I had my eyes squeezed tight, scared to know what was around me, to see the monster world I'd been thrown into with no way to save myself if there wasn't any water around.
"Aemi, what are you doing? Did you get something in your eye?" someone asked, knowing me from somewhere. I just kept my eyes shut, trying to silence everything into a dream I could wake up from somehow.
They laughed in response to this.
"Aemi, you're simply too much. I don't know how you do it."
I was sitting on the ground, which wasn't wet for once. I curled up, pulling in my limbs which had landed in strange positions from the portal. They laughter made something tighten in my throat, and a tighten my arms which were keeping my knees in my face.
"Oh, don't be like that, Aemi. You're just being so funny, pretending to be a rock or something."
I didn't think it was funny.
They laughed some more, that let out an annoyed puff of air.
"You're not getting up are you?" Their tone changed from cheerful to deep and irritating. It reminded me of the scraping of a roar, or the growl that was it's predecessor.
Then they let out an annoyed groan. "Fine. You can sit there as long as you want, see if I care." Then I heard footsteps leading away.
I relaxed a bit, letting my arms loosen.
I cautiously opened one eye.
Aemi, you're such a scaredy-cat. I heard a vivid memory replay in my mind. I could still hear his voice, and his laugh, which was rich and powerful.
The ground was actually cool deep green grass. It smelled wonderful, and felt alive like nothing from back at the Old Castle. Not even the people.
Especially not Seraina. She always walked around like she had the life sucked out of her years ago.
It scared me. She often stared intently as if to read through you and learn all your secrets. When she was satisfied with what she knew, her gaze would shift back to the floor, burning a trail. She reminded me of a zombie, if one could exist. She never spoke. Ever. I think she mumbled once, but it wasn't loud enough to understand. Yet everyone seems to like her.
I was even more scared of Adam. He was in love with her. I didn't see what he saw, that's for sure. I'm sure he thinks she's beautiful. I'm sure he thinks she's nice.
That's not what I see.
Seraina has an intense glare that spares no one. There are few people who stand up to it, Karen, Kei, and Adam. That's it. Her gray eyes could make holes in the sky.
I shook my head, trying to erase the visual that was making me shiver.
focus on the grass, I thought.
I opened another eye.
Aemi, are you going to hide your whole life?
It was ridiculously bright. The sky was bright blue, deep and relaxing. A breeze gently rushed over my wet clothing, letting the cold soak into my skin. I was sitting on a grassy slope that looked out over a beautiful valley of flower gardens.
Then I remembered that there had been someone with me. I wildly swung my head around, feeling a growing tension in between my shoulder blades.
Oh, grow up. I'm just teasing, that's all.
No one. I took my chances and ran down the hill. I didn't want to run into whomever had been with me moments ago, and chances were they would start by looking for me where they'd left me.
I ran over a red wooden bridge with overlooked a slow stream. The trees thickened a bit, and I ducked behind one.
This tree overlooked a pond, which the little stream flowed into. It was a willow, with branches that draped like my hair, only green and brown, and not black. I desperately tried to catch my breath, leaning over the pond a bit to get a look at my reflection. I looked tired, that much was certain. Using mt aptitude for so long while trying to get to Seeker's Hill had been exhausting. My hair matched the willow tree branches perfectly; still, and led by gravity into long thin strands.
I placed my hands in the water, and was rewarded by a welcome coolness. I splashed some on my face, refreshing after an intense sprint. Once the little pond cleared of ripples I noticed the reflection had changed.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-"
They put their hand on my mouth before I could keep going. Then I elbowed them in the face.
"Jeez, Aemi calm down. You're going to scare everyone in Creta Se with that scream of yours." I closed my eyes, not wanting to know who it was.
"Did I scare you?" He asked playfully.
No.
Of course he did.
"I did, didn't I?" He sounded pleased with himself, as if it was an accomplishment of some kind.
"G-g-go away, p-please" I managed.
I could just see the pout form on his face.
Fake.
"Awww, Aemi, but I like being with you." I could practically feel a mischievous smile on his lips.
"At least open your eyes, Aemi." He was done playing it seemed. Tired of teasing.
I opened one eye, to see if I was right.
Unfortunately for me, I was.
Morgan was in this world, too.
He smiled at me.
"I did. Happy?" I asked, edging away from him.
"A little." He admitted, a small genuine smile tugging at his cheeks. Their voices were identical. Morgan from my little group of people in the castle that I led, for no reason other than the fact that I was responsible enough to get things done on my own.
This Morgan looked similar, only he looked less malicious. He had an air of boyishness I'd never noticed before, that made him seem harmless. His curly brown hair seemed more playful, and a bit of a lighter shade of brown.
He made the other Morgan look like a devil in comparison- which he was.
"So, would you like to sit? Sorry for scaring you," Morgan said, gesturing at the inviting hardy willow tree root.
I didn't see why not.
I can't believe you keep falling for that, Aemi! My memories ridiculed me, You're so gullible. Can't you see?
I took in some extra air. It was clean, cool, and fresh, which was relaxing.
Then I turned to Morgan and made my decision.
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This chapter was on the longer side, I hope you liked it!
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Happy Reading!
-ScarletHawthorne
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