Chapter 6

I lightly pushed the door to the rooftop trying not to make a sound. I am also wearing a V-neck long sleeves and tight pants which of both are black. The darkness is thick with the full moon being the only source of light from above. The colour of my clothes made it easier for me to blend in the dark.

My eyes searched the rooftop for a sign of someone. No one is here. I breathe out, letting my shoulders relax down as I walked to the concrete railings. Tonight is a bit chilly. It is the type of coldness that does not reach to my bones but instead it was comforting. The frigid breeze blew right through my sleeves, meeting the warmth of my blood. The current temperature didn't bother me all because of the thought that I am finally making progress of finding my mother.

I want to know everything. If there is even a logical reason or explanation as to why she left me. Or how the hell did she come from another world. This only implies that I am not actually from here even though I was born here. Finding my biological mother is not about to make me feel the love from her, no, Aunt Claire filled that part out for her. My emotions were mixed but I try to be neutral about it until I find the truth.

"Did you wait too long?" A voice asked. I could feel him standing beside me. I felt him right before he spoke. That is how sharp my senses are, although I'm not quite sure how. I opened my eyes and looked straight ahead at nothing. "Not at all."

"This way." He signalled for me to follow him. I trailed behind him, keeping my distance. I don't know why but he makes me nervous yet he doesn't look dangerous, so why?

He lead the way to the back of the construction on the roof that houses the door going down the stairs. I spotted Octavia standing near the edge where there is no barrier. "I was beginning to think you would not come." she said. She turned to us with her ever so genuine sweet smile.

She ambled towards me and set her hand on my shoulder. "Are you ready?" She questioned, the smile on her lips fading and turning into a serious look. I nodded in response. Like they say, 'it's now or never.'

"Alright, let's go." She added. They both strolled to the end. Go? Go where? I'm confused why we are not exiting the rooftop like we are suppose to, to go down. "D-Don't tell me we're going to jump?" I stated, the shaking in my voice obvious. That must be impossible!

Octavia touched the golden fancy bracelet on her wrist that is studded with shimmering gems. She slightly twisted it clockwise while watching down the building. What is she looking at exactly? There is nothing but plain ground down there.

"Precisely!" She said a smirk on her face. My eyes instantly widened. I don't know about them but I do not have any super powers that can keep me from dying when I jump. "W-What?" I asked, disbelief written on my face. They both are standing dangerously close to the edge.

"See you on the other side." Octavia turned her head to me, the left side of her lips already curved up. Not a second later, she stepped off and intentionally fell.

"Octavia!" I screamed and went after her. My feet immediately came to a halt when I saw no sign of her falling down. Instead, some sort of a force field is floating in the air, not a meter down. I couldn't believe what I was seeing!

"D-D-Did that just swallowed her up?" I stuttered, pointing down. I blinked a lot of times to make sure what I was looking at is real. The force field slightly glimmered. It almost looked like it was not even there.

"What the hell is that?" I asked more to myself than to him.

"It is an entrance to our world," he asserted. Entrance? It must be a portal.

"Na-uh, I am not going in there." I shook my head aggressively. There is no way I am getting anywhere near that thing.

"Come on. Don't be afraid." He lend his hand out in front of me. I looked up to him then to his hand. I surprisingly lifted my hand and placed it on top of his like my hand had its own mind and I could not control it nor could even bring myself to pull it back. He took the last remaining step and pulled my hand with him.

"Don't you dare let go." I demanded, my hand slightly shaking. He looked at me with amusement. It seemed that he found my reaction funny. I rolled my eyes at him before swallowing a lump in my throat. Does he really find my reaction entertaining?

"I promise." He said although it seemed more of a mock. His sudden action of tightening his grip on my hand made me look at our hands together. His move somehow calmed me down a little to the point that I could control my breathing. I do not fear height but it's just that jumping without knowing what is in the other end is making me worried. I gulped and finally made the jump with him.

***

Everything happened under probably 3 seconds or so. 3 seconds that felt like the longest. So short yet the sensation it brought was the worse. As soon as that thing swallowed us up, my stomach felt like it turned upside down. It felt like vomiting but nothing is coming out. My head feels like it's spinning rapidly that my eyeballs would pop out at any second. However, I felt that my body floated in the air like my weight is compared to a weightless feather. I could not even feel Alexander's hand the whole time. Other than that, I could also hear an odd muffled noise like when you are under water and someone is speaking above. The entire time I had my eyes pierced shut.

I peaked through my one eye as soon as I felt the hard ground beneath my feet. The moment I heard the chirping of birds and the sound of nature, I felt at ease and composed myself.

Wait, nature?

The second I realized Alexander's hand still holding mine, I immediately let go. I could feel my cheeks are flushed right now. It's embarrassing. "Took you both long enough. Did you enjoy each other's company?" Octavia uttered. I followed her voice and found her confidently sitting on top of a stump. Her eyebrows wiggled playfully at us. I raised my eyebrow and ignored her. My jaw dropped instantly as the sight behind her took my attention.

I am introduced to a new world.

My feet moved like it had its own mind. We are in a forest. Everything is a mix of green and brown. The trees in front of me were never ending. Its trunk are huge and wide, wrapped by moss. It stood so proudly. Its large veiny roots diffused across the ground. I suddenly felt so tiny being around these humongous trees.

The sun is out yet the air is cool. I closed my eyes, inhaling and taking in the fresh and crisp air. I could hear an orchestra of birdsong. It's beautiful. I smiled in amazement. This is heaven!

I finally opened my eyes and saw a butterfly coming my way. I reached my finger in front and it calmly settled on top. Its legs lightly resting on my finger. Its body is covered with sensory hairs. Its scaly wings were black and gold, the colour blending perfectly. I looked at it one more time before lightly blowing it away.

I never thought that there would be a much more beautiful forest like this one, it is probably a closer sight of The Garden of Eden. It is a sight to behold - magical and heavenly, as if it is alive. It is just purely breathtaking, from the rich brown earth to the green trees and plants and to the sweetest bright - blue sky above.

"Magnificent, don't you think?" Octavia stepped beside me. She must be lucky to live in a world so beautiful as this.

"Beyond that." I nodded in agreement, never taking my eyes off of my surroundings. I think I could never get enough of it.

"Shall we go then?" She asked and walked ahead. I watched her and noticed that Alexander is way ahead of us already. I must have gotten distracted that I didn't realize him walking away.

I silently followed behind Octavia until we caught up to her brother. I searched the forest with my eyes for any signs of people, towns, city, or just anything really. I believe that it would be a long walk to their home because it seems that we are deep in the forest.

Or so I thought.

Alexander suddenly stopped in his tracks. I looked at him and he seems to be listening so intently. Octavia did too, it was as if they heard something. My ears perked up as well trying to listen.

"Something is happening." Alexander stated. I looked at him. What does he mean exactly?

It was then that I detected thick and black smoke rising to the sky. "There." I said pointing behind them both. Alexander immediately turned and ran at the direction of where the smoke is coming from. It was as if he realized it right before I said it. Octavia followed after him and so I did too.

The smoke is getting closer. He's right, there seems to be something happening. We eventually came to a stop when we saw three men running towards us. They were wearing a studded leather armour on their upper body. Each had a sword tucked behind them. Did they come from filming a movie based on their outfits?

They crouched down trying to catch their breath. They all seemed to be running from something or someone. Anxiousness and fear were clearly visible in their eyes.

"Your majesties."

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