I finally felt myself coming around. But before I could open my eyes, I felt my head start to spin. And then I felt all kinds of body pain. It felt unbearable and I just wanted it to stop. I slowly opened my eyes. There seems to be a white cloth above me, almost like a curtain. Had I died and went up to heaven? Where am I? And why is this place so white?
I turned my head to the side and a bright light hit my eyes in an instant. It's the window. I put my hand over my eyes to shield out the light. It's then that I heard birds chirping outside. Am I still on the Butterfly Island? Only one way to find out.
I slowly tried to sit up feeling every muscle in my body ache. I winced as I leaned back on my elbows. My head pounded like I had just pushed myself too hard when I've barely even sat up. I pushed myself up a little more and found myself in a sitting position. Now came the issue of getting my feet out of bed.
I stopped myself as I fully took in the room. I lay on a very comfortable bed with white sheets, blankets and pillows. The bed was actually a canopy bed with beautiful white bed curtains around. I also couldn't help but notice the wonderful silver embroidery on the white blankets.
I looked around the room and noticed a wooden cupboard at the corner. It looked like an antique. I've never seen anything like it. There is a small wooden table right next to my bed and on top of it, a metal jug and a glass of water beside it. There was also a small metal basin filled with water. I tilted a little to the corner of the bed to see the grey stoned floor. My body ached even more when I did that. The whole room made me feel like I had gone back to the medieval times.
I decided it's time to get out of bed and explore the place. I'm still on the Butterfly Island. I wonder where exactly.
Moving my feet felt like a burden and I winced everytime I moved just to get them out of the bed and onto the floor. I had to be slow, but when I finally managed to get them on the hard, cold floor, I sighed in relief.
I held the wooden pole of the canopy bed for support to stand up. When I did, I felt the ache in my legs and feet, and also my back. But that didn't stop me from slowly walking over to the window.
Looking out the open window were two blue birds, chirping on the windowsill. When they saw me, they didn't fly away like most birds do. They looked up at me, as though acknowledging my presence. I couldn't help but smile at them. When I looked to see outside the window, I couldn't help but gasp.
The bright blue ocean filled my vision. I looked over the horizon where the deep blue sea touched the light blue sky. The salty air filled my nose and there's something about it that sent my heart escalating. I've never been so close to such a huge mass of water.
I got closer to the window. The birds still remained on the windowsill. I looked below. There were beautiful green lawns and trees outside. I'm several storeys up a huge grey stoned building. It felt more like a castle. There was a tall grey bricked wall surrounding the place. The wall went round, and I had a feeling this place is a whole lot bigger than I can imagine. That gave me the courage to go out sightseeing.
I looked at the two birds. They were chirping at me like they were talking to me. They did it with so much glee. I guess they were just happy to see me awake.
"Okay," I told them, "I'm going sightseeing. Do I look appropriate to go out?"
I looked at myself. I hadn't noticed that I'm in a long white sleeping gown. No. I needed to wear something else.
I walked over to the wooden wardrobe. Before I could open it, I placed my hand on the surface of the closed doors. The dark hardwood felt so smooth, almost like marble. I noticed carvings of butterflies on the round door knobs and also atop. I didn't dwell on admiring the wardrobe as I took hold of the door knobs and drew it open.
The wardrobe looked empty except for a red robe hanging on a wooden rod inside. I took it and wore it. I looked around for anything else. At the foot of the wardrobe were white fluffy looking sleep slippers.
I took them, dropped them on the floor beside my feet and put them on. I had to do all of that slowly because bending to get them in the first place made my back ache. Now I know how painful it is for old people who have to bend over with an already aching back.
I'm all ready to get out of the room. I head for the door when I hear fluttering and chirping above my head. I looked and saw the two birds hovering around me. Looks like they will be the ones guiding me around. I smiled at the thought and opened the door. The birds flew out of the room and I slowly followed them out into the corridor.
The corridor is just as grey as the castle and it would've been dark if it weren't for the open windows. I walked over to one directly in front of me as I stepped out of the room. I saw the other side of the open grounds. There weren't people walking around. Strange.
The birds came back for me and one of them landed on my shoulder, the other flying in circles above me. They were obviously trying to remind me to follow them and not wander off. I followed the other bird that flew down the hall while the other still sat on my shoulder. I felt like I was being watched so that I wouldn't wander off on my own.
