Following the River

Chapter 5

--Part One: The Door that Divides--

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Chapter 5

A disorientated breeze swept through the air. Violet eyes slowly blinked open to the world. The sweet scents of lilacs and other exotic flowers swept through the wind. A few birds called in the distance, jolting her awake to what had just happened.

A blurry circle of stones around an oak tree came into view. A few bumble bees worked busily at a nearby sunflower that was taller than her. The oak tree danced in the breeze, the leaves plentiful.

The moment of realization hit her like a bus. Where am I? How did I get here? Hailey gazed around with violet eyes. She glanced back at the blue fiery door. Beyond was an ocean that soon narrowed out to become a river.

I must turn back! My mom would freak out if she knew I was somewhere else...this place is... Hailey gulped and swiftly turned to exit through the door, but something made her turn in the opposite direction to face the ancient oak.

The white sand was soft beneath her feet. Hailey spun around once again to examine not the door this time, but the big full moon that was glowing in the sky.

Am I dreaming? Hailey noticed on the ground a set of paw prints, also a set of footprints as well. The smell of the sea calmed her as she watched the river from her yard flow around the circle of stones and into a trail that could lead to somewhere safe or dangerous.

A flash of blue went past Hailey's eyes and she took a step back in alarm. There's still time to turn back... a voice murmured from within her. 

"Are you...alone...?" A small and fragile voice asked. Hailey tilted her head and her eyes darted from side to side. Her heart fluttered nervously from in her chest.

"Yes...where are you?" Hailey quietly replied, not wanting to scare whoever it was away. Maybe then they could tell her something because she had no idea what was going on right now.

Then, almost instantly, a girl appeared from behind the oak. Her blue dress flowed softly in the breeze, her pink striped socks had black puffs on the ends, and her hair was in two blonde strands.

"I’m right here…and we must leave." The little girl held out her hand, "Follow."

Hailey gazed back at the door once more, letting her heart decide what to do next. Hailey turned to ask the girl some questions before deciding, but suddenly became face-to-face with the little British girl.

"Come," she whispered and Hailey's feet suddenly had a mind of its own. She headed down the stone path alongside the girl and through a thick layer of fog that quickly cleared as they entered a village.

The village was now completely in sight now. Lot's of streetlights dotted the land. A few people entered and exited shops alongside a paved cobblestone road.

"What is this pl-" The girl suddenly slapped her hand over Hailey's mouth. Her gray eyes were suddenly chilling.

"Speak no more," she murmured, then all of a sudden rapid barking sounded in the distance. The girl yanked Hailey into an ally between two buildings. Together they ran to the back and knelt down panting. The girl gazed up and extended her hand saying, "I'm Sophia Diamond. How are you here?"

"Hailey Paver, and I was led here on purpose...I think...but I lost them." Hailey's eyes lowered to see what Sophia was staring at.

Her eyes were fixed on Hailey's locket. Sophia then spoke, "Who gave that to you?"

"My dad...do you have one like it?" asked Hailey, starting to get suspicious about the whole matching bracelet thing.

Sophia held her arm up, the identical heart locket dangling in front of her eyes. The only difference was that there was a diamond in Sophia's and an amethyst in Hailey's.