Sometimes when I woke up from a nap, I felt the sensation that time had passed while I was sleeping. Of course, being a lazy teenager there had been plenty of times I had woken up from a nap and realized I had grossly overslept- then, I panicked. That was bad, but the terror of waking up in a different world topped it, hands down.
I sat up in the opulent bed, looking around at the unfamiliar room. I turned my head and looked out the window. When I first came to the forest, it was light. Now, the moon- or the moon on this place, was in the middle of the sky. Along with two other planets. I definitely wasn't hallucinating then. I sat down on the edge of the bed and tried my best to not break down. I was in another world. I knew no one, I didn't understand how anything worked here, and I was wearing a dress! I took deep breaths, trying to manage my anxiety the only way I knew how, to sit down and talk myself through it.
The book.
The solution was obvious. It was obvious that my strange tome had somehow put me here. Maybe it could get me back home, or at least answer some questions. I stood up from my ornate wooden bed and searched 'my' room as best I could with only the moonlight to help me see. I tore through chores, searched the chest at the foot of the bed, and looked anywhere else I could think of. It wasn't here.
I studied the room I was in. The planets and odd plants I'd never seen had lead me to believe that I hadn't somehow traveled back in time. I was on a different world. Still, there seemed to be some basic similarities. This place didn't have the look of a castle, rather a well-built mansion of some sort. My best bet for finding the book was stumbling across a library and finding it there.
Morning was just barely breaking, so I had just enough natural light to safely maneuver around. I picked up the heavy skirts of the gown and made my way towards the door. The long corridor had several other doors that looked like mime, most likely bedrooms. It hit me then. I didn't know anything about where I was or the people that lived here. They could view me as an enemy somehow. I had to be careful not to disturb anyone. Getting that book and finding a way home was my first priority.
As I stood at the door frame of 'my' bedroom, pondering all this while my brain turned itself on,I heard the gentle clang of some sentry's armor. I swiftly closed the door and waited till I heard him pass. I listened to his footsteps carefully. They didn't pause or change pace. He probably hadn't hurt me. Thankfully.
I breathed deeply, steeling myself to try again. This time, when I opened the door and peeked my head out, no one greeted me. Slowly, I made my way out of the room I'd awakened in and jogged through the corridor.
I didn't even pause to admire the gorgeous dark wooden tables with vases of flowers on them or portraits of old, well-dressed people. The high ceilings and arched windows were imposing, and the intricately carved wood paneled walls were beautiful. This didn't seem like a prison. If this was how they treated enemies here, I think I could survive.
Even so, I had to get home. After taking a few turns in the mansion that was twice as big as I'd estimated, I came upon two massive sets of double doors and what looked like and entry way. I'd obviously found the exit of this place. I hesitated. Should I make a break for it, or keep looking for a library? Could I even get home without the book? Could I get home at all.
'I never even got to visit their graves!' The small part of me that still felt things cried out. I was stricken. I wouldn't leave without that book. I had to get home.
I strode towards the smaller doors, expecting to find a library. Instead, I seemed to have found the ball room. There was what was obviously a stage near the back of the room. A few comfortable looking upholstered couched were set against the walls. There were delicately paned glass windows and huge red drapes hanging from golden rods.
