30

The night passed in a blur and she woke up from a bright sunlight resting on her face. She felt very, but very comfortable, as if she had slept in silk. The bed was soft and fluffy, and the blankets were warm.She thought it was a good, ethereal morning and didn't want to wake up. But then, the dread, the negativity, the intrusive thoughts, everything came back to her. She was a fool, she was kidnapped, she was in danger and... she was enjoying the bed. She hated herself for that.But then, she stopped thinking about it and remembered it was daytime. She slipped off the bed and went to the window. At least this chamber had a window.She shoved the whole curtain and a clear light purple sky was visible. The sun was shining, and it looked white, with a hint of blue. The size was similar to that of the earth.A glimpse of hope rushed through her heart. The sky didn't look terrific at all, but beautiful instead. It was a comforting sight to behold, despite the unknown that was currently petrifying her."So this isn't totally a bad place," she muttered to herself. Whatever was happening to her was a mystery, she didn't know where she was and how she was going to get out. All she knew was she was in a unknown realm or planet and being held captive in a fancy room.But then, a heavy, seductive smell reached her nose and she looked down at the railing, seeing an ancient vase. On the vase there were red roses. Oh, red roses."Damnit," she cursed under her breath. They reminded her of the roses she used to find in her room and her mind swirled with troubled thoughts. Were they the same?Of course they were the same. The scent was the same, the color the same, the aura the same. There were four of them, and they seemed to watch her, to taunt her and the position she was in.Then, the realisation that they weren't here before she slept, and that someone had entered in, hit her hard. He did it, who else?"Maybe I shouldn't have slept," Regan said to herself in frustration. She looked at the tray of food, it was the same. The same spaghettis and glass of water.She was more hungry than ever, although they were cold now. And her mouth was burning from dehydration.With her courage she took just a sip from the water. It tasted sweet, not sweet like sugar, but just water. She was so thirsty that she drank it all.As for spaghettis, she was still skeptical. Her stomach was empty and she wanted to eat, despite herself.But then, she felt something weird, something haunting. She heard movements from outside the chamber and quickly walked back from where she was.The doors opened and he was there, the one she hated. His expression was cold, blank, and unreadable."Why haven't you eaten already?" He asked coldly, his hawk-like gaze piercing through her eyes.Regan felt the words catching on her throat. She had to be careful, but her anger was winning."You think I'm going to eat that? I know you've poisoned it," she snapped, crossing her arms and darting her eyes away.It was just impossible for her to look at that man's eyes without feeling embarrassed. His gaze was penetrating, like he could see layers of her soul she didn't even know existed. He was dressed in a long, black coat that made him look even more obscure. Under his coat, he was wearing a white shirt and black pants. His shirt was left unbuttoned at the top, revealing his muscular pale chest. His boots were polished and shiny, like they had been taken care of by someone else.As he leaned against the doorway, she could see his fingers were full of rings. They were probably gold or silver, with precious rubies and sapphires. His hair was swept back, but a few strands still rebelled against it, giving him that bad boy look. And the worst, he was smirking.She didn't know when she ended up staring at him. But she quickly snapped her eyes away, frowning at herself. What a fool she was, staring at him like that. That was why he was smirking, probably."Poisoned?" He raised an eyebrow, his eyes cold but there was a tinge of amusement in them. "But you drank the water. Let's say I poisoned the water."Regan's heart raced at his words. Was he lying? Why would he lie? Fear engulfed her in an instant."I don't have to double the poison," she retorted."You'd still die," he said, his expression blank."Eat. Or I'll make you," his expression was still blank, but his voice held a dangerous edge.Regan scowled, her jaw clenching, "How so?" she snapped.His smirk grew wider, "You'll see. I'll come back later." He left the room quickly.Regan cursed under her breath, not really wanting him to come back later. Maybe he'd come, if she didn't really ate. And she didn't know what he meant by 'I'll make you'. But whatever he meant, it bore intrusive thoughts on her.She eyed the plate, really wanting to eat. But her pride and stubborness won over her fear. No, she was too stubborn. She wasn't going eat. She'd rather starve than give him the satisfaction that she was afraid of him doing anything to her because she didn't eat.She lay again on the bed, trying to escape this weird thing she was caught in. She remembered her life in her house, well, that wasn't really better. But at least she wasn't kidnapped. And she had her aunt.Time passed that way, he didn't really enter the room, however she was on the edge, constantly worrying about it. Maybe she should've stopped being so stubborn but her mind wasn't helping.A knock on the door broke her thoughts. She stood up quickly and moved closer to the door. It was the servant who came to bring or get food. Thankfully, Regan thought. It was better than Sirius.But she had a plan. As soon as the other girl stepped in, Regan rushed past her trying to get out of the room. But it looked like she hit a transparent wall in front of her.She opened her eyes wide, seeing a dark corridor, where she couldn't go further. Something was blocking her way. To be sure, she threw her fists and it was just as throwing them at a wall."Hey stop! No one should see you there," the servant warned, grabbing Regan's arms to get her inside quickly."No! I. Want. To. Go!" Regan said through gritted teeth.The maiden managed to get her back inside but Regan was really losing her mind and shooting glares at her."Don't look at me like that. That's a barrier you can't pass," the girl said."I can't even pass this door, what's the barrier for?" Regan asked furiously."In case you pass this door," the maiden replied.Regan glared at her, "I know you're not going to help me to leave but at least tell me what this place is and where I am!"The girl sighed, "You're in a castle.""Well?! That's obvious," Regan retorted."Alright. You're in a realm. On another planet. Your previous planet seems different. Maybe very different from other planets I've seen," she said nonchalantly, making the girl in front of her more confused than ever."Do you know it's driving me