We soon came to a flight of stairs and it looked to go down in a spiral. I gasped in surprised. Did I really have to go all the way down? Why did these people put me in such a high place to begin with? Don't they know I'm injured?
The bird that flew around hovered near my face and chirped. I bet its telling me to come along or stay here and miss out? I furrowed my eyebrows at it.
"Of course, I'm coming," I told it as I took a step down the stairs, but carefully. I held the wall for support while the bird on my shoulder cheerfully chirped, obviously encouraging me.
Going down the stairs didn't prove to be a problem as I soon neared the bottom. The place still felt quiet.
As soon as I reached the bottom of the stairs, there stood wooden doors to my right. They reminded me of the huge doors at the Butterfly Temple. To my left was a long, dark hall that obviously lead to other parts of the building, or should I say castle. With the high grey walls and the arched ceiling above, it did feel like one.
The bird guiding me flew towards the doors and I had no choice but to follow. It's surprising how I haven't met anyone. I bet I'll once I'm outside.
I approached the doors. One of them stood ajar enough for anyone to pass through. The bird leading the way, quickly flew out and the one on my shoulder also followed.
"Hey, wait for me," I called out to them. Being injured can be stressing.
As soon as I passed through the door, I paused as I took in the environment around me. There were beautiful green lawns separated by stone paths. A few lawns had beautiful pink and white cherry blossom trees. And some had white marble statues centred in the middle. A slight breeze blew by making the blossom leaves on the ground fly around. I felt like I had just entered a fantasy world. This place never seems to amaze me.
I continued to take the place in when the two birds came, flying in circles above my head. Looks like they don't want to leave me behind.
There was a short flight of stone steps that I had to descend. I did so slowly while the birds flew around me patiently, knowing that I shouldn't be rushed. When I finally reached the stone path below, I couldn't help but feel excited like a little girl on a school field trip.
I walked down the path and the birds lead the way, flying round and about. At some point it seemed like they were playing around with each other and I couldn't help but chuckle, finding it amusing.
We came across a crossroad, with paths to the left, right and straight down the middle. The birds took to the left and I happily followed. The straight path lead to the front gate made of what looked like steel from afar. And there were people there. Two on the ground and a few others atop the wall that made up the gate. They were obviously soldiers guarding the place.
As I continued on the path, the scenery started to change. There stood a long line of cherry blossom trees on either side of the path. With the sun shining brightly and the beautiful trees with their white and pink flowers, the place's true beauty was wonderfully brought out. Even the two birds in front of me couldn't help but chirp happily as they flew. There's something about this place that makes you all warm inside that the birds seem to feel it too.
At the end of the long line of cherry blossoms, is a brown, muddy shed with a roof made of straw. It reminded me of the muddy huts in some remote areas in Zambia.
The birds flew towards the shed and I wondered if there's anyone around. The place still felt quiet and that felt strange.
Just as I approached the tool shed, the slightly, crooked wooden door flew open that I almost jumped in fright. The place had been so quiet and the door just suddenly bursts open. I held my breath for a moment when somebody stepped out.
"Goodness," muttered the young lady in a long brown dress with a white apron on and a woven basket in her hand. She had a white bandanna covering her thick, curly black hair. "Why do I've to be the one picking apples? This is so unfair." She turned to look at the door behind her. "And this door is as stubborn as ever."
"Hello, there," I said, as she didn't notice me when she stepped out.
"Ahhh!" she shrieked as she leaned her back onto the door. She dropped the basket as her hand flew to her chest. I really scared her. Her brown eyes looked like they had seen a ghost and she kept taking in deep breaths.
"Whoa, calm down," I said as I held out my hands, showing that I didn't mean any harm. "I didn't mean to scare you, I'm so sorry."
"You..., who are you?" the coloured skinned girl asked. She slowly calmed down as she dropped her hand from her chest.
"My name is Diana," I told her. "I really didn't mean to scare you."
"Diana," the girl said, taking in the name. I noticed her eyes enlarge. "Oh..., you're the girl who was brought in injured."
I nodded my head, accepting the bitter truth. "Yes, that's me."
"Should you be moving around? Your injuries were pretty bad. Well, that's what I had been told."
"I still feel pain all over, but I just woke up and decided to come out to look around."
"That's okay, but you really shouldn't be moving around until they examine you."
