We Are The Roses

Part 12 --

In Nova Maya and Ali were walking around the castle garden, talking about the past couple of days and even though they were forbidden to discuss anything about their plans to prove that they were with their soulmates.  They quietly spoke about it when no one was around to hear them. They also spoke about how even though they were in the afterlife things were going quite well for them both. 

They met up with Hannah (their best friend) and stopped at the cafe to get a hot chocolate each. They laughed and spoke for about two hours, then all went to the castle gardens for about the third time that day and walked around it stopping on they way in awe of the rare butterflies, bees, flowers and so much more nature and wildlife. They walked back into the castle and up to Mayas room still laughing and settled down together and watched a movie. Hannah decided to go back down to the cafe to meet her other friends at one. 

Ali and Maya were left alone and they began speaking about the competition and about how it would feel if they were alone without each other. With tear-filled eyes they came to a conclusion that if one of them was chosen get their life back that they wouldn't go, they would stay together no matter what.  

As they were sitting on Mayas bed tears still in their eyes and their arms around each other the speakers around them buzzed with static and someone announced that they were all to be in the great hall at 3 that afternoon. Maya checked her watch and noticed that it was currently two. They ran to the nearest coffee shop and grabbed a cup of hot chocolate each. 

They arrived at the great hall just before 3 and walked in as Dae came onto the podium. Everyone in the hall stood silently as Dae spoke, her angelic voice ricocheting through the castle walls. "Well done to all of you for getting to this day, you all hold potential, there is 12 days left now which means that it is time to tell you all something. Those who do not get granted their lives back get sent to another castle where you cannot see through to your loved ones. This castle is called Beverstone Castle, it is the castle of Arte the goddess of animals. When you enter the castle you will automatically become the guardian of an animal. More about the guardianship will be explained to those who go.". She paused for a moment and let the 200 people standing in front of her process the information that they has just heard. 

She began speaking again as the murmuring of the crowd became louder. "Those who I call, come forward and once you are all forward I shall tell you why you are standing here before me, separated from everyone.".  Around ten minutes later 120 people were standing at the front of the room, waiting to know why they are standing there. "I am sorry but those who are standing at the front of the hall are going to Beverstone castle. You only have the rest of today to see your other halves and tonight to say your last goodbye. Tomorrow morning when dawn breaks you will be be transported to the castle.  Arte will be waiting for you. Those who are getting transported tomorrow may leave now. Good luck over there." 

As the people who were standing at the front exited the great hall both Ali and Maya saw Hannah going out with them. In that moment a silent tear ran down both of of their cheeks and 80 people were left standing in the middle of the hall. Ali and Maya still holding each others hands still standing in the great hall gave each other a hug with tears in their eyes. Dae spoke again "80 of you are left standing, well done. Tomorrow 20 more people will go to Beverstone Castle and be with the others.." She bowed her head, turned and walked away. 

After the speech they went in search of Hannah, they searched everywhere in the castle garden, in the coffee shop and in both Maya and Alis rooms but she wasn't there, she wasn't anywhere. "The window." Maya gasped suddenly. "What?." Ali asked. "She will be at the window." Maya replied. They ran down to the window and saw that there was a lot of people at the window, all 120 that were going to Beverstone Castle were watching their loved ones. They walked around for a couple of minutes as sobs surrounded them. "Here." they heard Hannah say through her tears. They turned around and found her sitting on one of the seats. Without saying anything to her they went and comforted her with a hug. They sat there with Hannah while she watched her loved ones.

 Around 4 Ali left to go to the coffee shop to get them all hot chocolates. When she got back they sat until the speakers let out a buzz and Daes voice filled the rooms. "It is dawn. Those who are going to Beverstone you must leave now.". Maya and Ali walked Hannah up to the castle door where there was a portal now, it was to transports the people to Beverstone. Most of the people had walked through the door as sadly they did not have any goodbyes to make amongst them, only through the window. Maya and Ali gave Hannah a hug and told her that everything was going to be okay, she will make new friends and that she will be happy. That maybe one or both of them would join her in 12 days.  They watched her walk through the door, tears seeping from their eyes as they waved one last time at her before she vanished. They remained standing their filled with sadness even after the door had been closed again.