGtFd
"Awwh, Diana!" she protested as she turned around to face the other side.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1x0zUJXT1
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN3BhsdgeZ
"You're forgetting that today is Saturday," I said as I went to the other side of the bunk to get dressed.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDmaFS0Gg6
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmupfPddwhi
"You said it yourself. It's Saturday."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuELKxYqb7p
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6VG1obvBP
"It's inspection day."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcC2NycnXd
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP4JfkeOND
She quickly sat up on her elbow to look at me. "I thought inspection is tomorrow."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSu9IACJeq
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mJphGV1N6
"Inspection day last week was on a Sunday."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGfIRos0vV
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ab44OC7RW
"Ahhh!" she muttered as she fell back in the covers. "Now I really need to get up."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3yvVNDo3U
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LtGxaF1QP
"You surely do."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRqTIVbEfi
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNLeFCUYjW
Christine soon sat up and jumped down from the top bunk, landing with a loud thud. I've always told her not to do that. There are ladders on the bunk beds for us to get down safely. I certainly didn't feel like reminding her today. My words always fell on deaf ears.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3Tdf53wy3
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPcTl8pCzi
"How come you managed to bath so early?" she asked.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbjZYbZTFU
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNVpo82LKz
"I woke up early," I answered as I opened my suitcase to get my lotion.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUUkmSoQaI
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknLndGbVFn
"I better go," she said as she got her slippers from under the bunk. She took her bucket and towel, before making her way to the door.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYeUwHimbe
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv5aZFotS5
As I dressed up, putting on my white shirt and plain black skirt, I remembered how cold I felt in that place full of snow. For once, I felt grateful that I'm back. I really thought I was going to die there.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJdMCOC8hT
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq984eCU965
I soon sat on my bed and looked around the dorm. Almost all the bunk beds were empty. Pretty much everybody is in the ablution right now. I had plenty of time to myself, so I might just head out to do my morning chores. It might be the weekend, but we still have duties to attend to.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfELC86ViA
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCTPNZcY4Y
Then it happened again. A weird chill down my spine. I held the back of my neck and shuddered. What is this feeling? And why do I feel I've to go outside?499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivvqBY1NCN
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZHTnZgwj9
I got up from the bunk, making my way out of the dorm. In doing so, I looked over at Amanda's bunk. It was empty, her bed properly made. I tried not to look at the bunk bed next to hers; Chisha's. I try to ignore this feeling I've about her after that dream I had, but I realise that it's hard to do so. With everything I've gone through lately, I feel there's a lot I don't know about.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0kvpdvur0
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eWsignHlK
I soon found myself by the door and just as I walked out of the room, I almost ran into Chisha. Well..., my morning couldn't get any weirder.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HUaRbcBVm
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KFpquHwSn
"Morning, Diana," said Chisha.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5LtM1cnXF
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6j6M7uKCT
"Morning," I said.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaBHsqLHF5
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3m4r3xgPU
We didn't speak any further as she entered the dorm and I walked down the corridor, heading out of the dorm area. I still had this weird feeling about her. I wish I knew why. If I do find out what it is, something tells me it won't be pretty.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hM6PaKAWW
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcwEY2T1U8
I went through the gate that lead the way out, and as soon as I was on the other side, I noticed that the environment around me felt so peaceful. There was no one around. Far ahead was the garden, and next to it the poultry. I remembered what happened there yesterday.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuQ9XOqFnz
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgB9jxTXCr
A thought struck me. I'm supposed to meet Stella and the others today. But I shouldn't worry since one of them would come and get me.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTLCuNbGBa
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSasATgqI0N
I started to make my way to the dining area. My dorm mates and I had switched from working at the orchard to the dining. There's always a switch in duties among dormitories.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3j1DGdnM2
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7Sgndx5cR
On my way, I passed the library, and ahead was the garage where the school packed it's truck and also where they kept other equipment like the brooms used for sweeping the outside area. I hoped that the garage was open, but it was locked. Lucky enough, someone was kind enough to leave the brooms outside.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59QERQ18YB
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPbjGSYz3i