"I feel fine." I felt my left knee painfully ache. "Well, a little."
The two birds that had been leading me all this way, came flying above me before landing on my shoulders.
"I see you came with a little company," she said as she looked at the two birds.
"Oh, they've actually been leading me around," I answered. "This place is really nice. I've never been in such a place before."
"This place is special, alright," she bent over to pick up the basket. "Consider yourself fortunate to be here."
"Trust me, I am. Oh, I never got your name, if you don't mind me asking."
"It's Raisa. It's nice to meet you, Diana."
"My pleasure."
"If I'm to guess right, these birds were probably leading you towards the orchard. I've to pick apples there and deliver them to the cooks in the kitchen. I can take you there if you like."
"That would be great. I'm glad I've someone around. Since I woke up, I haven't met anyone. Do you know why?"
"Mmm..., there's some kind of meeting, so I hear. Come on, I better go get those apples and you've to go back and rest."
"I don't want to waste my time resting. I would rather walk around to gain my strength."
I followed Raisa heading to the west. The birds went back to flying. Raisa was kind enough to walk alongside me despite my slow pace. After a long line of forest trees we came across an orchard with neatly arranged lines of apple trees.
"Wow," I said. "Do you only have apples here?"
"The orchard is really big. We've other fruit trees further out back. But let's not go too far. You're not fit enough, remember?"
Raisa headed for the apple trees and I sighed. "I really hate being like this."
"Oh?" Raisa asked as she reached an apple tree and dropped the basket to the ground. "What would you rather be like?"
"Back to my normal self." I stood behind her as she stretched out her hand to pick a red juicy apple from the tree. "Moving around wouldn't be so painful."
"Then you should've stayed in bed."
"Not my cup of tea." I moved away from the tree and took a few steps forward, looking around. "How long have I been out?"
"Sorry?" Raisa asked as she dropped an apple and bent over to pick it and put it in the basket.
I turned to look at her. "From the time I was brought in, how long have I been unconscious?"
Raisa looked up at me as she picked up the basket. "I think you've been out for two days."
"Two days?" I couldn't believe it.
"You should've stayed in bed longer if you ask me. I'm surprised you're even awake."
She passed me to head to another tree. I thought for a minute. Time moves differently here, so I had been told. I guess only a few hours have passed back home.
I slowly followed Raisa and I noticed the two birds chirping at each other as they flew around, one of them chasing the other.
"Are these birds usually like this?" I asked as I continued to look at them play.
"Yep," she said with a smile on her face as she also watched the birds. "This place is peaceful that it's not the birds that are always cheerful. Many animals live around here too."
"That's nice." A thought soon crossed my mind when she mentioned the word animals. I remembered Mei's wolf.
"So, how did you end up here?" Raisa asked as she plucked an apple from the tree. "You don't seem to be like the others."
"Others?" I raised an eyebrow as I turned to look at her. "What do you mean?"
Raisa turned to look at me with a frightened look on her face, like she shouldn't have said that. She went on to look at the apples still in the tree.
"Never mind," she said quickly.
"No, I really want to know. I'm not familiar with what goes on around here, so it wouldn't hurt to know."
"Well, I thought you were a recruit when they first brought you in," said Raisa as she turned the apple around in her hand. "But it's strange that they didn't take you to the infirmary like most recruits. And you weren't dressed like one either."
"There are recruits here?" I heard something flutter near my ears. One of the birds landed on my left shoulder.
"Yes. This place is like a school. People are brought here from all walks of life."
"When you say all walks of life, do you also mean where I'm from?"
"Yes. People from this world and yours."
"Oh, really? How do they pick recruits?"
"That I can't tell you."
I shrugged my shoulders. That information's probably confidential. I looked up at the apple trees.
"You say this place is some kind of school," I said, "what do they actually teach here?"
"Many things. Mostly magic and combat."
"Ah." I wonder if Ryan, Stella and the others were meant to bring me here. They were personally meant to teach me if I remember correctly.
"Hey, Diana, are you okay?" Raisa asked as I saw her carrying the basket. It was almost full. "You seem to be in your own thoughts."
"Sorry, just remembering something," I said as I followed her.
"Do you remember how you got injured?" Raisa approached another random tree and laid the basket on the ground.
"If you're wondering if I lost my memories, don't worry, I can still remember. Even the time when I got injured."
