The Strongest Bond

Chapter 3

We had walked for what had probably been hours, only stopping to drink some water from a little brook. Even the water looked flawless. It was so clear and it sparkled in the fading sunlight. We could see the castle in the distance getting bigger the closer we got.

"So how do you know that this so called Reynes castle will help me get home?" I asked. I had been thinking about this the whole time we had been walking, but I had not wanted Kadrin to think I doubted him. He scratched the back of his head in thought.

"Well there is an old legend that the castle is a portal to other worlds, and the cliff it sits on is said to lead to your heart's desire. I personally have never witnessed any of that stuff happening but I figured it's worth the chance." His words didn't really reassure me but his idea was the best that I had at the moment. We continued walking until we reached an old fashioned stone bridge, that crossed over a river. Night had fallen and it was just as breathtaking as the day. The dark indigo skies were full of twinkling stars much brighter than the ones on earth.

"Maybe under different circumstances I would have stayed and explored this place a bit more." I commented. Just the thought of staying in a place as beautiful as Arcadia made me sad to leave. Kadrin and I walked over the bridge and continued down a cobblestone path to the castle. It was more magnificent than I had imagined. It looked like something out of a fairytale. It was made of stone and it had towering spires, and a giant oak door that was 10 times as big as me.

"Wow, it's so big!" Awe filled my voice and when I looked at Kadrin he was laughing at me.

"You've never seen a castle before have you Lilli?" He exclaimed. I shook my head still staring wide mouthed at the castle.

"You know, you could stay if you wanted I know a village not too far from here. It is filled with nice people, and if I told them you were my friend, they would accept you at once." He stared at me eager for an answer.

"As tempting as your offer is, I need to get back to Kaden and my grandparents, and make sure they are ok."

"I understand." For a moment he looked sad, but then his expression turned into anger and determination. I took a step back alarmed at the change.

"I'm sorry Lilli, but I can't allow you to leave. Usually people don't think twice about my offer, but you're different. It is because you are a twin. You have a bond stronger than I imagined. Because of this you are still tied to the real world, and have a reason to go back. My task was to make sure you would want to stay, but because you have refused my offer, I must make sure you do not make it through those castle doors." With that he pulled out a knife. My shock was probably evident on my face.

"But then why take me all the way to the castle?" My voice quivered and I hated it because it made me sound weak.

"Well, I didn't think that you would refuse me. I had my disguise right and everything, but that doesn't matter right now."

"Disguise? What is he talking about." After that thought crossed my mind his features changed. His eyes turned dark and narrow, He got taller and bigger with more muscle, and his hair turned black while his skin got pale. I then got an idea, if I could keep him talking, then maybe I could inch my way to the door.

"So, was everything you told me about this castle a lie?" I tried to sound hurt, when really I was scared. I didn't know what would happen to me if I died here.

"Of course Reynes castle isn't a portal. I knew you wouldn't come with me if I didn't give you hope of saving your brother." This threw a wrench into my plan because now I knew that the castle would not save me. My only chance was to hope that he hadn't lied about the cliff too. Luckily, my back was facing the edge so I slowly started inching backwards. The only problem was that I had to keep him talking.

"What do you mean you had to give me hope of saving my brother. Do you know if he's alive?" I was getting closer, but for every step I took backwards, he took one forwards.

"Of course I don't know whether or not your brother is alive, but from the sounds of your story I'd say he is as good as dead." I stopped walking when he said this.

"You don't know that." I countered. He leered at me then started walking towards me again knife at his side.

"Yes I do. No one would have been around to help him because you fell and hit your head. I also know that time here passes as fast as time does in your world."

"Oh no" I said with realization. Suddenly,everything made sense. The reason he took me to the castle was so that he could waste time.

"Oh yes." Kadrin said with a sadistic grin on his face. He was right. I had been gone for a whole day. No one would have seen the car wreck until morning. My Grandpa was useless because he couldn't get out of the car and his cell phone was wrecked. I felt hopeless. Everything I did to try and save my brother was for nothing. I had reached the edge of the cliff, but Kadrin was closing in on me. I had a split second to make my decision. Wait and be killed by Kadrin or throw myself over the cliff and hope for the best. I chose the latter. Worse case scenario, I die. With that last thought, I hurled myself into the black abyss below. Kadrin leaned over the cliff with a look of shock on his face, as he watched me plummet to my death. Then everything went black, for a second time.