The Inner Kingdom

Chapter Four - The Confrontation

Location: Inner Kingdom

◑ Ashley ◐

I felt nothing but fear, as I passed through the liquid wall; it coursed through my entire body making me unable to scream.

I couldn't open my eyes because of the force pressing down on my closed eyelids, due to the fact that I was moving at a very fast pace.

Just when I was beginning to go into a full blown anxiety attack, it suddenly ended as I hit something hard.

The rich smell of grass and dirt wafted up my nose as I laid face down while wondering if I was still alive.

Pushing up slowly off what felt like grass, I pried my eyes open. To my relief, I saw April and Angie struggling to get up not too far away from me.

Viewing my surroundings, I noticed that we were underneath a stunning giant weeping willow tree. The leaves of the tree filtered the light between small openings, creating beautiful patterns all around.

"Where are we?" Angie asked bringing to my attention there was no snow anywhere and it felt more like spring than winter.

"I'm not sure, but I know we are no longer in North Carolina," I replied as I pulled back a few hanging leaves to see what was outside.

"I think it's safe to say that we are no longer on Earth either," Angie said, pointing up at something in the sky.

Following Angie's gaze, I was mesmerized by what I saw. There were two suns blazing in the sky above.

"This is impossible. This can't be real," I murmured shaking my head.

"I know, like something out of the twilight zone."

"Ouch!" I yelled. "Why did you pinch me?"

"I had to make sure I wasn't dreaming."

If I wasn't so shocked by reality, I would have been upset, but my stinging arm from Angie's pinch confirmed that this was all too real.

A little off in the distance, I noticed that behind us was a high wall made of stone, like the ones shown in history textbooks of Ancient Roman fortresses; it was so high that I had to squint to see the top. Following the wall's path with my eyes, I could not believe what I was seeing; not too far behind us was a castle.

Suspiciously, the gravel path at the foot of the tree appeared to lead straight to it; Angie pointed out, after walking around, not straying far from the tree.

I turned to look at Angie as she began to make frustrated noises at her cellphone as she tried to get a signal.

"I'm dreaming again," A hysterical April said through laughing fits.

Angie and I just looked at each other at a loss for words as April continued.

"April, you are not dreaming," I assured her going to where she was standing.

"Whatever is going on, at least you are not alone this time," Angie said, grabbing April's hand.

"So I am not dreaming? This is all, actually happening?" April asked, trying to regain her composure.

"Unfortunately, yes," I replied. "We need to look and see if there is anyone here. If there is a castle, there is bound to be..."

"A benevolent, kind, and gracious king who will take us in and tell us how to get home," Angie interrupted me sarcastically.