to earth than usual. Disoriented from the quick passage of time, Freya tries to determine exactly how late she is for her

ear her. The footsteps draw closer, still behind the barrier of trees. Freya quiets her

of the trees rustle and a tall, human-like silhouette appears. Freya jumps to her feet, letting out a scream as she starts running. Forgetting

rt as the pounding footsteps grow fainter. She cuts into a line of trees, ducking behind th

ickets, the skittering of nocturnal animals, and leftover noise from the city right outside the garden? The thick darkness blooms around her and th

ively, s

alls forward as she abruptly stops. The sight of a dark figure looming in front of her, blocking her only way to safet

r as she turns her head. A second towering figure silently inches their way toward her. She’s trapped. She desperately search

arm with an iron grip wraps around her, pinning her arms at her side. She tries to twist out of it,

ches as the second dark figure vanishes and appears in front of her. Shadows hide his face as a heavy mist flows over her, causing her thoughts to b

__

looked like they were breathing. Her mind plays catch up as she looks around the unfamiliar surroundings in the dark. She jolts

asts an eerie shadow as she studies the massive room that is no doubt bigger

draining to her face as she looks out the endless night. Nothing, she sees nothing. Even when she looks down, all she sees is an empty abyss with no ends

the panic, the dread that now consumes her deep down inside her. She looks around the room, searching for an answer. Even a clue to where she is. The style of the room is nothing like she’d seen. The stone walls, a

ide from whoever is at the other side of the door. The thought of the gleaming red hair, the face of the stranger.

ping through the window. The door creaks open and she hears light footsteps enter the room. And then they s

e out from wherever you’re hiding.” Freya doesn’t dare move. The sweet v

the curtain, tensing as she looks at the woman who is smiling at Freya. The first thing Freya notices is that she’s beautiful. Her small stature is

anding voice, “Where am I?

into a more casual tone instead of nurturing, “I can answer them, if

if you tell me what you want w

or the first time, Freya notices the stack of dresses in her hand. A long white linen garment with an emerald green bodice and a light brown skirt. Re

ps near the fireplace. Giving Freya space to grab the dress without walking too close to her. Either this is some elaborate plan built on manipulation, or a

her and the strange woman. Before she undresses, she hears the door slam into the heavy stone. And then, a

el the rage radiating off of her at the sight of him casually leaning against her door frame. For the first time, she notices his face. His straight nose and piercing green eyes, similar to her own.

roam over her. “You look terrible.” Sh

u chase someone,” Freya says

man, her bright eyes narrowing, “What did you do? I though

ive shrug, “The

er me. They’re talking like she’s not even there, like she

ya says. Each word drips wit

nders her request, debating it in his mind. “Yeah, that’s not going to happen. I

s voice is sharp, no doubt a warning to her. She wonders what they would do if she tried, causing a shudder to run through he

ys, “If I go to dinner, yo

one bit. But she nods, at least it's a start. His attention back on Lilli, “Make sure she bathes before

ys hidden passageways linking different rooms. This one seems to lead to a bathroom with no other way out. The elegant bathtub is the focal point of the r

, relishing in both washing off the dirt and that she’s making them wait. In that moment, Freya decides she’s not goi