Bk 2: Chapter Four (6)

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Lizzy found herself walking through a dark hallway. Panic rushed through her veins, but she forced herself to keep still. She looked around at walls that seemed never-ending, fading into nothing. She still felt she was wearing a veil but her vision was clear and unobstructed. She touched her veil to confirm it still draped over her head, only then did she continue on. She soon found herself before black tall doors. The door seemed as endlessly tall as the walls around. For a second, she felt as though the door would be heavy, but it moved with the slightest push.

She walked into a cold room. The walls were just as tall and the ceiling could not be seen. Looking at the design of this room, it was a grand bedroom. She looked around slowly, trying to determine where she was. She looked at the dress in the corner laced intricately in dark grey and sighed. The things the people of this world did with lace were beyond what could be seen back at home.

She moved towards it and caressed its woven threads in wonder. For a second, she lost her mind, only to be reminded that she was in an unknown place. Taking her hand off the dress, she rushed for the door on the other side of the room and ran through it. The moment her foot stepped out the door, she felt a weight descend on her. For some reason, her body felt heavier. Looking down at her body she found she was wearing that dress she had just been admiring. Suddenly, it occurred to her that this might be a dream.

The thought of this calmed her mind, but she was still on the lookout. The doors to the left and right, no matter which she opened, a large bathroom and closet were all she saw. She started to panic, and ran back into the bedroom and back through the door she came. The door opened, but there was no more dark hallway before her eyes. Instead, a courtyard took its place.

Taking in a deep breath to calm herself, she crossed the courtyard to where a sedan chair was waiting for her. Finally, she saw people, but they did not answer her no matter how much she called. They only opened the sedan chair and waited for her to enter.

At this, she scoffed. How could she just enter to be taken where she did not know? The people before her all wore masks, making her slightly uncomfortable. She moved around them to the other side and broke into a run. She soon tired out and stopped for a breath. This dream was a bit too real! She complained in her mind. She looked back to see the sedan chair she had thought she left behind a while ago, by the corner. Those beside it opened the door again and she cussed and marched for it. She sat inside without care and felt it be picked up. She looked out through the little window and found they were moving at an incredible speed. If she had not looked out she would not have known, as the sedan chair didn't rock around.

She felt them place the chair back down before the door opened. She stepped out one foot at a time, her lace-crested shoes gracing stone floors. This place seemed darker than where they had been before and the courtyard much grander. She looked round at the masked people, before moving ahead. She passed odd scary plants before she stopped before the large dark door for a moment, and then pushed it open. She was met with a study. Walls of shelves to one side, a sitting room to one side and to the other, she turned to meet a dark figure, and her entire body froze in place.

The Nether lord, dressed as before was seated before a table, his mask slightly tilted as he concentrated on what he was writing.

He looked up right at that moment to meet her eyes through her veil and Lizzy immediately found herself shooting up from her bed the next second. Panting as her chest heaved; she looked around her sleeping cabin. The sound of a train running through its tracks sounded through the slightly cracked window. She looked to the other bed at her lady, soundly sleeping and forced herself to relax and lie back down. Now awake, she could not more dare to sleep. Unknown to her, that Helen too had been awoken by her, staying silent at her maid's behaviour; words lost to her.