"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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4znkWhDd67
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcSbyUfcVM
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbizT3qErK
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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..."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYXosflRrZ
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxtdwurCjQ
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHq5bdQhSh
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"I'm fine," I said.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPAsWZP3TL
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuFOPPAtzJ
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mylla7rfC
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwBZccQfAu
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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?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESo3ahmp6O
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdlbxL0wXw
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQnNLQuvxb
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0bKvljUmT
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKwlm3TkDe
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"It's really nice," I commented.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE9oYyRNzK
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIvX9msvw8
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vDR4z3uw1
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhukFGy5Bd
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TWz0LQ0HY
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uyyT7rBk8
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH06JMTEi5
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfOg9QDQOb
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMlcNIY0u0
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFQ8k0HYGJ
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5Me37xcRp
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvoxwCunqO
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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?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc5vnvBDHy
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8rgQPP7tl
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHN20AA86T
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbunH4agX63
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"What is it?" I asked.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53yTZUxjzE
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL94AbojoHQ
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp9E1Q37P7
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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?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBE9LSBAOc
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYRuIoUkAU
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJdkUW8vuo
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6IgPDbAnB
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgAGCDlXxV
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx4p3FMZke
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwxycZkG2U
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RGEwe12S1
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjH7FCSQFw
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0EWUWfnWB
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Au22sPhBD
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolGBbEDJz4
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUy6ztqjjV
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA39xbmKcUL
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7ufYulaEW
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3wD4MIOez
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KQWwpKHl2
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczDkjYdbcT
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWadzOH4iK
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn0bPwoyNI
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jVFjKNzF9
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaIvj9twfc
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jpzFMrVDY
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L0jU2Kb0q
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThfkJINFWx
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvU0YRr5nB
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVZxaWZ1sh
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyo43ILLjN
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWnMmSxAI0
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJXL97QFZ8
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiCNdmxiUY
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFhSjjEZIn
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSBzpaiTVo
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhckvHZoltP
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Y7eCEXR4C
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuJ2veXtcK
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y2y5UrPIQ
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBzfVHtvNc
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHru5MihcG4
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEQdqw0Fu1
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWs3qR5t92
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jfLLqSrvb
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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?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn4gKiWlhC
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtstlWhS79A
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh3uFfRecU
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytFaan3jI1
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUmCWZEzy5
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWliNqweV5V
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwgsWLbw1g
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrRv09b2F5
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy9jetfKyz
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"Ask me something else, then."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssdJg8RQFg
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"Who are you?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeyq0LbPGW
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77zDCETmnd
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91ZatzWVX0
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtmlMKrrQo
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IvMqNgF1F
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGTQwwSWy9
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"How do you know my name?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU94QX0SnH5
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vORXqsJ1d
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmblORBtFd
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoCOfeJSSW
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapeMfEx8Hs
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZiVgaFPr6
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUubnHWG8r
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2tTPhEhc4
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp1cfYiBj0
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ewLBfeQdn
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBHiJneUfF
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡum4jv0Akok
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfAiH0PUqU
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINKr39bXXY
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"What are you going to do to me?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTyJfmvZBO
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0P6du67Dc
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd658W7QoWD
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ936xVYDh2K
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgQIJgZXn1
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSfOEnWQtt
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnAaS1LvLO
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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:371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCpXApGB3r
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The birds.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSxVmp4W5Q
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYskeIdh7h
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHKOSEG7OG
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg4JWsCnX1
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"I beg to differ."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUTsQcNkDP
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmrkmdeB1m
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6HgHQUwAf
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdi0qvoLjJ
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Jq5vpA1iC
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB32ablCEu
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiQxQdlo04
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN6QqFcTAl
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9cRL01kk2
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LiUWVEyDg
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S4ig0W2Rv
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXnjHPDfVo
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0cxLuN01A
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7vYoXI1NB
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDZCBZXRhS
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I winced. "She can do that?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjMyNIVt3Y
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpiekxGWGQ
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxTujGygYQ
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I7ck2iQEt
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS0KMLFAdQ
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W3MP6aaIg
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM75UiYIGb
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQeLAcTXCs
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwqvbEc0NG
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWCRCP6aIq
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OshRCexKP
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4lnPL1mlm
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86aoJXawlL
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOKDtnWznp
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdRcNwrgc1
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE0YN5tBWv
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJG8Lczzrv
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIcMfWjCeS
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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?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86uCr3Ast6
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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?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XzRnPfvrh
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wga5QjfdX
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b2EeDD1tp
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eomdSjGC2
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvNCzuNniD
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZEWJh6yTT
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKBtvHLjxd
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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?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iiEs7AN6p
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09upjRiWOM
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhO5iCFbvw
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwwUXjdstr
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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?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNvFDOhF5T
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuYTyAm3kd
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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?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LYzImciJo
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWLPfNSS8U
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KDy79Mcra
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmsgOZHTAv
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJrtJDbCcP
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIME2C19Mio
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycR3r7VZ33
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGAetVNzNn
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMyGa1IUcs
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfuun0D6Tr
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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-?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NPAhudMvw
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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?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uQ1Xc0fXW
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGVMAMuDbL
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQyriBuZlI
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcqwEcPaI1
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPfrLcdyCV
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d7ElVtrAg
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQE9UpcZr9
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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?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh8xqYOLJe
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJaRCZiDXM
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkf4LHobQs
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG139J8ViK
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgY5cvuK0h
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgRUwEZnZM
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPol8ovW9ag
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvP90Jn3id
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjNAmUELR5
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEX93SwEPM
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQvyd4zOQa
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8dMrrpyu2
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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?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIfZHYGfqa
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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?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFNStLEntk
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZi6NCFoNR7
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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?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjn0GuA0VwU
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCmszv2Ttj
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftr5R5pT24
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmEMNValJz
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc7CCGqPg3
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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?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhD5xVBpjY
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRBqjBa7Ie
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ95SrL5bEG
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBkxe3Hut3
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEOJckwBaW
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSymcScm4I
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68OQUazmVK
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfsdMYJTke
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm3guV8Th8
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZZauPeiMu
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMgIvalVOk
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTj643b9KP
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRanzeB2eEv
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vtc29tHy5
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUxBkgPL84
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6RKD3Gdbx
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB9mn0phdg
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3y4tVfmsf
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVKZrlW7AV
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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?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD775Ftnfou
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"Did you summon them?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq50bKmHXx5
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX5iSVwSWN
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTds0CAmSM
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo2nPYvev8
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0ysqnVVam
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmfIeSiLGZ
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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."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM0GVlJrns
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa4M7cqKiW
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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?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqAlQJtx5Y
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQPKlPyKn6
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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.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJrfE2J4zL
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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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