"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4Sr68O6mh
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9paUIhOzR
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmOAShwUUt
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtz2qWIRPp
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNDG1Pc8C1
"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..."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NJNkAXmzx
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp4f5q9qmz
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61crbOwurJ
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7po20ceM2
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hycJcNcaG
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"I'm fine," I said.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC4hNYKWuZ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFMPDE6PJy
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsHcmAXrnv
She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYplUNCp4c
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88ezGeHPlr
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dqMNjRW7K
"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ9Rjd8VmH
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgLhZeWL8t
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZD3yXVN4Nu
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTQDyZhhcR
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?582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVIS2SmzYX
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcmfvUvDDa
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8VoYCa3Ss
"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbGNngBoLA
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfRS1b1G79
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlXTlm0FCQ
"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6d3VeJTjG
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpVhMkYUPo
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqixnOaCel
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27aksugtnZ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXbUYB1KBg
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4FoYEgQyq
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPOFEhRCOB
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"It's really nice," I commented.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc6HiExagY
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdFutqwrMv
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPli7mtLo7R
"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszf2tKH2Re
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTz9cgTe25v
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO8sokhsxW
A knock came at the door and Ariana quickly went to open it. The young nurse from last night came in with a tray.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR6fAdOIct
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSo5Umo44D
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UE89WICIW
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vRo15c4ZK
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36M8dBzMWr
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuNKt94fdP
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVExA19iD5K
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqYAOaobkV
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe71kG1qG56
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwMaGrtJeC
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBlqmUm6Ag
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xG0G4E0uH
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FpIgojQDH
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUm6Ut00NZ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrDQ0zenHg
"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeq12zOLqD
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjbQGhCukv
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvFz4qsBnw
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw7HZVmKoJ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGcw6Js6HX
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSko9OVf4e
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?582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nTWkHWQd9
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtWRXT2CZi
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrokU4pRcP4
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aCPawGjNg
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmncYTNi52
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ncPZvDb5U
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky1GlcxoyP
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVDUX4G73m
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20zieAV4CO
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQlocPM7Mp
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"What is it?" I asked.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL6cD9rQRc
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmsf14d5bS
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVGBTJN1Pg
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel140OKLWE
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3Cxk7b1CB
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdzTTAF1jJ
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugCCyNZ4b0
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFVNw9LjsC
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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?582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1STz3y506
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhvBB0zeH0
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf7wRzvnhV
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBleqVYkU81
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32MrGbUy7F
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bNWmJ5Uib
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCsFwHK0TF
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoDeD7mwFj
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlnqdUp6Zz
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJemmiY56q
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz27H9c4Bbz
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKj6Z4z8uU
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh5670S4HS
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SgbyyKbBQ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaIBir8L9E
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdfSSG4k75
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoZCRaWejR
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hF2qDCOso
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjKw8o8Xze
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWuqTR5Oyw
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav9nzfeq62
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A3Yi7pkxv
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI39XNGDNz
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvJw53yl8d
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q1vDtODG6
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvbCp4NHGO
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbmGGf3ADr
"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c6qVn6AZi
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYvKAuq80s
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvY2QkRm2Z
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTA7pgTcZL
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkPsWi2D8S
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46WFgRsfyG
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgBvoU3IZK
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dtheEUNXp
"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3GHQv0snl
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTWSjokqGE
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRNLOzTWAA
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yvgZW4cGJ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyutLfaDrc
I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlCkbCHynl
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3B1Wguyiy
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4QKmxzS2p
"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqX9CsH1Ah
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV9YYgRdO4
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5wby21KHD
"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyk6YCsGVE
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhApM17HOb
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdU4VRapmX
She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKRYr3IUIa
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEhrUH8eJC
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8KBnY4lvz
I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeV5QPRmyt
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAb6HcCBSYW
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfShIQRgEG
"You aren't Ariana, are you?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6uIOYXzR0
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA63OIovEZJ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak0LRyLYfx
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY7YavqlwD
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpWnGURJ1V
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiJQQyM3bG
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMv74VZtKO
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw35XiF4zk
"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMd0LFf1TC
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuis579IlCM
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksXchUnoHT
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoq9k3Cp5nI
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xD57FOC8Z
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpM2dU5Wbrz
"No, I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who you are!" I also insisted, trying my best to stand my ground.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56mxQ0e5Ny
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWkzapCpVR
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ62vHcbnM
"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHdGX3dQUw
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCE0CGuxmK
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrceQ7gjQ8Z
"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbLYsJHBC1
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWOp74uE4N
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mmaY52hJ8
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzuhGkhC1C
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpv25hQRzL7
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9frqK7F3y
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K5Bwgv8OR
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sApeJoZdT
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkZbKGJRC4
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP077oKGPLq
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4BncbRII4
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq0nogjw1l
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgywDJP1hw
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAA26tSNGC
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2zdwv4sLq
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSvFrZFnsN
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2ZdDLtcpF
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGayO1mzg89
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HJpW7uNxx
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS7Q21YY8z
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f3mpnogPI
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lQrTdyTzI
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIvg5JQ73R
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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?582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVV83eMlAj9
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvfNVeyaq6
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSPqUuwND2
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkGosWsqPF
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA3l0PnhrH
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGU3NSJi49
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBaQQwOGUM
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlU5rm83MP
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfo4orLG8B
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5McSRAvnx
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybKh3Xqgcv
"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtxvydOnl7
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfyHACJnK4
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUHPpgf65n
"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP45q0BiGk
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90PGsEFhYP
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcHrC18lFO
"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADxNeDgSSo
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hDMifKZro
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NQN0crCBG
"Ask me something else, then."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg8ToL3Gmh
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0B9Jb2ET3
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplTmVX8LHS
"Who are you?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZfT7pCqcD
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkoJCSMByL
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegUlO69D3Q
The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro35OntZbU
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFir0ky8yZ
