Beyond

Seraina: New Casltle

The minute I reached the other side of the portal, I was hit with a hammer of drowsiness.

    That was when I realized I couldn't remember when the last time I'd slept was, because time seemed to stay still, yet pass all at once.

    I stood in the doorway of a bedroom that was similar to the one I had back in the old castle, small and comfortable, like my own little corner of the world.

    Before I knew it, I was embracing the familiar feel of sheets and blankets, and the wonderful softness of a pillow against my head.  I closed my eyes, and everything faded away, like when the fog comes up from the Valley and covers everything, like a thick layer of snow.

    "HEY!"  Someone shouted, making me feel like there was an earthquake in my ear.  I opened my eyes, blinking slowly.

    The person standing above me was a boy that looked just like Adam.  I jumped into a seated position nervously.

    "Seraina, you're going to be late!"  He took me by the hand and yanked me from under the covers.  I felt my face get hot.  I suspected my face was red.  He pulled me out of bed and down the hall into a big room full of people.

    I felt like a ghost.  This was what Adam was supposed to be like, before I stepped over the hill.  I had no idea what I was doing in this world, because I could tell I wasn't finding anything here.

    A girl that looked almost exactly like Tira bounced up to me.

    "Hey Ser-aina can you sing for me today?"  Tira asked.

    I froze.  I had no idea what the me from this world was like, but I had just screamed myself hoarse.

    Everyone else in the room was looking at me expectantly.

    "..."

    All my efforts created was a small breeze.  I couldn't speak.

    "Are you okay?"  Adam came up to me, his worried face breaking me inside, making me want to scream again.  I pushed him away gently.

    The room collectively gasped.

    Now I was really stuck.  I had no idea what was going on here, but I could tell I'd just broken some rule in this world.

    "Sing for her, Seraina!"  Someone called out.

    I don't know any songs.

    I don't know how to sing.

    "Please?"  Tira's shining eyes begged me.

    Now would be a good time for the portal to sweep me away again.

    People clamoring became a noisy mushy mess, completely overtaking my hearing, my mind, just everything was full of noise I couldn't make any sense of.

    "Aaaaaaaah!"  I slammed my hands down on my ears, trying to stop the racket, and clear my head.

    Then everything got super quiet again.

    I heard my heart, faithfully tapping out the rhythms for me.  Even if I tried to match them, no sound would come out.  I was sure of it.

    "I..."  My hands moved to my lips in surprise.  They actually worked!  I hadn't whispered at all!   I smiled widely in excitement.

    Then a new question exploded into my mind like a firework.  What should I sing?

    The portal, with its impeccable timing promptly sucked me in, before I had the chance to open my mouth.

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-ScarletHawthorne