Magic_8

I saw a blinding light. I ran to the light but the more I ran tirelessly the further it went. I mindlessly ran for I don't know how long until I touched the tip of the milky light, suddenly I was swallowed by the brightness. I shut my eyes for a few seconds and then I was in a rural area, where trees towered over me and rivers ran audibly nearby. There seemed to be a very small cottage, upon entering I could see the bed in the far corner of the single room which made up this cottage. Mom was in the corner of the bed huddled up on the bed, shaking.

I was confused and quivering, was I dead? Or was I dreaming? But then I realised the tap was running supposedly, yet the water was frozen mid air. Everything to the flowing stream in the window, to the nearby flying bird in the sky, all on some type of indefinite pause.

I rushed to her, cradling her head in my arms while tears streamed down my face. But the strangest thing was that no tears came out. I felt sad, but it was like the tears were trapped inside my eyeballs. I shook my mom, trying to talk to her, but she was silent. She didn't even blink, as if she were dead or frozen like a lifeless doll. Then I remembered the words, the only thing that seemed to make sense at that moment: "Centrao, Mexcde, Efia-kranzo!"

Her pale face blinked, and suddenly color and life returned to her. She no longer looked frozen, like a popsicle about to shatter. She gazed at me and whispered, "Irene, they're coming for you. I saw it in my nightmares." I couldn't fully grasp what she meant by 'they,' but it didn't matter. All that mattered was having my mom awake and safe in the real world, wherever that was.

"Mom, come on, we need to find a way out of here. We have to go, Mom, w—"

Out of nowhere, my mom's grip on me tightened. She was shaking, her voice urgent and desperate as she managed to say, "You don't understand, Irene! You're in danger! They'll be here soon, in five weeks. And when they come, I want you to remember... **... **...***.....******....."

The beeping noises started again, a relentless cacophony that seemed to pierce through me. It hurt. A lot. I wanted it to stop, but it just kept echoing...

Then, just as abruptly, I found myself awake with Julian looking at me with concern in his weary eyes. "Hey, are you okay? You just woke up... you fell asleep. By the way, you look really pale."

As I recalled my mom's words, I could feel the color draining from my face. What on earth was she saying? It sounded like the ramblings of a madwoman. What did she mean?

Confusion swirled inside me. I checked the clock and realized 20 minutes had passed, even though it felt like an eternity in that strange place. It made no sense.

I turned to look at my mom. Her eyelashes fluttered, and I held my breath. Slowly, she opened her eyes, her beautiful green eyes that seemed so normal and healthy. Julian's joyful shouts filled the air as we celebrated.

Yet, amid the happiness, an unsettling feeling washed over me. It was like someone had pushed me into deep water, and suddenly, I was back on the school field where students were talking excitedly about their teleportation experiences. My time had run out. Just when I wanted to be with my mom, now awake, I was stuck here. Miss Dilica confirmed that we couldn't return to the same location. I decided I'd visit my mom after school.

Girls were appearing all around me, their chatter filling the air as they recounted their 30 minute adventures. But I was preoccupied with worry for my mom. Was she okay?

Despite the worry, I felt a strange mix of anticipation and apprehension as I waited in line. Was it my mind or my heart that chose where to go next? Malkaya said her goodbyes, transforming into a swirl of glittery particles. I looked at the sweet before me, picked it up, and placed it in my mouth focusing on an image in my mind. It had a sour yet sweet taste, and as it melted, I felt a strange numbness before everything shifted...

Wind brushed against my skin, and I found myself standing at Sunset Island Beach, a serene and calming place—the place I was born.

It was as empty as always. This beach was off-limits to everyone except me. It was a haven, a place that held a fragment of magic, a rarity in Exylus. Magic was scarce, nearly extinct, and outlawed. This island held a precious bit of magic known as exnology, a blend of magic and technology.

Magic existed in various forms, ancient and mostly lost to the clutches of evil. The good had managed to reclaim some, but in the process, most of the world's magic had been depleted. My parents had told me stories about magic, and even though I hadn't actively sought it, its presence always comforted me, as if my parents were watching over me.

This place was closed because it held something special within it ....magic, in Exylus magic was nearly extinct people would kill eachother to get even a little magic. Magic was also illegal. This Island held a quite small portion of magic, exnology (technology for Exylians).

Magic comes in all types of forms and objects, it was ancient and had perished into the hands of evil. However good managed to take it back. But by doing that they drained nearly all the magic left on our planet, leaving magic to be spread all across the world. My parents came to this island and they told me all about magic I never seeked magic but always felt the comfort of my parents watching me whenever I saw it.

I skimmed the waters surface as it rippled at my sudden touch, and I frowned remembering memories of my mum and what had happened it made no sense. I tried to dismiss it from my mind, as I suddenly noticed a reflection in the water of a boy a handsome face with palest porcelain white skin I had ever seen. The guy was walking towards me so I turned around to see.....

Nothing!

Was my mind playing tricks on me? As I turned to face the water again, the boy was suddenly about 2 inches away from my face. I stumbled back, bewildered. How on earth did he get onto this island? Who the heck was he? I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Did he even know that this island had magic?

It dawned on me that he was remarkably handsome, but I didn't dwell on it for long. Boys and their looks never really caught my attention. However, his eyes were different. They captivated me. They held the most exquisite colors—a cold white with delicate blue lines stretching from his dark black pupil.

Without thinking, I blurted out, "Wow, your eyes... I mean, seriously, how did you get here? And who are you?" He leaned back and offered a smile, responding, "I have no idea where I am, little girl. I woke up looking for another Exylian being. Looks like I've found one." I studied him. As he stood up, it became apparent that he was quite tall, probably around 6'0". I was only 5'5", but that didn't make me a little girl. I was 16, after all.

He chuckled at my annoyed expression, which only fueled my frustration. My anger surged as I bellowed in an intimidating tone, "Listen here, 'little' boy. You can't just claim you have no idea where you are. So, what's your purpose? And who told you about the magic?" My rant was interrupted by his sudden words.

"First of all, I am not little," he said, looming over me. "Secondly, I'm not here for magic. I can't explain it, but I feel a strong connection to this place. I just woke up here, so don't blame me... and I promise, I'm not lying."

I exploded, "Who are you? And how the... did you get on this island?!" Then my eyes caught something—the bracelet. It was green with a white diamond on the surface. "No way!" I thought to myself. My parents had given it only to those they trusted. My father had said to trust anyone wearing it. They were good people, and if they needed help, I should offer it no matter the circumstances. But still, I needed to calm down. He wasn't a threat—I guess. But still I couldn't just trust anyone blindy.

Then he did the most infuriating thing—put his arm on my head. Without hesitation, I unleashed a swift kick which he swiftly blocked grabbing my ankle, performing a backflip releasing my ankle, before ending up with his head in a headlock. Though he was taken aback by my sudden skills I definitely won this battle. Surprisingly, he didn't react. He didn't make a sound or even flinch.

Suddenly, he lifted my arm with ease, breaking my hold, and threw me to the ground. But it seemed more like a default retaliation by his expression.

He stood over me, and as I groaned in pain, I noticed the guilt in his expression as he scratched his head. We locked eyes, both breathless. He spoke, his voice breathy, "Ey... that's not a nice way to welcome a guest." A glint of amusement sparkled in his eyes. I pushed him away and stormed off, embarrassed and irritated. My purple hair was all over my face, as I quickly smoothed it down as I got up and started speed walking away.

To my surprise, he chased after me like some lost child, as I sprinted away. Abruptly stopping, I turned to face him, my hands on my hips, irritation clear in my voice.

"What the hell do you want, you crazy guy?!"