"Sister, how is Ella and Aunt Margie after I went away?" Ivy inquired.

Kate released a deep sigh.

"We are worried about you, sis. I volunteered to come here to check on your condition but Aunt Margie insisted that she should be the one to go and boarded the wagon that she rented..."

Ivy covered her mouth with her hands in shock. "Oh no, why would Aunt Margie insisted to go on a long journey which is very tiring?"

"Exactly!" Kate continues her narration as her body shuddered in dread just by remembering them all.

"Aunt Margie went ahead with the journey, but she returned after a few hours because her arthritis is killing her due to the wagon's continuous bouncing motion, it's killing her and she felt nauseated the whole time they were traveling. She simply can't continue with the journey, so I jumped at the chance and she allowed me to take her place.

I finally reached the castle on the hill after three days of traveling. When I arrived at the castle on the hill, I was greeted with an old man who pushed me directly into the pit which is the monsters' dwelling place and I found myself lying in the magical net.

What greeted my eyes beneath the net are the scariest creatures I've seen in my whole life! Then above me are terrifying creatures made of dark shadows like a ghost hovering above me. I dunno which is worse, falling into the pit of hungry monsters or being attacked by the dark shadows? I thought I was gonna die from that moment...

Then suddenly, Granny Esmeralda came to the net and saved me. She brought me into this floating piece of land and I live here ever since.

I have a few scary adventures though. I fall into the forest below and got saved by the centaur king, his grandmother erased my memories, I was supposed to marry the king, but on the night of my wedding, I was kidnapped by the vampires and was taken to their enclave.

Little did I know that you are also captured by the vampires and we're just a few miles from each other. The vampire brothers drank my blood, I was terrified by them. Then Esmeralda came to save me and take me out of the room. The rest is history..." Kate finished her story with a deep sigh.

Ivy closed her eyes and breathed deeply.

She opened her eyes and stared at her sister with tears in her eyes. "You shouldn't come after me, Kate. While I was being held captive in that room, I was praying every day that no one of my sisters should check my condition in the castle because I know that once you will enter this castle, you will never get out alive. Just that I have no way in warning you, I was held a prisoner in the room and a woman vampire was guarding the room all the time. I can't escape that place!" she said with a grieving voice.

Kate felt sad about her sister's flight.

"I felt useless, I can't even warn you of the dangers ahead!" Ivy broke down in front of her sister.

Kate gazed at her sister pitifully. "Sis, please don't blame yourself. You come here to this castle to work. You have no idea what's gonna happen after you entered the door. It's not your fault, so please, don't be too hard on yourself!"

Ivy's tears keep rolling down her face.

Kate rubbed her sister's back gently to comfort her. She allowed her to cry hoping it can make her sister feel relieved after crying a river.

A few minutes later.

Ivy finished crying, she wiped her tear stricken face with the hem of her dress.

"Sis...it's now your turn to tell me what happened after you enter this castle?" Kate asked curiously.

Ivy took a deep breath and recalled what took place after the 100 newly hired help reached the castle.

"We were taken to this dark room one by one, the old man told us that the owner of the castle wanted to interview us so that they can assign us to our designated area in the castle. After that, I no longer have any news on what happened to the other people from the village because after I'm done talking to Maxwell, he took me to a room somewhere and I have no idea what happened next.

Because as I recalled that I seemed to lose consciousness as darkness took over my senses. The next time I open my eyes I was already imprisoned in that room. I stayed in that prison room for as long as I can remember. The only time I was able to get out of that confinement is today when Maxwell finally brought me here to see you..." she concluded.

The sisters were in the middle of their conversation when suddenly the door opened.

Esmeralda entered the house and smiled at the sisters. She joined them on the floor. "So...Ivy...how long do you like to stay here?" she asked looking deeply into her eyes.

Ivy was taken aback by the old woman's question. It comes too soon!

"She would stay with us Granny from now on!" Kate said happily.

"How rude! I asked your older sister, young lady, not you!" Esmeralda reprimanded Kate.

"Okay...sorry...Granny," Kate pouted.

Ivy was lost for words. But she needs to reply because the old woman was waiting for her answer. "Ahm, I would like to talk to my sister about this issue first, Granny," she answered finally.

Esmeralda's brows furrowed in confusion. "Huh? You're still planning to go back to the vampires who imprisoned you?"

Ivy and Kate locked eyes.

"If you want to stay here for good, my house is ready to welcome you anytime. I'm sorry if I kind of rushing you with your decision. I just want you to know that if you stay here. I'll keep you and your sister safe here in my place," Esmeralda smiled pleasantly.

Ivy was feeling grateful for the old woman's offer of protection and safety. "Thank you so much for offering me your house and your protection, Granny. Maxwell gives me ten days to be with my sister. Until then I can't decide yet what to do," she scratched her head looking confused than ever. She looked at the wold woman with pleading eyes. "Granny...c-can I ask you something...?"

"Yes, go ahead, what is it child?" asked Esmeralda.

Ivy took a deep breath. "C-can you take us out of this castle?" she asked holding her breath.

Esmeralda breathed deeply and shook her head. "I'm sorry, child. Once you entered this castle you can't get out alive. That's the rule of this castle and it started centuries ago. Many attempted to get out but as soon their skin touches the deadly invisible barrier, their body starts burning into ashes," she said sadly and regretfully.

Ivy released the sigh that she was holding in her chest. She felt disappointed and sad at the same time that the old woman cannot promise and guarantee her and her sister freedom from this castle.

Esmeralda rose to her feet. "Child, think things wisely and thoroughly..."

"B-but Granny...maybe there still another way to get out of this castle?" Ivy insisted, she had a hard time believing that there is no way out. Maxwell insisted that they can get out of the castle once his father will be resurrected.

If Esmeralda is pessimistic, Maxwell was very optimistic.

Esmeralda shook her head sadly. "Sorry to burst your bubble, child. We can't escape this castle, period. I'm going to continue resting in my bed. I'll leave the two of you to continue your conversation," she said and entered her room and closed the door behind her.

Ivy bit her lip, she has to be optimistic too! She can't give up without trying everything!

Right now...

Between Esmeralda and Maxwell, she had already chosen the one to follow and serve. The only one who can get them out of the castle, guarantee their freedom, and deserving of her loyalty it's no other than Maxwell!