When I finally began to regain consciousness I could vaguely hear a conversation happening nearby. One of the voices sounded oddly familiar. “What have you done….wasn’t….happen yet….idiot...so much trouble….” No wonder that voice sounded so familiar! It’s Ashley! I didn’t hear much else of the conversation though considering the fact that I was waning in and out of consciousness. My hearing keeps flickering in and out as I hear what sounds like footsteps getting closer to me.

As I finally open my eyes, gaining full control over my body I see Ashley sitting next to a girl I don’t know. It’s intriguing and honestly a bit horrifying. One second I’m meeting the girl I was arranged to marry and the next I’m being carried into what I could only assume to be some sort of portal. How did she even open a portal? Is that even scientifically possible? Can anyone open a portal or are there specific requirements needed? Just as I opened my mouth to voice my thoughts Ashley interrupted me.

“Look Thalia,” She started, looking me in the eyes, her own swirling with emotions that I can’t understand.

“ I know that you have a lot of questions to ask and they will all be answered soon, but for now just wait.” She finished, awkwardly patting my hand. What is that even supposed to mean? Obviously my questions will be answered one way or another. I wasn’t going to take no for an answer anyways.

I once again get lost in my thoughts as I suddenly realize that I have no idea where I am. Well of course I wouldn’t know where I am. I mentally facepalm myself sighing quietly. I was taken through a portal. Why would I know where I am? I stop and take a breath, slightly loosening my posture, using this time to look around the room.

My gaze surveys the room I’m in, taking in everything that I can. From the light scent of lemon and anesthetic to the sight of first aid kits and IV bags. It was easy to see that I was in an infirmary of some sort. This room was expansive though. Am I in a hospital? And what exactly happened. And are my parents okay? Oh my gosh, my parents!

“Ashley what happened to my parents!” I screamed wondering if the explosion had hurt my parents, or worse killed them. Better yet, what If the blast hit Peter as well?! I was becoming paranoid and as my mind took me through a whirlwind of emotions I started to hyperventilate. My brain took me from what I thought was worried and scared to horrified and sad thinking about what could’ve happened to them.

Ashley only replied with a short “Like I said everything will be explained in time.”

Why was she so calm? She must’ve had something to do with it considering she carried me away with her right after the bomb went off. I’m beginning to grow apprehensive. Why did she take me with her after the bomb went off? And how is she uninjured?

I have so many questions and she hasn’t answered not one of them. Why is it that I can never seem to get in control of my life? There is always someone or something else controlling me and what I can or can’t do. Why do others know more about my life story than I do?

Am I that weak? Am I so obedient that I will take whatever people give me lying down? I feel worthless and helpless. Why am I such a people pleaser? Why can I never do anything for myself? Why am I like this? Why? Why? Why?

I hate myself.

It’s such a simple sentence and yet it means so much. I’ll never be proud of myself. I’m useless. I haven't accomplished anything in my life. I wish that I could be better. I wish that I could be different. But as much as I want to change, I know that It’s hard. I have no motivation, nothing to live for, and I can rarely even understand my own emotions. Nothing but myself and even then that’s not enough. I stop and take a deep breath to calm down before I try asking Ashley another question.

“Ashley?” I say to her timidly, emotionally drained from my mental breakdown. “Where are we?” I asked considering she hadn’t at least told me where she had taken me. “We are in the realm of Eatithra.” She replied to me with a sarcastic smile on her face. I don’t know why she’s looking at me like that. Did she just forget about the fact that she kidnapped me and brought me here or what? The worst part is, she’s just looking at me like I’m stupid.

“And where exactly is Eatithra?” I ask, smiling just as sarcastically back at her.

“I suppose there are some things you need to know about this realm before we continue.” She replies thoughtfully. Or at least I think that’s what that expression was. Honestly, who knows. I couldn’t care less as long as I get the information I need.

“Unknown to mankind or as we like to call you, humans, there are multiple realms. Humans are not the only life forms to exist. Although, you only think that because other beings like us try to avoid contact with humankind. You see, the realm we are in now is called Eatithra like I said previously. The realm you’ve been living in is the earth realm. And to be quite honest with you it is the least favored of the realms. You humans are all too selfish. So many of you only crave wealth and power and you would break down anyone in your path to get what you want.” She said in contempt.

“If your people hate us so much then why were you in the earth realm?” I asked curiously, although considering the way I got here I think I have a hunch.

“I’m sure you think you’ve got this figured out but trust me you don’t.” She told me as if sensing my thoughts.

“And how would you know that?” I quickly responded, my body locking up in unconscious fear.

“It’s simple. Body language. I’ve been trained to notice these things since I was a child, and you will learn about these things too in due time. For now though, let me tell you more about Eatithra and why I was in the Earth Realm.” I nodded my head giving her the go-ahead to continue giving me information.

“I wasn’t the only one in the earth realm looking for you. And I certainly wasn’t the only one who was stuck watching over you. You see, you’re a very important person and you have some very important people looking for you. And, no offense to you because you’re not that bad, but most of the other humans were terrible.” She said, going off tangent as she continued speaking.

I shook my head, raising my hand like a student to interrupt her. “Why in the world would anyone important from here be looking for me? And how would they even know who I was in the first place?” I ask, curious as to why anyone here would be looking for me let alone even know me.

“I’m afraid I can’t tell you that. And don’t give me that look either. It’s simply not my place to tell you. But beware for they aren’t the only people searching for you. The people who sent me have only good intentions, of this I can assure you. The others not so much, that’s why we had to find you when we did. It was much earlier than planned.” She admitted, looking at me with a sad smile.

