CHAPTER 02

I stared at the stranger for a couple of seconds, speechless. No thoughts even came to my mind since the whole situation confused me, because of the lack of knowledge to figure out what was going on, but questions.

Do I have to scream and ask for help? No, it's not my way.

How the hell does he come here?

I was pretty sure about that the main door was locked.

And why was he standing right next to me silently? Why my room? My mum's room even there before mine.

So many questions were running through my mind, but no words coming out of me.

Who's this?? From where?? For what he came here??

"Ms. Reed, come with me," he whispered, breaking the silence. A male voice... obviously he was a man over fifty, I guessed.

But what the hell? Does he see me like an idiot to go with a stranger?

I looked behind and found a solid steel bolt which I used to keep on my papers. I grabbed it quickly to throw at him, but the sudden appearance of Ethan between me and the stranger stopped me.

"Ellie, not this time. Just come," He stated. Even though I trust him, I did not know why he did that.

Does he know what is going on?

"But why Ethan?? I need an explanation," I reported, closing the door to come out.

"Not now, you trust me??" He asked.

"Of course, I do," I responded.

"Then come"

Both went down through a staircase to the hall. It was completely dark with silent air. They, too, walked along without breaking the calmness in the air, and I followed them.

Opening the door, three of us got outside and walked away from our home until it became out of our sight.

The moonlight has already lightened up the dark surrounding, and it helped me to see clearly. Then I saw the stranger was holding a thick stick which is around six feet long. But the eye-catching thing was the uncommon design at the top of the stick, a mouth-opened dragon.

Mumbling some incoherent words, he pointed to the stick in front of us which had already given beautiful blue light from the mouth of the dragon. The blue light created a circular portal that seemed like an entrance to another world.

The stranger and Ethan were the first to walk in, as I was standing still in the same place. Ethan looked at me and gestured his hand to come. I followed him without a word, still trusting his words. It was really amazing walking through the portal, but it made my head spin for a moment.

In the next moment, we were standing in a whole different place. Not a place. A world was the correct word, I thought.

I guessed it was morning, the time of sun rises. My eyes already scanned the surroundings. There were luxury houses and small shops, and not to forget the biodiversity, which was extremely beautiful.

The trees at both sides of the road, and humming music of insects and birds' chirping added more beauty to nature. The place was really attractive. But to me, it felt like I had been here before. Actually, I had in my dreams.

I'd seen this place in my dreams quite several times. Though I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to tell them about it. I thought it was not useful at all. The Stranger turned to me and Ethan.

"Ethan, take your sister to home. I appoint you as her guardian." The stranger said. "You need to teach her how to control her powers. You know if it is not, how dangerous it can be"

"Which powers?" I asked, raising my eyebrow confusingly.

"You will be revealed everything soon, Eleazar," he replied.

"It's Eleanor," I corrected him angrily. He cannot mispronounce my name. "So, can I know who you are?"

I asked straight away as he uncovered his hood, revealing himself. He was an old man as I guessed, with long white hair, and a long beard which was picked to pigtail down. He gave me a warm smile, but I didn't reciprocate. Because, I had no deal with strangers who don't reveal themselves properly.

"Take her, Ethan, and teach her everything." He laughed. "She's stubborn, but never thought she's stubborn this much"

"Nonsense," I muttered angrily.

"Don't be so rude, Ellie," Ethan remarked as this old fellow walked off from us. I rolled my eyes, and he tilted his head to both sides. "You never learn a lesson"

Ethan and I walked around five minutes without being noisy. I know he was not happy about the way I behaved. But I really didn't like to solve mysterious problems. I was not a detective.

Finally, we arrived at a house. My eyes went wide seeing the house, since it was a really attractive two-story building. It wasn't a big house, but bigger enough for two or three people to live.

The surface of the walls was wooden. Ethan took the keys out of his pockets before going to the door. I followed him. As I was standing next to him, I curiously touched the walls.

Then only I realized my assumption was wrong. Even though it seemed like a wooden house, the surface feels like they had built it from stone.

Both entered the house, and Ethan closed the door behind him. I looked around to observe our new place.

The visiting room was there on the right side of me, where there was a couch with a coffee table and a TV. The carpet was dark red, which had pretty black floral decorations.

And the kitchen was there on the left side of me with an attached dining room. I noticed there was another door next to the kitchen. I walked towards there and opened the door, revealing a single bed and a couch. There was another door inside the bedroom, which I guessed it could be an attached bathroom.

"That's the guest room," Ethan stated, as I closed the door before turning to him.

"I love this place," I exclaimed, forgetting that I was not at home.

"Hey ma'am, it's 8 in the morning." Ethan added. "I think you should rest since you didn't have a proper sleep."

"Can I know everything, Ethan?" I innocently asked. "I really feel like I'm out of my mind"

"Not like Ellie, but you are!! You are always out of your mind." He giggled. "Come, I'll show your room"

We went upstairs, where there were three rooms. Two bedrooms which are mine and Ethan, and another room in which there were several books packed in cupboards like a library.