"What happened? When I asked the nurses who are taking care of you, they just ignored me and never said a thing. It must have been serious."
I raised an eyebrow as I stopped a few feet from her, facing her back. "Yes, it was." I felt the bird on my shoulder take flight to join its companion.
"I heard rumours about how you found yourself here. It seems people have been talking about you a lot."
I looked at her. People know about me already? I never thought I could be so popular in just two days. I wonder what they've been saying about me.
"So what have been people saying about me?" I asked, pretending not to seem interested.
"Well...," Raisa had her back to me as she picked the apples from the tree, making sure to check them before putting them in the basket. "...I heard rumours that you happened to come across one of the portal gates that had been left open in the mountains and stumbled on your way down. They say people found you there unconscious."
I'm not impressed with that rumour and I think I made a face there. Is that what they can really come up with?
"Some people say that you had been attacked in your world by shadow monsters," Raisa continued. "You would've died if one of the those in the High Order hadn't come to save you and brought you here."
I wanted to ask what she meant by shadow monsters and the High Order, but I wanted to hear more of these rumours.
"There's another one which doesn't really make sense," said Raisa as she threw an apple into the basket.
"Really?"
"A few say you were found lying unconscious in the mystic maze," Raisa turned to look at me when she said so.
I almost swallowed, but I didn't want to look nervous. I quickly asked, "why do you think it doesn't make sense?"
"Well...," she went back to picking apples, "there's no portal near the maze. That place is really dangerous that no one ever goes there. It's a mysterious and dangerous place. Only recruits go there when put to the test. And most of them don't make it till the end."
"That's pretty scary," I said as I hid my hands behind my back. I can't tell her that I had been taken to the maze because Mei wanted to test me. And all this means that no one has any idea that I had been brought here by Ryan and the others. A thought crossed my mind that I just had to ask:
"Do people happen to stumble upon this place by accident?"
"Oh, a lot," said Raisa as she plucked another apple from the tree. "But that rarely happens nowadays. We need to keep this place secure. That means the gates have to be sealed at all times."
"There are many of these gates around?"
"Yes. But they are well hidden. A lot of us tend to use one."
The one in the flower garden, I thought. I turned to look at Raisa. "I bet you don't believe these rumours," I said.
"I don't. But there's one that I actually agree with." Raisa looked up at the sky as though the answer lay right there.
I looked at her first before slowly turning to the sky. There were white fluffy clouds covering some parts of the wide blue canvas. It's really a nice day to be outside.
"I believe you were brought here for a purpose," said Raisa, "by Her Higness."
"Her Highness?" I looked at her.
"Yes," she said as she turned to look at me with a smile on her face. The smile made her look like she had been enchanted. As warm and nice as it is, it felt a little creepy. "She's the one who rules over this island. She's so magnificent. You should meet her some day."
"I hope I do," I said as I smiled back at her. She's probably talking about the woman in white whom I had met at the Butterfly Temple. I had heard Stella and the others address her by the same title.
"We better get going now," Raisa said as she looked at her basket. It's now full. "I better deliver these to the kitchen. You've to go back and rest."
She picked up the basket from the ground and started on her way back. As soon as she passed me, I looked around and realised that the two blue birds weren't flying around. Something didn't feel right all of a sudden.
"Raisa, wait," I called out as I turned around to stop her.
A slight breeze blew by and I felt the air change suddenly. People in colourful cloaks and hoodies appeared around Raisa and I in a circle. Raisa shrieked and the basket fell to ground. Almost all the apples fell out. I couldn't blame her. With the way these people had appeared, they can give anyone a heart attack. Who are they anyway?
I counted six people and they surprisingly had long spears pointed at us. Three wore purple cloaks and the remaining wore blue. The colour of their spears matched the colour of their cloaks. I couldn't help but notice that the cloaks reminded me of the ones Stella and the others wore which were much longer, richer and finer in texture and color than the ones these people surrounding us were wearing.
I came to stand next to Raisa and I could feel her shivering with fear. Whoever these people were, they are not to be messed with.
One of them in purple, came towards us. My eyes never left the person, expecting the worst.
The person stopped a few feet from Raisa and me. With the spear in one hand, the other hand withdrew the hood over the person's head. My eyes almost fell out of their sockets as I saw a blonde haired young man with bright blue eyes. He has a stunning resemblance to Ryan. I felt like I'm actually looking at his younger brother. He also looked to be a few years older than me.