As soon as I reached the garage door, I took one of the brooms. I was about to head for the dining hall right in front of me when the wind blew and I felt a weird chill down my spine, stronger this time. It's as if there's someone behind me.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpjIQlQ45o
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlxe8RrPUt
I turned around. There's nobody there. Strange.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaGMPKOqRI
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cPRP4le4K
I turned back around, and immediately I did, I found myself bumping into something that clearly wasn't there before. I hit my forehead and nose in the process.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uEpWJLruv
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5Z5PTv9AD
"Ouch," I muttered, holding my nose. My eyes started to water because of the pain.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7kUNo8MdC
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHln6tL5hRC
"You really should be looking where you're going," came a male voice in front of me.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQBVMmMOtx
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyAAgQJMmm
I opened my watery eyes and the first thing that caught my eye was a purple cloak.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQCsB3Jtdi
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4hp7jyVXV
I quickly took a step back and beneath the hood was the man from yesterday. I didn't get to see his face then, but this time, I did.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXoXTGIj4o
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxrNlT2hxJ
His mouth raised up into a smile. A corky one for that matter.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0BqnFzxzG
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGDQ5aynjX
"You're the man from yesterday," I said, still holding my nose.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6GQ2n6LfI
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU7oMOjWGp
"Yes, I am," he said. "You probably don't know my name. I'm Ryan. I see you got my signal."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAU7ZrCuzc
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXWGFMUtnt
I didn't say anything as I continued to look at him. I soon dropped my hand. I noticed that his eyes were blue like the sky above me. They reminded me of my grandmother- my mother's mum- who also started to develop blue eyes due to her old age. But his were a much deeper blue than hers.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs3rZCiLpH
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKY5kQOcTBv
"Wait..., what signal?" I asked.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLkzExtjy2
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCKAf8qXeC
"You didn't feel anything strange back in your room?" he asked with a worrying look on his face.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUp4jXYTrV
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr4y8Fiztk
I soon remembered the weird chill I felt back in the dorm as I held the back of my neck. He should have signaled me at a better time than that.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtsaW2B0M0
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJZCV9RthE
"If we're done with introductions," he said, "let's get going."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoc1CwY5D4
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9trTMY4kN
"Wait, you're taking me with you right now?" I asked just when he was about to turn around and lead the way.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoITiRdgkGw
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJCABZPxAk
"That was the agreement, wasn't it?" he asked with his eyebrow raised.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXUIYT5E3l
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4CLicUGtS
"Ummm...," I turned to look behind me to see if anyone had shown up. Hard luck. I turned back to him. "Do you think it's okay if I don't go right now?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9Jj7VY3W6
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOF0NANG6H
He gave me a serious look and I regretted saying that. He had his hands cupped before him, obviously contemplating about who knows what.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7bTjTWxFB
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PfKZm6jMH
"Didn't we agree that your training starts today?" he asked.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98E2jbKuMV
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEesN2OHV9n
"If you think about it, you ordered that training starts today. I practically didn't agree on anything."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdOISdYwos
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ1nlhYbUm
"Don't try to wiggle your way out of this, Diana." He leaned closer. "Your training is of utmost importance."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNEFf88spV
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1WMlKi5Hr
"But how important is it? So much is happening right now that no one's telling me. Your people seem to know, but I've to go through training before I get a reasonable explanation."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5vYOgikmE
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfscM2hDObI
"We know you don't understand what's going on and that's why we want to help you."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkTBMe4n6P
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORmzGqQdeb
"Oh, really? And how is this 'training' going to help me?" This time I raised my eyebrow at him.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHBcYwCQuu
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwqHQiRHTY
"It's going to give you the answers you're looking for and to get you prepared." The corner of Ryan's lips raised up into a smile.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyQQisrxqJ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB3NrUXUxD
"Is it physical? Am I going to learn some kind of skill?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DbEAtT9wU
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkO7EpWmhY
"All these questions are going to make my head ache." He straightened himself. "Come on, we better hurry."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa0TSxB4KG
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiuvQ4YRmh
"Wait a minute," I said, stopping him from turning around again.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBL9dCw7Eh