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuar8W83ag2
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkRpov5xIH
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAIfil6F08
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh47hWjXRkO
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKs2AnUmJ1
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiDiLpaasl
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitmAnTrCA9
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv8HqQ6jnX
"How do you know my name?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw3Vh1txVY
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyLMFt847M
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNovovaGBFQ
Lord Vandell approached and the smirk on his face scared me a little. He looks like he has no good intentions.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76K3TjAnn2
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QOMMHK6ov
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cUtt9odXp
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ20TBBNxR
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOCqCGR3XT
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZIFKyX6nL
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCn2PJh5zmc
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZRuRwmaVs
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kSJSxDrxr
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEzyaDSnRF
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8Ey3mVoRC
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7cpC1DyBn
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVP3IkDhaD
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7g1Jocs9f
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpq2qFim9d
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBDLOqv51Y
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9hEgbIuU0
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Kz1dgk7cM
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCQi1Tu9Ia
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"What are you going to do to me?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybblBtGuxJ
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5zfJCOnG7
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlFWUBuGDZ
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoGX0kOf4N
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamYPfr57Ax
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2OHeiAmi3
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSz1HaCRxFi
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRJBpC7PkQ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pd59aYgS8
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS44iJdkFea
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSEffWKuz7
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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:582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W5ERWEaHg
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHlmqH6xph
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The birds.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGL6WKzlVH
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLzDq2gcq7
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcMn2Xv1qP
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mERinfcMG
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ57WBN9fAF
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"I beg to differ."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv1x5iTykB
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582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqLqMjNyfE
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZA7qVxmMN
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJiuHwp9zo
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIjb9gfmBx
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTLMOr5xHM
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg8cCsdI1X
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7Oh8a6bx9
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zzCfAkv9V
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROtv8gT1kx
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2bqFFaaE9
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fQEUWyPgU
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4hdu5vtRv
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc96PmLQY3x
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIIGIqr1EK
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1z85w4V5nE
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToek8qQFNG
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhTwNSuhL0
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LBEC6Xpqi
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeWM5rMOuF
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JRJfuBrFL
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1CBDs14Fa
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgnbuGLdZM
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I winced. "She can do that?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjh6MhhjbP
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDX9mkaL7b
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsU1ZMGMUv
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTONk7gZfN
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpv2XgIjLR
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyyqpXkPQi
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8OUbKYVqX
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehm9aMkrzX
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfxEpO0x4U
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbOObEaZoi
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgObT9hKBY
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiBKUuyrM3
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqrBuFiTfC
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WDlLNR7c2
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwQA0LIQbx
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cKU3hWsYv
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpC4BdqYRC
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjwckwtnIQ
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyelrkxIN2
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd55qTMPdm
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1Okgtln6E
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCxt3KKDHY
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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?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN1YlXYTgH
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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?582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGls1uaOslR
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7veePg8KCM
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixeMb4B2Tf
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7zcQNrgye
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDffOVJ6X1Y
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrpzKWAmox
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGmhXatxRt
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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?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQksAvsCaAg
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIumrjYsu6h
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AvWq5Pzqh
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxtINUF0Yh
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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?582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6T9YghXdi
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLE0URhHjc
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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?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSP95NL3xJ
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0Bpw6yt2E
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsBGQhGsVI
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fJUtlEl9q
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6C9otsrHi
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjsLwSWMrV
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2n94iRlsD
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr7i1pJwcO
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeieQ1ITcsM
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6R1rCxrmi
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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-?582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpNudIbZMR
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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?582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5NcsputmJ
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquL2zwVIvF
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJctn6w4CSO
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmcrB8H0Be
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpQKKPxNOL
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA91p8Pm3K
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dUEQAsofq
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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?582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpPo3UyM49
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2YaPMzk9X
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBArBYyHEjf
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTT4bDYKwU
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMmRWA5pMT
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6Zh7WZEmj
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnVkns7Z2Z
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcozodCeeEw
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wE2jLdqpZ
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbby9gugZAQ
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jiuYpHbiL
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovrA5lhMX7
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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?582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXegdXFY15
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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?582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH15lz9gz8m
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhF0hAeX3t
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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?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0DhVp30x3
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIv8rMJqpB
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef9O5KwNiR
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ356guodwiS
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxnK0OdPsr
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILCsBt0YJn
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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?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8hVm77l4T
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKhgcbIG2M
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4As6Sl5ONk
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3hplhkCOH
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3khUmh5mo
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDwhrk8G6L
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHzPaacPjl
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXxRB0Xmrv
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAMxjWZMPK
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjzzVZF6TA
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL7ocEPlXU
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0nWBjYQBk
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoXONHgGv0
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18PR8BG7Et
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuem5nw949S
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rfv2cY8ED
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu9GVfCLu6
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLygl93FC1
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMejVeZFhil
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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?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgJnSIx1vF
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"Did you summon them?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZkwqXWHSU
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoeKK0TMFm
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo0apN0SOw
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxjgMDlvgb
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg66XKvfCz
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BIFkX1QRM
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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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA663YCvvGc
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihTcjWy7fn
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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?582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGv5B9xwHF
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykPUkZZXJw
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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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxP0U484ga
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It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.1234 copyright protection578ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wH4trHzmE 尼

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