"Raisa, what are you doing here with her?" the supposedly young brother to Ryan asked.
"I-I-," Raisa seemed to be hesitant. I looked at her and saw her looking at the ground with her hands cupped together in front of her dress. I noticed her cheeks blush. What the-! I thought she was scared, yet it turns out she's actually blushing. What's going on here?
"Raisa, I asked you a question," he said, demanding an answer.
I raised an eyebrow at Raisa and then went on to look at Ryan's young look-alike. He's handsome, alright, just like Ryan. I bet Raisa knew it was him immediately he appeared and didn't know what to do. It's always this way with a crush. I don't think I can stand here and wait for Raisa to answer with my body starting to ache again. I'm going to have to be the one to do all the talking.
"Actually...," I said as I waved to turn his attention to me, "I found her at the tool shed and we came here together."
"I didn't ask you to talk, did I?" he asked.
I gave him a glare. He's attitude is just like Ryan's too. Boy, I could give both of them a punch right now.
"Well, as you can see, Raisa is in no position to answer," I said. "I'm just being a good advocate here."
"As far as I'm aware, she's not mute. She can speak for herself."
I rolled my eyes. "We're going to stay here for hours if you're going to ask her your questions. Do you want to ask questions to someone who isn't even going to answer?"
I heard a little shuffling behind me as I heard one of them, a female say, "she has a point."
I tilted my head at Ryan's look-alike. He gave me an intense glare and he knew he had no choice. He sighed.
"Why are you out here?" he asked, still looking at me.
"Because I woke up and decided to come out for a bit of fresh air. This place is lovely by the way, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to look around."
"You woke up?" he sounded surprised, yet he didn't look like it. "And you came down the stairs all by yourself?"
I nodded. "You people shouldn't have put me all the way up there. I'm injured and coming down those stairs was difficult."
"As far as I know, you shouldn't have woken up so soon. You were supposed to be out for at least a week."
"Sorry to disappoint, but my conscious doesn't like to stay down for too long."
I heard snickering from the people around us and I saw Raisa cover her mouth to hide her smile. Her cheeks were still red, though. Ryan's look-alike did not look impressed.
"You aren't supposed to be out here. We've come to take you back to the castle," he said.
"Why not? I woke up, didn't I?"
"He does have a point, Diana," Raisa said to me. "You're still injured and you aren't supposed to move about a lot."
"Now you speak." I raised my eyebrow at her. I made sure to show on my face that I'm not happy with her.
"We've come to take you back," said Ryan's look-alike. "Let's get moving."
"If you really are taking me back to the castle, why does it look like I need a police escort?" I motioned to those holding spears. "I'm not a criminal, am I?"
He looked at me with that same intense look. It's strange how these people are acting. I wonder where Stella, Ryan or the others are. Aren't they the ones who are supposed to be here to get me and not these people?
"You aren't a criminal," said the young man in front of me. "But we got worried when you weren't in your room. This place could be dangerous sometimes and you're new here."
I looked around the orchard. "What's so dangerous about this place? It seems peaceful to me. Or do you think I'm a danger?"
"You ask a lot of questions. Can we just head back to the castle now? The nurses need to check up on you."
I shrugged. I didn't have the time or energy to argue. "I guess so. But can you tell your friends to stop pointing their spears at me? I'm not a giant fish ready to be poked at."
Ryan's look-alike looked at the company he came with. And with a nod of his head, they withdrew their spears, making the pointy ends face upwards. That felt better, but I still felt uncomfortable.
"Let's get going, then," said Ryan's look-alike as he turned around to lead the way. He turned his head to look at Raisa. "Don't mention about your meeting with her to anyone. Understood?"
Raisa nervously nodded, facing downwards. Now I'm curious. What's really going on here? He addressed Raisa with so much emphasis. What is it about me that no one's supposed to know that I actually came out here?
"Let's move out," he instructed the others and started to move forward. I turned to look at Raisa.
"I'll see you later," I told her.
She looked at me with a smile and nodded. She went on one knee to start picking up the apples that fell back into the basket. I wish I could help her, but I had to go back to the castle with these guys who felt like my prison guards.
