My eyes shot open and I immediately sit up. Big mistake. My sudden movement makes my head dizzy with it's much needed blood flow. I lie down again.
The ceiling is high and white. Looks like I lived unless this is what afterlife looks like. I look around the room. Wasn't I supposed to be in some kind of cell? If cells were like this then everyone would commit crimes to spend their days here.
It is neat and clean. Walls are painted in a soft creme color and the wooden furniture look rather fitting.
I get up and walk towards to the door. I twist the circular knob. It twists smoothly, but doesn't open the door. There goes my last string of sanity.
"Let me out, let me out, LET ME OUT!" I bang on the door with all my might. Like they are gonna let me out, what an idea. Yet I find myself wasting all my strength on the door. My voice soon turns harsh.
To my relief, I hear a faint click on the other side of the door. I back a little and a head peeks from the slit.
"Hello there, beauty," she opens the door and slips in. To my dismay, I watch the door close again. She stands there against it.
"I can explain. It was not my intention to trespass illegally." I say. I don't think screaming and crying would get me out of the well. I would rather talk this out.
The woman smiles, "Of course it isn't. You might be the greatest mystery this world has ever witnessed." Where did I hear this voice? Oh, it was her in the room, wasn't it?
She says 'this world'. Does that mean that she knows about my odd circumstances?
"You have quiet the odd eyes." she leans closer to me and I step aside. Oh, please. Before her, I am as well as a beggar in tattered clothes.
She has fiery red hair. I once saw a model with this hair color. But hers look more natural and real. Two locks from each side of her face cascades down to her waist while the rest of hair is cut down till her chin. She comes closer to me again and I can see my stunned reflection in her black eyes.
"They have a prussian blue shade. What is your eye code? I bet they had to spend days to find it."
I heard some say that to me. My eyes are not exactly black. They are rather a mix of black and dark blue. Judging by the fact that this world is different from mine, the definition of normal should also be different.
"When will you let me go?" I ask.
"You are incredibly calm. The mansion in on a hyper mode." she snickers looking at the blank wall. There were no window. But strangely, the room doesn't lack any lighting system. There are no bulbs or switches.
"Oh by the way, I am Rosemary," she walks to the big blank wall, "Rosemary Luveille." She touches a part of it and the wall suddenly turns crystal clear.
Suddenly exposed to the brightness, I pull out my arm over my eyes. Gradually the brightness dulls down.
She mumbles to herself if it was too bright or something. What an incredible window! I can see the outside like there is no window at all. Even the soft breez and the twittering of the birds can be here. Wait, is there any glass at all?
I answer her previous question, "I am Juniper. Juniper Kite" I deliberately change the last name into my father's last name. So, technically I am not lying.
"Juniper, huh?"
"Yes," I eye the door. The door probably isn't locked. I didn't hear her do it, atleast. Which means one thing.
"Judging from your continuous stunned expressions and flabbergasted looks, you are not familiar with magic are you?"
"Magic?" I lost count already. How many more times do I have to be surprised? But I think I am starting to realise that this place does not match in any way with the world I grew up.
"So, you aren't." she looks amused which makes me uncomfortable, "There is a possibility then."
She mumbles to herself and I take this chance. I sprint towards the door. It is closer to me and further from her because of her movement. This is an advantage. She won't be able to catch me.
The knob comes in contract to my fingertips.
Amongst the eye-buzzing sound of my heart, I hear a distant voice.
<>
I only gripped the metal when I am yanked away. The air around me changes, just like it changed when the pinky shoved me without touching. I look down and gasp. How am I floating? Is this the magic?
"It's only 2nd language spell. I am sure you will get a hold on it in no time. I mean, you have to master the first three language to become a proper connector anyways."
"Can you explain things in a way I can understand?" I say while trying to maintain a balance. It is slippery like I will fall. But I am not falling. Somehow that is even more frustrating.
"Try to relax will you?" Rosemary muses. She leans on the wall. I think of lying on a bed. This makes my body less fidgety.
"So you were here!" The familiar voice shouts. I peek from my side in an awkward floating position "Why is she up?"
"I was showing her how we cast spells."
I watch the siblings from above. Thank God I wore pants.
"Why do you need to show her?" he scoffs, "Did she lose her memory or something?"
"Even better," A wild look shades over her onyx eyes, "She is from another earth."
"WHAT?" He shouts again. I think all I heard him do today was just shout and shout.
<>
The hard wind that was supporting me up in the air gradually vanishes. My feet touch the carpeted floor and I am once again standing after a thrilling experience.
"They exist?" I look at the pink eyed man. Mr. Luveille. I should keep my thoughts in check lest they should read my mind. Can they even do that? Why am I even so calm about the situation, again?
"She is the proof," Rosemary points her hand in my direction. Both looks at me. Their eyes are awfully readable. I clear my voice.
"Where I am from, they definitely don't have any magic power that Rosemary just used to heft me up to the ceiling."
Rosemary snaps her fingers.
"Uh-huh? You were saying?"
"She could be lying. She can even understand Roran!"
"I am not." I sigh, I am now really regretting my decision, "Look, I am really sorry for everything. Let me just go back. I swear I won't talk about it to anyone." I practically beg them. Both of them stare at me in silence. For the first time since my arrival, I see Pinky, no, Mr.Luveille's eye soften.
He brings his hands to his face and massages it. I look at Rosemary and she is deep in her thoughts.
"Well?" I hope they let me leave. This is enough surprise for a day. I grew up without magic shit. So I better live the rest of my life without it. Though, I must say, it looks very temptingly interesting.
"I am sorry, Juniper," Rosemary finally opens her mouth, "But we can't let you leave yet."
As I take in those words, I can feel a fear of uncertainty building up inside me.
Why did I try that spell, again?