What Lies Beyond

Chapter 3

Several years passed, Bella growing sadder and more desperate to find her sister, even though she was certain that all she would find were her remains...

Bella gave up. She sat heavily on to a log, one that she had sat and thought many times before. Sophie wasn't anywhere near their home. Bella had searched for years only near their home, and she gave up, feeling like she had let her family down. She finally thought that Sophie might be in the city. The thought had occurred to her before, yes, but she hadn't actually given any thought to it. Her mom had said 7 years ago that she would look in the city and surrounding area, but hadn't returned after her 9th trip. She stood abruptly, and ran home, snatching food, water, and some clothes, stuffing it hastily in a backpack, and headed North, for the city...

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In the city there were rumors, and Bella looked into them. She found out that, yes, 7 years ago a girl matching Sophie's description had come passing. Also, the same girl over the past 7 years had come through regularly for food and clothes. It was always once a month, and nobody knew where she lived, nor how she got her money. Her once a month trip had happened one week ago, so all Bella had to do was wait for 3 weeks!

Suddenly, she became aware of hoofbeats, and she saw a flash of a silvery-whiteish horse go galloping past, and then seeing a tail disappear around a corner.

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Moonbeam, her unicorn, appeared, out of breath, and lathered with sweat. "A girl was in the city today inquiring about you!"

"What is her name, Moonbeam?"

"I think it was something like... uhhhh... Bella! Yeah, that's it! Bella. Do you know her?"

"Uhhhh, yeah. She's my sister." She sighed. "I had to know she would come looking for me to "bring me home..." I just had that slim amount of hope that she wouldn't."

"Should we cancel our monthly trip to the city?" Said Moonbeam worriedly.

"No, no, I want to go."

"Your choice. I'll call in Moondancer and Cloudjumper that day so we can have fun afterwards!" Moonbeam said happily, with a sparkle in her eye.

Sophie giggled. "You know me so well!"

"Well DUH!!! I am your unicorn slash best friend!"

"Do you want to go to the lake tonight? I could use a break from the scenery. Don't get me wrong, I love our home, buuuuut I need a change, you know?"

"Totally! Why else was I in the city!" They shared a good laugh at that.

The lake was a short hike up a mountain, and Sophie knew it well. There were ruins of some sort of castle there, and a beautiful lake. It looked amazing at night, with the moon lighting it with an eerie glow.

When Sophie and Moonbeam made it up, Moonbeam ran off to the other side and cantered around for a bit, while Sophie sat and thought. I still don't know what killed my dad. What is it? Who is it? I wonder wh- "the water's great! Come on in!" Moonbeam shouted. Sophie sighed, looks like no relaxation today! "Coming!" She shouted back.

The girl, unicorns, and pegasus had a splash fight in the moonlight, until Moondancer gestured with her head to something Sophie couldn't see. All of a sudden, Moonbeam said, in a deadly serious voice, "We need to get to cover-NOW!" And pulled Sophie out of the water with them, running for cover. They made it to the castle ruins, only stopping after they were covered by the remains of an elaborate roof.

"Wha...?" Sophie said, but was cut off by Moondancer. "It's time we told you something. Cloudjumper-tell her."

Before Cloudjumper spoke, they all turned their heads to the lake, where a shadow passed over the reflection of the moon on the smooth surface.

"Your father. Let's start there." Cloudjumper paused. "Kyle Bronson was a WONDERFUL man, he was willing to do anything for his family and frie..." Cloudjumper got cut off. "You knew my dad!!!!????" Cloudjumper sighed. "Yes... now, if I may continue. Ahem. Kyle was always, hmm, lets say... bold, about his choices regarding the creatures of Aaragon. He befriended us, but not one other breed. He was out late one night putting out the trash, and... and... he was killed by a Dragon. That's what we just saw. A Dragon, and not just ANY dragon. I think it was Kyros, the most feared beast of all. He burned down this Castle a long time ago. Anyway, if you were to see your parents old house in the city, you would have found some still remaining scorch marks in the driveway-just a few feet from the house. Along with the outline of your father. And a few inches from that, of his trash bags."

Sophie opened her mouth to speak, but before she said anything, a black paper came floating in through the window. Looking at it, Sophie saw that it was addressed to Moonbeam. Wordlessly, she handed it over. Moonbeam read it, and did a double take.

"What!? What is it!?!? Who's it from???"

"Kyros." She said bitterly. "And... and, he had a message for me. And... one for you. Your father... he's..."