Mystery of the Boundaries

Chapter Five

Fire, was all I could see.

Red, orange, yellow.

Red, orange, yellow.

A scream.

Evelina.

I quickly walk up closely to the burning flames. There I see a blonde silhouette. A girl.

Evelina.

"Evelina!" I scream.

She turns, but is held back because she is bound by the ropes surrounding her. Tears streaks down her dirty face. This is not good, because Evelina's worst fear was fire. Her grey eyes are wide as she sees me, trembling so hard that I'm astonished that she's still standing straight up.

"Run, Alaska, run!" She screams back.

And so I immediately turn, fleeing the horrific scene, reminding myself that this is all surreal, just a dream. This was all just a horrific dream.

Hopefully.

*~*

Brilliant colors explode behind my groggy eyelids as I finally open them. I feel the humid air blowing across my face. So much for my kickbum powers.

Thud, thud, thud....

I quickly go back to the state I was in and added the breathing effect so I would fool whoever was in the room that i am still in a deep slumber. Breathe in, out, in, out. Steady.

Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.....

The weird shuffling made me curious. I peek with an eye to see what was going on, only to be met with a dark cloaked figure, leaning over a wooden treasure chest beside the ancient fireplace, face concealed by the oh-so-dreadfully eerie shadows that seem to be dancing across the dusty floor of this wood cabin, lit up only with a few flickering candles that seem to almost be running out.

Soon, the masked identity seemed overly satisfied with the items they've collected. Spreading all the treasure-like objects on the antique wooden table, they settle themselves comfortably on a stool that could be possibly taller than me, but I was probably the shortest girl in my class, so the height didn't really matter.

Waiting for the unpleasant stranger to carry on, I'm surprised when they quickly turn around to see if I was awake. Closing my eyes tightly, I pray to all the gods that I don't even believe in (I guess bonding with gods comes in handy sometimes. Although in my case, I can already imagine them twirling their their french moustaches, disappointed by how late I was to build a goody-two-shoes relationship with them). I even tried to breathe heavily like the Dino-like dragon king (who happens to have had the worst ghost chili peppers) just to prove I am still in dreamland. After a short (extremely long) pause, the loud and annoying shuffling begins again.

Thankful that curiosity, in fact, didn't kill the unfortunate cat (who this time happened to be me), I open my eyes again. Although this time, I strain my already tired-out ears to catch the million dollar words that Cloaky is using in a chant-like trance.

"Year after year, the time has come for I, the Keeper, to hold the sacrifice in place. Upon this Winter Solstice, the child, Evelina Adams, will be the great sacrifice in balance of the light and dark. Given by permission, the Chosen ones may rescue them from their misery from the range of 14 days, honoured, "The days of Sacrifice".

In place of the sacrifice, however, a Chosen one must exchange their powers with the Master. Although, the master will have the power to invest the gifts he claimed to anything he wishes upon, while he may not send the Chosen one to treason.

I, the keeper, declare, the Days of Sacrifice to begin!"

The fire crackles, as if agreeing with the mysterious stranger.

*~*

Right after the small explosion of sparks, I quickly try to search for my precious dagger. But the thing is, it's not there.

Well, stupid. Any sane person would confiscate weapons from the prisoners before they're held in hostage. I tell myself, scolding me for my idiocy.

I quickly scan the room.

Aha! A broom sits at the foot of my bed, so I sneakily grabbed it and stood up, positioning myself right behind the stranger.

"WHERE. IS. EVELINA." I snarl threateningly. And he doesn't even flinch as he raises a gloved hand and and easily flicks the broom out of my tight grip.

"You will know once you've completed the test." The figure replies calmly.

With that, the trees all swirl into a small whirlwind of leaves, everything becomes slightly blurry, as if someone had taken off my glasses (although I don't have any). I remember the Keeper's words, which still ring in my ears dully.

The test has begun.

Hey bookworm-lios! This was a short chapter, I know. But all is planned, I promise :P

-Infinityendlesswords