"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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIB6pnORwSS
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhkxvHLiYR
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYZ8yFIGzH
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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..."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNieGEGnHq
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgu4n17TRp
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRXBxTaCm3
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"I'm fine," I said.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrxIauz6hh
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2fMDefYKi
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU9IgxJ841
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3uvmPBOVJ
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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?347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPOW0gY7Q8
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHwZ3LVecM
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YRQOb71Az
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8uUpFB0DJ
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxt1Pg2OkZZ
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"It's really nice," I commented.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovPMFRnOBF
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDbcqDDA1G
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnewCpU5Rml
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AFtqKMr4z
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4OIi9VrV3
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sezlUTSKi
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdVWG0ORg2
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl9tSfL9da
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhwP6P1Zgy
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKC5qVBjNh
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUlPXtqzkR
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkufExWMaw8
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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?347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryDEG10k9m
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVXbv9R3hi
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuCgVK8lqX
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxcwYHkpRr
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"What is it?" I asked.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3Optomf8k
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHD9N3Ns4r
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeex6bLdrXU
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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?347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKjASf3UYC
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4r3UHBISu
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY3SkTwonJ
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2sMmhOpOH
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jd9Ubky9z
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIx9hWOtki
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL3AO1CGcL
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6CJvlpnte
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzPEajSVMD
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7pDyIwl20
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNn0KPZ0ms
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVXg98qiOh
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcqcLOu0Kk
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0Grm5CGgV
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTSPc27hno
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmB6dkMEGK
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQZoVCrzTK
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ5gPHGp9r
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENMZGxL5sD
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbo1bQi1Tg7
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbscUCaDskh
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjiLHyfi7F
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3WMnvo6MT
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5jMbuUjPj
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshFVrjZXTO
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vIEpSyXBK
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kXY3ykQBF
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkklbU0hQy
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre1htKtTE9
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHRe0dSnUl
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovHJyUFL4G
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KekTjNRmU
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToSDVBrcjy
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2anQtnQErV
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dPiCnsRec
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6JUKaimZS
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYRD1FxoIW
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ10FwmQX6y
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJq0P6KUJzw
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PTt95Z7So
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaExZRUPyI
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4KGJRH53T
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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?347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUk3hDjfrD
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc9r0FcPms
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdAf3zFFD2
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEg6p666OI
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHdr2XALxP
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7wN2Hi2zI
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypO4ZEn56I
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiB48oVrAv
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhakzaFggL
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"Ask me something else, then."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIptcsPYUFc
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"Who are you?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXwpOlHAcf
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaCmyuUd9a
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTj4SBxaR9
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSTMLTFrrk
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMneRvOY9Tu
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHipzabxHXT
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"How do you know my name?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygLKu8JLJ0
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsylmCC2g68
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx1GIrKP4A
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEkKGF1IcK
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnljSvmHitA
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7JJAzky7b
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n9LIAFMdc
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlcFkrjTYZ
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hPmccbX2s
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9r2FZOGEYC
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWnUcD7Ise
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoatDC0aFfj
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYfQ8e00Nc
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s172gYxU6
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"What are you going to do to me?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenyfOyLQQM
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7gwyzedqf
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wBPxvxYFP
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud3Wd42vaL
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspzV1u5cnX
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvRvPgAkRX
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajtGEEwiwF
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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:347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ysXzUqaYN
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The birds.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIabiBTwUqI
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBeqPLrU7U
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEsXEsQZHY
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdhw2l5JqA
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"I beg to differ."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVsbr5InMf
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPdZd92ZUO
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FAwsHsQaM
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDn4PcN517
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNjA9fqZVK
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciFXknxvP4
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE5ewhhr49
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv7cdaC6O7
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc9exj8n5j
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHELYG9phX
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUr0o1lMk7
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnnSs8OnOY
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fedBPMR7U
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzYkg0rGKu
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEn52z7yrs
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I winced. "She can do that?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjL8XZtJhK
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWeQWnog3z
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPQsENfBYu
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiUfDcwGLK
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByZYSrxVIn
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKokqPHdbV6
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7u79zu5xp
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0obpQEMn6J
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTA6bquxDP
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d5T157r3n
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1DvA0dgbK
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iK6mlIDPj
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9COglvvy8
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnrGsLlAWD
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGxm5MrEPB
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqtApFSmvr
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttlHrYcqca
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIXfpIYq10
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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?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17qqeqWluV
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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?347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpmWK11INT
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WpZbUpZD4
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoSQEfyWW6
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSUaBpkowT
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ8iwuQKqe
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBiuboStIV
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgU7H95B4w
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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?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXMwyo3IIK
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEZHtn67fO
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJFd8TOq4q
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz1PaHez4H
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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?347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9PurJLvPy
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoBaqUa2Fb
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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?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUutlmLkSQB
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZZApBKhkg
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrFBJcoZoB
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXSPwTUwOe
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNnVF7keHb
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUguJT77vWj
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphcOK2BJPN
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcTumjBq70
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu4o63x7KK
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHPXFeByeK
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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-?347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqjnvB0EiG
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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?347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtzhLMyN7y
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiCkmvxYfh
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETcyrgkoNA
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aNhMnkkZM
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpCdmOFiqD
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqF0EBhOjF
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfazU2ikmd
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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?347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuoxjzl3HZ
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRMYvObhZa
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRMh7BXq3o
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fJeVq4WZ1
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tmL3VhX5i
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOo0pTj6Yl
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkFegIX7on
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA2h2hagIv
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdPYUrr7T2
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpL2iwLIoL
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7IQFRLgQ4
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwIw7jGfjT
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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?347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo540EHKfk6
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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?347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOqJGGxLjp
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTpUBKLf5x
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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?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qxitHO6rz
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFqKjGLjUI
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgn8ba64wt
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiCNPfjRdo
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt808REsNqq
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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?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpvoTb5hsE
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNbUVYoMay
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9TewrR9ub
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqbzBqizwn
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRzbxl9VvX
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSPk0aJBTi
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNLD5LZw74
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlc6d4upC8
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO8OAXn7Rs
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo38t2irSe
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3cVnHHind
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVonrcQkMi
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcIuj0ZDoa
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhreDZmAc56
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxCUEogoux
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesPyUoUTHF
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cniAAhAAu
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszigVUgdKW
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoCThiuBug
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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?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8BqDRRwoG
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"Did you summon them?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMQDbcWlJA
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi2EdUp7zO
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzw5Acpb1o
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lJq6IHE5p
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e31Mp6Fub
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1NBHj2czr
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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."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6ATzdNHk8
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxiZsey2my
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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?347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPkev12dYz
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCOLgelffi
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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.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuhQ8YNlmn
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It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.8964 copyright protection343ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5oG1dbzDo 維尼

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