I followed Ryan's look-alike out of the orchard with the others forming two orderly lines behind me. One of them in purple stood furthest out back. This formation felt weird. I tried not to let it get to me as I focused on the young man in front of me.
We soon passed the tool shed and reached the line of cherry blossom trees, walking in silence. As I continued to stare at the back of Ryan's look-alike, I wanted to open my mouth to ask a question, but I bit my lip. Maybe I shouldn't. I shook my head, looked up at the trees and let out a sigh. A loud one.
The person in front of me slightly turned his head, but then didn't say anything as we continued walking. I furrowed my eyebrows. I rolled my eyes and sighed even louder.
"What is it?" he finally asked. I smirked.
"Huh? Are you talking to me?" I asked.
He stopped in his tracks and I stopped too. The others behind me did the same. He slowly turned to look at me.
"Who else am I talking to?" he asked.
"I don't know, maybe the guy in the blue cloak behind me?" I pointed my thumb to the guy in blue.
"I'm pretty sure you were the one sighing."
"Oh, that. Don't mind me. I'm just wondering what will happen to me when I go back. Will I be able to move around like I did today?"
"That's if you're well enough to do so."
"But I managed to get this far. I'm much better now."
He scoffed. "No, you're not. Let's continue on our way."
"Wait," I said before he turned around. He gave me the same expression Ryan gave me back at school when he came to get me for training.
"What?"
"Ummm..., I had this important question to ask. Ah! I need to see Stella and the others. Where are they?"
Ryan's look-alike remained stoice while I could hear murmuring behind me.
"You will meet them soon. They were pretty worried when they came to check up on you."
"Why send you to get me when they could've done so themselves?"
He didn't want to answer and I can tell that I must have touched a sensitive subject. I really have to know what the big deal is here.
"Why aren't you saying anything? What are you hiding?"
"Nothing." He looked past me, towards the troops. "We can do it here."
"I agree," came a voice of a male behind me. What are they talking about?
"What's going on? What are you about to do?" I asked as I heard footsteps approch me from behind.
"Just trying to get you to your room quicker than expected," Ryan's look-alike answered.
"We were just walking there, weren't we? Are you really taking me to my room?"
"There's nothing to worry about, Diana," came a voice of the dark-skinned girl I had heard speak earlier back in the orchard. She stood right behind me and I felt her put her hand on my shoulder. "This will only take a moment."
I brushed her hand away from my shoulder and turned around to look at her. A scuffle of movement came about with Ryan's look-alike holding out his hand to stop me and spears were drawn out pointing at me. The girl in the blue robe held up her hands in surrender as if I was holding up a gun.
"Whoa," she said. "Chill, Diana."
I raised my eyebrow as I looked around. With the spears pointing at me, I started to think. I turned to look at Ryan's look-alike.
"Tell me something," I said to him, "what have these guys told you about me?"
"Who do you mean?" he asked as he dropped his hand.
"You know who I mean. What have they told you about me? Why am I being treated like a criminal?"
"You're not a criminal."
I gritted my teeth. I can keep asking the same question and will still receive the same answer. If nobody's going to tell me, I felt like getting the answer the hard way.
"Excuse me," I said as I quickly walked past Ryan and the girl.
"Diana, wait up," the girl called out.
As I walked down the path I could hear footsteps behind me and I soon heard a very familiar sound above me.
The two blue birds are back and they flew above my head. I stopped in my tracks and held out my hand. One of them stood in the open palm of my hand while the other landed on my shoulder. The bird on my hand chirped at me, and it wasn't a cheerful one. Those behind me came close. I turned around to look at them.
"I see you've become friends with these little creatures," said Ryan's look-alike as he came closer.
"They were the ones leading me around before I met Raisa. I now see why they don't like you. They left before you arrived in the orchard," I told him. "And they just told me something else."
"You can understand them?" one of the girls in a purple robe asked.
I thought the question over. "I think I do. Well, it feels that way."
Ryan's look-alike and the girl who had held my shoulder gave each other a look. I heard the others mutter to themselves. I wish I could hear what they were saying. They obviously think I'm weird.
Ryan's look-alike looked at me, trying his best to keep a straight face, but I could see right through. "What did they say?" he asked.
"Something like I shouldn't be angry with you or something," I answered as I looked at the bird on my hand which looked back at me in return. The bird on my shoulder chirped at me. I raised my eyebrow.