“Who was the other person who came to look for me then?” I questioned her.

“Again this is something I can’t tell you. They will come to you in their own time and tell you when you’re ready. There are many pieces in the puzzle of your life that you are missing, but soon they will come together and you will be whole again. For now though, you must wait. There are many things you need to learn and many people you should be wary of. Those who seem to be the most trustworthy are always the ones who will bring you down onto your knees.” She finished, giving me another look before nodding her head to let me know that I could speak.

“If there are oh, so many things you can’t tell me how do you even know about it in the first place?” I ask sarcastically, steeling myself for an answer that I wouldn’t like.

“I am a seer. I see things before anyone even thinks of it. And many times I let these things be and flow through their natural course, but I cannot let this come to pass. I have been alive for longer than you can imagine and have been through countless trials and tribulations of each generation. And while I appear to be around your age, looks can be deceiving.” She says, looking me in the eyes to see any subliminal reactions I may have.

I kept my face blank as I thought about everything she just told me. Did she just say that she’s a seer? Y’know what, I can’t even process any more information right now. I just nod my head at her, letting her know that I had heard everything that she said.

“I’d like to lay back down and get a little more rest if that's alright with you Ashley.” I said feeling too tired to handle any more surprises for the day.

“I wish that I could give you that extra rest but I’m afraid that we don’t have the time. Besides, You’re not exactly awake right now. You’re in a coma right now. For how long, well I can’t say for sure until you’re awake.”She says. I gasp in mortification. This is not how I thought this would go.

“What do you mean I’m in a coma?!” I yell, feeling panicked and irritated by everything I’ve learned.

At this point, she looks just as annoyed as I feel irritated. I was growing vexed so I just stopped asking questions I knew she wouldn’t answer. I guess it’s true that I really do have no control over my life.

Ashley abruptly stood up, making my body jolt in surprise. She walked towards the door and then turned back around tilting her head gesturing for me to get up and follow her. So that’s what

I did. And when she opened the door I got the biggest shock of my life. The door led straight into a large open corridor filled with people bustling around and talking amongst themselves.

Mind you I’m used to being in mansions and large spaces of the same sort but I could tell just from this one hallway that this place is gigantic. I looked at Ashley with my mouth wide open showing my shock at the maybe hundreds of people walking through the hall.

“You might wanna close your mouth Thalia, you haven’t seen anything yet.” She said,56trfdc giving me the promise of bigger and more magnificent things to come.

As we walked down the corridor I tried to take in all of my surroundings. Everyone looks just like humans so it’s intriguing how they could be anything else. Although I guess the term don’t judge a book by its cover would definitely come into play here. Now that I think about it, do they look like humans, or do humans look like them? What? It’s a serious question.

The hallway seemed to go on forever before we came upon a large door. I thought that maybe considering the size of the door it might lead to an important place but I was surprised when Ashley opened the door and I saw a large cafeteria.

Well, I guess lunch is the most important part of the day. Besides, it’s not like I mind, I love food. Ashley grabbed my elbow and pulled me over to the side of the door as people started flooding into the area.

“We’re in a school, aren’t we?” I asked, knowing the answer but wanting confirmation from Ashley.

“Yes, we are. And the only one of its kind. You could call us the protectors of this realm. The headmaster should be coming in soon to explain everything. I told you that you'd get your answers and now you’re going to. Well for the most part anyway. There are other things concerning - things that we must discuss in private.” She replied.

I noticed that she had stuttered in the middle of the sentence. I just nodded to acknowledge that I heard what she said, storing the fact that she stuttered away in the back of my head. I’m happy to know that I’ll be getting my answers but I’m also anxious. I’m nervous. Not knowing what’s going to happen or what’s going to be said is a situation I don’t want to be put in anymore.

Ashley grabbed my arm and walked me towards a table towards the middle of the room. “Everyone must be seated at a table before the headmaster comes in. You’ll be given all the information you’ll need and then be split into groups and taken on a tour of the school grounds.”

Oh, that’s just great. I’ll be put into a group with people I know nothing about. I’m so excited. Can you feel my sarcasm?

Just as she finished saying that the headmaster walked into the room. I swear to goodness I wasn’t expecting what I saw. Not only is the headmaster actually a headmistress but she’s also an older carbon copy of my mystery girl.

Okay now that I’m thinking about it, doesn't the word headmistress sound kind of derogatory towards women. I mean you calling me your first mistress isn’t really flattering. No wonder she goes by headmaster. The real problem is that she has such an uncanny resemblance to my mystery girl to the point that it’s kinda scary.

I’m stupid but not that stupid. I know exactly what this means. One of the other people that were sent after me was my mystery girl. No wonder she came to the shop every day. Is that why Ashley brought me here early? Because I was fired and my mystery girl couldn’t keep her eye on me anymore? But how would she have gotten the news so quickly, it literally just happened?

Okay, this is getting ridiculous. I shouldn’t be so stuck on her. And I still don’t know her name! Then as if someone could hear my thoughts I felt a tingling sensation in my body. I looked around the cafeteria to see what was causing it but I couldn’t find it anymore. It was gone.

Ashley turned her head to look at me and gave me a small smile and a knowing look.

Yeah, there’s definitely something strange going on here. That strange feeling mixed with the headmaster and the knowing look that Ashley sent me. But what is it? And has my mystery girl come back here after seeing me get fired. I really need to know.

Finally, the Headmaster began to speak.

“Welcome students, to the start of the rest of your lives.”