It was my dream to have a small library in my house one day!

"I know you like books. That's why there is a room like this," Ethan interrupted my thoughts. "Go sleep Ellie. And after, we'll talk about everything."

I nodded and made my way to my room.

There was a queen-sized bed in the middle of the room. In addition, a wardrobe next to the closet which was opposite of the door with a couch, a small table where there was a photograph of my family, also another door. I went to the door and opened it, revealing a well completed bathroom made of white tiles.

I opened the wardrobe and found some of my clothes which I wore in my world. I was curious about how they were here. But my sleepiness was more powerful, not letting me think anymore about my curiosity.

Thus, I took a big t-shirt and a short, long one to my knee with the towel which was hanging on a rack beside the wardrobe before going to have a wash. After cleaning myself well within twenty minutes, I stormed out of the bathroom, falling onto the bed to have a tight slumber.

#

I woke up from my sleep, rubbing my eyes. I looked around but my eyes quickly noticed that the bedroom differed from mine and also my outfit was a nightgown which I never liked to wear.

I got down from the bed before going out of the bedroom, curiously. I strolled downstairs through several stairs, but it confused me seeing a shirtless boy in the kitchen.

He was young like me, looking so smart. He was fair in his complexion, with many tattoos on his bare skin. While I was observing this random man, he suddenly turned to me, giving a gorgeous smile.

He was busy with some cooking utensils, which made me guess he was preparing meals.

Who is this guy?

"Good morning, sweetheart," He greeted with his twinkling gold-brown eyes.

"Good morning!!!!" I gulped. "Who are you?"

"Ellie, are you okay?? I'm your husband," he smiled, shaking his head, like I had a memory loss. "See, I prepared your breakfast. You should have some. Since you are pregnant, it's better to have proper meals"*

As soon as I wrapped the words in my head, I gasped with wide eyes.

What??? Am I pregnant?

I kept my hand on my stomach to clear my doubts, almost gulping. I found soon that he was true, since I felt a slight bump in my belly. I looked at him, seeing he was already busy preparing breakfast.

Honestly, he was such an attractive person to look at. But my problem was how did I get pregnant unknowingly.

If he says he's my husband, then...

I glanced down at my hands where there was a wedding ring on my left ring finger. I removed it and eyed it carefully, which has a beautiful tiny crown. But I noticed there was crafted inside the ring. "Zane ♡ Ellie "

I gasped, but took a breath in and out, calming myself.

"Zane!!!" I mumbled in a doubtful tone, which was enough for him to hear. I really wanted to make sure, is the name of this boy who's pretending as my husband.

"Yes, darling, is everything okay??" I nodded, forcefully smiling, before walking towards the door to get out. I should get out of here and find Ethan. Where was Ethan, and how did I end up here?

With the already confused mind, I opened the door. As soon as I opened it, there was a tall guy who looked old, wearing a black cloak holding a gun. Even though he was wearing the hood, I could see a pale and scary face. But before I could observe him more, he held the gun onto my forehead and shot....

Blackout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My eyes fluttered open, already sweating from the horrible incident I had just encountered. I was dumb since it already scared me to death.

Who is Zane, and who's that guy who shot me?

I sat up on my bed, rubbing my temples. I quickly gulped down the glass of water in one shot, which was on the stool beside the bed.

My nightmares started again. When I was only twelve, I had the same nightmare as a person who shot me to death. I saw it more than twice, after that my dad took me to a psychiatrist since every time, I woke up like this, sweating, and with a horrible look on my face.

The psychiatrist reported the reason for this was; I used to watch so much horror and action movies which made my mind mess up. After that he gave some medicine and I avoided watching those movies for one year. Once I was 13, I watched them again, but I have seen nothing like that in my sleep after that.

"Ellie?? Are you still sleeping?" Ethan knocks on the door twice or thrice.

"Come," I replied weakly, clearing my throat.

As soon as he entered, he noticed I was sweating and holding the glass of water.

"What happened Ellie?? Are you alright?" He asked, rushing towards me sitting on my bed.

I kept the glass on the stool before shaking my head 'no' and hugged him with tearful eyes.

"Hey, what happened, love??" He asked worryingly patting my back.

"I—I h-had a n—nightmare like I had when I was small. I was sh—shot to death, Ethan," I stuttered and sobbed. Even though I was just acting like a brave person, there were certain things I was terrified of.

"Here, listen... It's just a nightmare, ok." He spoke, reassuring me. "I know the reason behind all. Including the nightmares, you had since you were small. Trust me, Ellie. I'll tell you everything ok. Now go wash your face and come down. I've prepared the breakfast. I'll tell you everything"

I pulled myself from him and nodded, acknowledging.

"Go" He planted a kiss on my forehead before leaving me alone.

What's happening to me?? Is this all because of my magic, or things?