crazy? You're saying there are other planets out there with life? How have you seen them? Have you visited them? They are so so far away? Or aren't they?""Yes, they are so far away, some travel through interstellar trains, some through portals, it depends," she explained.Regan was still dumbfounded at this revelation."Do you have a name? What's your name?""Of course I have a name. My name is Althea." the girl answered."Why am I being held captive here? Do you know that?""I'm sorry, I don't know much about that. I only serve here and was assigned to serve you." Althea said and lowered her head."You don't have to do that. It makes no sense." Regan replied.Regan watched as Althea flinched and touched her ear, revealing a small earplug-like device. Startled, she hurriedly excused herself and left the chamber.Curious, Regan wondered if it was some kind of futuristic communication device, like an advanced version of AirPod.Althea walked into an enormous hall. It had white walls with gold lines. The floor was made of white clear marble.She took different turns and followed the lead of marble stairs. When Althea reached another floor, she found herself a pentagon corridor. Two tall dark double doors were in front of each other and Althea went to the one on the right.A chamber everyone was scared to walk by. She knocked and entered in."You called me, my lord." She said through trembling voice and lowered her head."You haven't been doing your job well, Althea." Sirius said with a stern voice looking through window in the dark room."Forgive me, have I done a mistake?""I didn't bring her there to die. It was your responsibility to make sure she eats.""I tried very hard, master, but she's mad and stubborn . She also tried to escape." Althea said defending herself. She wasn't willing to get fired just because of Regan."Of course she'll try to escape. Your job is to keep your eyes on her and stop wandering around. That's my last warning." Sirius sternly said."As you want, my lord." Althea bowed and left.Even though Sirius was considered vicious and evil he had helped her family. That was why she was working there.She entered the kitchen of the palace to bring food to Regan.As she entered in, Althea was greeted by two annoying girls."Don't tell me Sirius threatened you again." One of them said as she was painting her long nails. Her name was Allegra. With her long blonde hairs fell down on her knees and her big orange eyes that looked dull, she wore a short blue dress that showed each of her curves. She was a bad tempered young witch, written all over her face."I don't understand what's going on, I heard he brought a creature and keeps it on the west side." The other one said. Her name was Circe. She was a bit shorter than the other one. Her purple hair was cut till her shoulders and her eyes were just like silver. She instead, wore a white sleeveless jumpsuit."Yes, why don't you tell us already? Aren't you keeping after that?""She's from another planet." Althea said, trying to not drag the conversation with them."What? It's a she? There are way a lot of females on this castle." The girl named Circe replied."I was kinda hoping it was a guy." The blondie said."She's not a weird creature, she looks kind of.... normal." Althea said ignoring their complaints."Well tell us how she looks then." Circe demanded."Well uh... she's a redhead-""Oh stop. I can't. I hate redheads." Allegra immediately interrupted."Go on." Circe said."Okay... she had red hair, blue eyes and was kinda pretty.""Says the loser." The blondie sneered, looking at her long nails like claws."Why don't you bring us to her so we can say welcome?" Circe added with a mischievous smirk."Sirius doesn't allow this. Please don't make it hard for me." The maiden said, hoping they'd understand."He doesn't have to know. Even if he does, then what? Who is she? What is she doing here?" Allegra asked, furrowing her eyebrows."She comes from another dimension. They call it Earth.""Earth?""Wait what? Earth? Like where Vesper went?" Allegra said looking nowhere in particular."Oh, yeah, it must be the same place for sure." Circe said."Maybe Vesper knows her. I know there's going on something we have no idea of. Sirius doesn't tell anything." The blondie said narrowing her eyes in an accusing voice."When did she say she'll come?""I don't even know. But when she does, she has to give some explanations to us. Why did she even go there?""To steal spells I guess?""Spells for Sirius? That's absurd! Why should Vesper steal spells for Sirius?" Allegra snapped."Well, what else?""I don't know!"As the girls were talking to each other, they lost their attention on Althea, so she got back to Regan's chamber. While on the kitchen, she cooked food using recipes that Sirius ordered her. They came out to be good and Althea was surprised.When she knocked to the room, she founded Regan in the same state. Althea felt a bit sad about the girl. That place wasn't bad at all and she was always grumpy and angry. Did she ever smile?She reminded Althea of Sirius. He was always like a stone, cold and stern. Althea never saw him smiling or laughing. He had looks that would make any girl fall for but no one came near him, except these witches, of course."Miss, I brought you food. Please eat it. I cooked it myself. If you want me to try it, I'll try it. Don't make it hard for both of us." Althea said as she stepped closer."Don't call me miss. You already know my name." Regan's voice came out dry."Okay, Regan. Will you eat?""Why are you making such a big deal about it? I'm not dying of hunger.""Please, this place isn't bad as you think. There are so many beautiful things out there. I know you're not allowed to go out but I don't think it'll be like that for long."Regan didn't really care about Althea's words. They had an empty meaning for her."Fine, I'll eat."A smile formed on Althea's lips."Very good. That's food you eat on earth, I don't know how you call it but I have recipes."Regan looked down at the tray and saw a delicious looking burger with crispy fries on the side.She stared at it and finally took a bite from her curiousity. It tasted weird and different. Obviously, this was in another planet, something Regan would never imagine. But still, it wasn't bad as she thought."Did you like it?" Althea asked."Yes, thanks." Regan replied. The whole time she thought about her situation and that she was being rude to this girl. It wasn't her fault she was kept there. At least she wasn't being tortured. There was another person who deserved the hate."I'm glad. I need to leave now. I'll do preparations for someone else." Althea said."Are there others that live here?" Regan asked confused. She really had no idea."Yes." Came Althea's reply and she disappeared outside the room.Regan ate the remaining unknown burger and she had to admit that Althea cooked very well.