"What did it say now?" the girl next to Ryan's look-alike asked.
"That you're only following orders and you can't give me a straight answer..., I guess?" I raised my eyebrow, confused as I turned to look at the bird on my shoulder. "Is that right?"
The bird on my shoulder happily chirped. Looks like I did get it right. The others looked at me with awe.
"Wow, she can really understand them," I heard one of them say.
"Is it normal?" I asked.
"Normal for what?" Ryan's look-alike asked.
"To understand the birds. I'm guessing that some people do around here, right?"
I didn't get my answer as the troops continued to give each other looks. Now they're scaring me. I can't be the only one, right?
"Well...," said the girl beside Ryan's look-alike, "there are some. We just never thought you can understand them too, and so easily. If you want to learn to understand them, it takes years of practice."
"Oh." At least one of my questions have been answered.
"We've wasted enough time here," said Ryan's look-alike as he looked behind me and then then behind him. "Teleport her out of here, now."
"Tele-what?" I asked, giving him a surprised look. The bird on my shoulder chirped. "Teleport? But why? Why do I need to teleport?"
"Will you ever stop asking questions?" Ryan's look-alike asked, annoyed. He turned towards the others. "The rest of you, disperse."
As soon as he gave the order, the others disappeared almost in the same manner they had appeared back in the orchard, except for him and the dark-skinned girl in the blue cloak. What's going on? Weren't we walking back to the castle? Why do I need to teleport now?
The girl in the blue cloak held my shoulder like she did before. The two birds took to the sky and they chirped, telling me they would see me soon. It still felt weird that I could actually understand them. As they flew away, I suddenly felt lost without them.
"Now, Diana," said the girl in front of me, "what you're about to feel will seem a bit weird, but you'll be okay."
"What's going on?" I asked. "Why do I need to teleport?"
"We don't have much time," said Ryan's look-alike after looking around. He turned to look at the girl in the blue robe. "Do it, Siphiwe."
My eyes widened. She's Siphiwe? Is it possible that she's from Zambia too?
"We'll meet again, Diana." She gave me a bright smile and I felt a strange feeling take over me. What's going on?
"I hope not," Ryan's look-alike said as he looked at me. I was expecting to see an annoyed expression on his face, but he looked pretty calm.
The environment started to look hazy and the next thing I knew, there were no trees, no Ryan's look-alike nor Siphiwe. There were only a funny mixture of bright colours swirling all around me. It made me feel a little dizzy yet at the same time, it looked mesmerising. The next thing I knew, the swirling colours soon disappeared and I found myself standing in front of an open window overlooking the ocean. This felt familiar. Am I back in my room?
"Well, that took longer than I expected," came Ryan's voice behind me.
I quickly turned around and found Ryan, standing by the bed, leaning against one of the bedpoles with his arms folded. Stella sat at the foot of the bed, looking quite relieved to see me. Ariana stood near the wooden butterfly closet and she looked just as happy as Stella.
"Thank goodness you're okay, Diana," said Ariana as she came closer to hug me. I winced in pain and she quickly broke away from me. "I'm so sorry. I forgot you're still recovering."
"I'm fine, really," I said as I smiled at her.
"You shouldn't go wandering off like that," said Ryan. "Who knows what would've happened to you out there."
I gave him an intense look. "You of all people shouldn't even be worried about me," I said.
"Don't say that, Diana," said Stella. "We really were worried about you."
"But this place doesn't look the least bit dangerous. Not like the maze you people put me in."
The three looked at each other and I could tell from their faces that they were ashamed. Well, I just had to say it. I'm still not happy about what happened. Now I realise that I'm still angry.
"We're sorry for what happened, Diana," said Ariana. "You've every right to be mad at us."
"The person who should be apologising isn't even here," I said as I looked at the three.
"We know," said Ryan as he stopped leaning on the pole. "But Mei feels just as horrible for what she did."
I rolled my eyes as I scoffed. "With that sadist face of hers, she won't look the least bit sorry."
"She does, actually," said Ariana. "She may not show it, but she's a sensitive person."
"I'll believe you when she comes here to apologise." I felt my body ache a little and I walked over to my bed to sit down. Stella moved a little to create space and I sat right next to her. I winced. Even my butt hurt like hell.
"You really shouldn't be moving around," said Stella. "You haven't fully recovered."
