TWISTED

25: Strange Voices

Trisa was already fast asleep when Ella entered their room. A blanket was casually draped over her legs and she lay face up, left hand hanging over her forehead. She didn't stir or pretended not to.

Ella glanced away at her own bed and slipped off her shoes and outer clothes. Clad in a simple night gown, she sat on her bed and was about relishing the comfort of the furniture when she heard a voice.

"Ella." It came as a whisper.

"Ella."

Thinking that she was just hearing things, Ella shook her head after taking her hair out of its ponytail.

"Ella, I know you can hear me. Come outside and let's talk." Ella looked at Trisa. The voice wasn't hers.

It baffled her how a person could speak in whispers from outside and yet she could hear the voice quite alright.

"There's no time, Ella." The voice persisted.

Quickly, Ella left the room and stood at the door. "Alright, I'm here." She whispered.

"Step forward into the darkness."

Ella did as she was told and was greeted with the figure of a young girl of about sixteen if she wasn't mistaken.

"My name is Romera. I'm here to help you."

Ella almost snickered at the frail girl. Between the both of them, who needed more help?

"I'm not a frail girl. You need my help more than I need yours, Ella." Romera spoke.

Ella's breath stilled in awe. "You-"

Romera sighed, flipping her curly white hair. "I read thoughts, there, happy? Can we go already?"

"Go? To where?"

Romera rolled her eyes impatiently. "You ask too many questions, human. The Prince is in danger, come on." She held out her right hand to Ella who noticed a silver staff in the other hand.

Ella hesitantly grabbed Romera's little fingers and immediately their skins touched, Ella felt a sudden rush of energy around her and a blinding bright light enveloped them, transporting both girls to another realm.

"I call it transitioning." Romera explained after they appeared in a deserted church with cobwebs covering every single furniture around.

"Where's this place?" Ella gazed at everything her eyes could find. Old bibles, ribbons, pieces of clothes...

"It used to be a church before the Blood Witch cast a spell on the villagers. She's moving fast, Ella. She wants to take over Aria."

So, Brian was working with a force?

"Brian doesn't know what's coming, Ella. He's the least of our worries, once the Blood Witch enters Aria, I'm sorry, but you'll lose all those you ever cared about there."

Ella frowned. "Could you try not to invade my mind next time?"

"Sorry, I can't help it." Romera apologized, leading Ella down a small passage beside the altar.

"Cathy, we're home!"

Home? Ella wondered but she followed behind silently. There was nobody around to save her even if they were planning to harm her.

Romera showed Ella into a vestibule that now served as bedroom, sitting room and kitchen for the people living here. There were two beds pushed up beside the only window in the room. Other items like chairs and tables and some weird looking items were at the left and at the right was a cooking area. Surprisingly the place was spotless and a smallish figure was fussing over some dishes.