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpzZLACsMJ
"What now?" I could tell in his voice that he's irritated. I probably looked like an annoying child that wouldn't stop bothering him.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu5cHPstPd
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfKBRWTQSa
"I've my duties to do first and there's breakfast that I can't miss. Also-"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaU8GC1VYW
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzrRnmEd1J
"Hold on a minute, young lady," Ryan held up his hand to stop me from talking, "all that doesn't matter. No one is going to notice that you're gone."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewf9vD6Xy7
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnH6IKwd07
"Are you sure? I may not be the most popular girl around, but I've friends that will notice that I'm not here."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8BQkhIzQ0
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSxcmzQabe
"That's why I'm telling you, no one will notice. Not even them. And if you're worried about breakfast, you'll have something at the island. We don't want you training on an empty stomach."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcbJyvmhZW
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OQ8te8m8o
"Oh..., this training is physical, then?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuB1Cz6oZe
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOhqDl3rfU
"You'll see when we get there. Can we please go now?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYhtSdYABL
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgMT2jImnN
"Well..., alright." I dropped the broom onto the ground.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY2sapE0AP
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3xeUfg6kv
"Good," said Ryan as he finally turned around. "You ask too many questions for your own good. You can't have an answer to everything."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78a9SEW49t
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl6nunnZZs
"I hope it won't come to that," I answered as he lead the way behind the garage.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQxe05pl8h
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9JyeXMlFs
I heard him scoff. "Some day you'll."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjAXkzzno8
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIRDiM2WRG
We stopped behind the garage and beyond it were houses. The teacher's compound. No one was allowed there except the prefects in case any emergency occurred in school that required any of the teachers' attention.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT56tceh5pg
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n4dc8dVtL
I turned to look at Ryan who now faced the wall of the garage. With his right hand he reached for something inside his right sleeve. He pulled out what looked like a long straight stick, purple in colour. It was then that I realized that it wasn't a stick, but a pencil. I wondered what he was going to do with it as he approached the wall. He looked at the wall as though contemplating on something. Then with the pencil, he begun to draw.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZnNTENjXf
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2Dc8A2UTc
"What are you doing?" I asked, surprised that someone like him would graffiti the wall. "That's not allowed."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntz4nVsDTD
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Aaz52cQjz
"I'm drawing us a way out of here," he replied. I noticed that the purple pencil had a purple lead instead of black, leaving a trail like a thick crayon.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUTjn4BrRd
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwWz2DGD5J
"How is drawing going to take us where we need to go?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0wC3yufl0
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqLRpa2b5p
"Already full of questions, huh?" Ryan asked as he finished drawing a full round circle, almost his height. "Don't you watch fantasy movies?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1KYey86xm
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4LcEQ1IoU
"Of course I watch fantasy movies," I said, upset with him questioning me about such. If anything, I am a big fan of fantasy.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqi9P491cE
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFawRHyiAo0
"Good, then you should know that everything isn't always as it seems." He started to draw something inside the circle. "You've heard of teleporting from one place to another, right?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUjEBMzcPp
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFuoFlfkYf
"I have. For you to do so, two places are supposed to be linked together, hence taking you through in what seems like an invisible doorway to the other side. There are other cases that don't apply to such where you can teleport however you want."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RN4mPjjCu
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCzRwmixWN
"Good, you're sharp, I can give you that," he said as he continued to draw. The drawing started to take shape of a butterfly.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTF8HTZJaj
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcndxGQWczQ
"So this drawing will lead us to the island?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovqFWCizxX
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIeiNMj070
"Yes. There's a matching butterfly symbol on the island; many of them actually, but one of them acts like a doorway. You can easily come and go to the island, but you need to learn something important first." He finished the drawing of the butterfly dissected into four parts.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM8PzoJUYm
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYJBxgA5pA
"What is it?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi0NunPJZJ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2KU0OsHVN
"How to use it. It's not some ordinary drawing. You need to activate it for it to act as a doorway."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoXvUgJ7s3
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3DycKN9Kb