"I'm surprised how you're even awake," said Ryan. "You were out cold and the doctor said you might be out for a week."
"Sorry to disappoint, but I'll tell you the same thing I told your look-alike in the orchard," I said looking up at Ryan standing beside Stella, "my conscious doesn't like to stay down for too long." I gave him a mocking smile.
"My look-alike?" Ryan looked surprised.
"I think she means Raymond," said Ariana.
"You sent Raymond after her?" Ryan asked, looking at Stella.
"He wasn't the only one," Stella said calmly, looking up at Ryan. "I had to send in some of my troops too."
"May I also mention that he also has your attitude, Ryan," I said, still giving him that smile. "I hope it doesn't run in the family."
"Are you trying to mock me because of what I did to you in the maze?"
"I'm not. If I were, I would be screaming in your face right now for being such a bad guide and leaving me to fight a wolf on my own."
Ariana giggled a little. "She's right."
Ryan shook his head. "Raymond and I aren't really related. It just so happens that he's a distant cousin of mine."
"Oh, I see," I said. "Looks like that attitude spreads far and wide."
Stella and Ariana laughed. Ryan gave me an angry glare.
"I wonder why I even care," I heard him mutter.
"May I ask, Stella," I said as I turned to look at her, "why did the troops you sent have spears pointed at me? It's like they were treating me like a criminal."
Ryan and Ariana looked at Stella, who looked stunned at my question. Stella had her mouth open but no words came out.
"I don't want to think that everyone here isn't familiar with me and that I pose a threat," I said, as I looked at my hands on my laps, "so there has to be a good explanation for their actions."
"It's my fault," said Stella, looking away. "I should've warned them to be more careful. They are trained not to take things lightly."
I wanted to raise an eyebrow, but I didn't want to look like am still suspicious of what's going on, so I smiled. "I guess it's nothing but a misunderstanding. So why do you want me back here?"
"For you to rest," said Ryan, sounding very stern. "The doctor will be here soon to check on you."
"Then when will I ever go back home?"
"Don't worry," said Ariana. "Time moves differently there. After a day or two, the doctor might declare you fit and ready to go back."
"Don't encourage her," Ryan warned.
"Why?" I asked. "It's not like I know how to get back." Ryan scorned.
"You just stay here and rest," said Stella. "And try not to leave this room."
"But I want to go out more," I said. "The place here is very beautiful. And if I walk a lot, I know I'll get better."
"You'll only get worse," said Ryan. "Just stay in your room, Diana. I know it's hard, but you've to understand that this place isn't as serene as you think."
I wonder what he means by that. His look-alike - I mean, Raymond - said the same thing. What is it about this place that seems dangerous?
"We better get going," said Stella as she stood up from the bed. "You get some rest. The doctor will come check on you any moment now."
"Actually, we want to see you enter your covers right now." Ryan demanded.
"I'm not your soldier, Ryan," I said to him. "I'll go to bed when I feel like it."
Ariana giggled. "You two really like to have a go at each other, huh?" She walked up to me and placed her hand on my shoulder. "You rest well, Diana. If you want I'll bring you some butterfly cookies. You'll love them."
"Thanks, Ariana," I smiled at her.
Ryan scoffed. "I wouldn't spoil her so much if I were you."
"Mean as ever," I said, sticking my tongue out at him.
Stella smiled at me and she turned around to head out of the room. Ryan and Ariana followed her out as soon as she opened the door and walked out. Ryan closed the door behind him and I thought I heard him talking to someone in the hall. I heard a pair of voices answer to him. I've never heard those voices before. Did they put guards at my door?
I sighed. Looks like I'm not getting out of here that easily. I looked out of the window and smiled. I did have a good day, though. But after exploring the place I've a number of questions. Some of which might be answered with a little bit of investigating.
I climbed up on my bed and crawled to where the pillows were. Someone had made the bed. It must have been either Ariana or Stella. Ryan would never be kind enough to do so.
I climbed into the covers and when I put my head onto the pillow, I realised just how my body needed to rest. The others were right after all. I found myself yawning and my heavy eyes slowly started to close. I'm already feeling drowsy.
The last thing I heard before falling into deep sleep, was the sound of the door opening and people talking:
"Looks like she's quickly falling asleep."
"Let her be. That's all she needs right now."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZDXj6luQK
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