"How do you activate it?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWGxNw2nBT
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCf2Fy9QvNP
"By a chant." He turned to look at me.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0rY7ttkXV
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpYGUNxVUP
"A chant? Meaning I've to say something?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJYDlplgww
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAhvBE6g2G
"Yes. The bad part is, you don't know the language yet."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmWT80CKwA
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GwJPhuxuW
"Oh..., that language," I muttered as I remembered the writings I saw on the doorway of the Butterfly Temple.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTkwPXAhcx
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiW1zbA3MB
"Don't worry, it isn't as hard as you think." Ryan beamed at me.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBDIihP4cQ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOlTQ3rYdP
"Easy for you to say. I've the man in green teaching it to me."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5sTFtWCKq
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"He's a handful, but Bob isn't that bad when you get to know him."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHNNO7HuSJ
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"I beg to differ," I quietly muttered to myself as Ryan turned to look back at the drawing.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfKmbllCMI
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"Okay, we better get going."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw90dEo0Dd
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Ryan stretched out his hand and laid it on the drawing. He soon started to chant in a strange language I had never heard before. The air around started to change. It was getting warmer and I noticed the drawing on the wall start to glow.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBd9tLUBvZ
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Ryan stopped chanting and dropped his hand. Soon enough, the glow from the drawing had also died down. For a moment, I thought the wall would part in half revealing the other side, but so far, there was no change.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeukFvxP5Kj
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"Is that it?" I asked Ryan.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrk4r35JUq
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"That is it," he said as he turned his head to look at me. "All we've to do is walk through." He pressed his hand onto the wall where the drawing was and it went right through.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC4WRU34xW
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"Wow. But wait..., won't someone find the drawing and get dragged in by accident?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJzT9jaSei
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"That's a good question. No, they won't be able to see the drawing because I've concealed it from human eyes and from supernatural creatures, except you, of course. And don't worry, if anyone were to find themselves leaning on this part of the wall, they won't get dragged in."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvwZJQ3jhY
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"So, I can use this doorway from now on to get to the island, right? Does that mean I can come visit whenever I want?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf90Wcq3wsy
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Ryan smacked his lips, and I realized that I wasn't going to like his answer.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wrgkXqwFT
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"For now, the doorway will open only when you're summoned for training. Until you learn the language, I'm afraid you can't come and go as you please."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡia5pZczxu0
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"But what if there's an emergency here and I need your help?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVlWZ034f4
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"Don't worry, there's something for that too. I'll tell you about it later. Right now, we've to get moving."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGqA9hdEFE
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"Okay." I slumped my shoulders. Learning can sometimes be a pain, but something told me I might like what I'll learn at the island, even though it might take a toll on me.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv8Nx1NkdK
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Ryan lead the way by walking towards the drawing and went through the wall, disappearing out of sight. I swallowed as I also took a step forward. When I approached, I closed my eyes just in case I find myself hitting the solid wall instead. I took another step and I felt myself stepping into a whole different world. There was a warm feeling around me, like I've been wrapped in a warm blanket. When I continued going forward, the effect soon subsided and I knew I was in a whole different environment.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQrPFWAXpL
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"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Ryan asked.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhguA9YwjYZ
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I opened my eyes and I found myself in what looked like a lovely flower garden. I quickly turned to look behind me and there stood a bronze statue of the butterfly symbol. That's the other doorway Ryan was talking about, and it stood on a round stone dias.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEpZOv3QUJ
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"Come on, we better get going," said Ryan. I quickly turned to see him walk down the steps of the dais to the stone aisle below. "The others are waiting for us."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY1UOpTpZI
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I quickly rushed down to catch up to him towards what felt to me like an adventure.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMMyFJJJIG
