THE STRANGE DRAWINGS

Running through the waterways of the woods, the blues, and white lace amid the earthy hue and the dance of the green, her bare feet padded at a fast pace, following the woodwind instrument's notes swimming through its tootles going through her cerebral cortex like a wakeful dream.

Though the notes felt relaxing, enabling the song to call to her entire being she for some reason didn't know the reason for her heart's fast beatings. She was very much aware it was not because of her constant run after the flute but some other reason. It was a disturbing feeling. Whatever it is she built up herself to face it. But, her feet came to a hold. Just like in her dream. It turned out to be the same surroundings. The same strange wobbly thing was in front of her, but she was pretty good steps away from the thing unlike in her dream.

She took side steps, trying to figure out how long the wobbly wall continued.

"Seems like there's no end, and befallen into this situation, I guess I have no chance but to face it," she sighed and looked around. Spotting a long stick lying on the floor, she bent and clutched the end of it using both of her hands and walked toward the wobbly wall, "Just a try won't do any harm, right?" she whispered and pushed the long stick through the wall with her shaky hands. The long stick went in as if there was no end. She took a step back in an attempt to retreat the stick and just like that, she was able to do it with not any hiccups.

A loud gasp left her lips, "If what I think was right... does that m-mean... this thing here is a p-portal?" she thought out loud and another gasp left, "Which means there's something on the other side... And if this sticks able to retreat then..." A light grin formed on her lips with excitement.

Searching for some strong roots she entwined the roots using tight knots and tied one of the ends around a nearby big tree. Right after that, she took the other end and tied it around her waist, making sure the rope didn't come off her.

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Tapping his long index fingers on the table continuously, Astrel gazed at the glass ball in front of him, a smirk etched on his lips while the witch continued to make portions stirring her large pot as she not only had her focus on it but the things happening on the other side.

All of a sudden, she heard a loud chuckle from behind. As she glanced behind she was amazed to witness the cold guy's expression which was new to her.

"What the hell does she think she's doing?" he exclaimed with a question. Not soon, his expression died down, sensing the gaze of the witch.

"Spring's yet to melt the ice," she remarked, hinting at his changes. Astrel rolled his eyes and returned his gaze to the glass ball.

"I'm off... She's entered," he said shortly and stood straight and walked out of the witch's hut.

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Vilian walked toward the portal, but before she could step in she was pushed by a force right into the portal, kissing the ground. She opened her eyes with hardly thudding heartbeats and saw herself on the green grass. She pushed herself up onto her feet and stood straight as she brushed off the dust only to freeze in her movements observing her clothes which turned out to be the clothes she had worn last night.

"What-" she heard someone clapping their hands with loud chuckles. Familiar chuckles. She looked around desperately.

"Looking for me, dear?"

"Ahh!" she screamed, not expecting him to come right behind her. She turned around only to yelp out, feeling her hair being pulled out, "Ouch! Ouch! Uff!!! Let my hair go, you devil... Arghh!!" she screamed trying to pull her hair.

"Calm down, kitty... Calm down," he said, patting her head thrice and sliding his hands down to her cheek from behind. Vilian turned around in an attempt to take off his hands but got pulled right onto his body.

"What do you think you are doing with my hair?!" she yelled and glared.

Astrel gazed right into her eyes and came forward, "I bet you wouldn't mind losing little strands from your head, do you?" Vilian glanced beside and lowed her glare, biting her lips as she regretted scolding him. He unhooked her hair off his cuff link. Not once did he take his eyes off her.

"Is this a dream?" she questioned breathily. Astrel's smirk broadened than it already was.

"You dream of me? How much of a naughty little kitty, you are?"

Vilian felt her heart skip its beats, not being able to hold onto his piercing gaze, "No!! That's not true!" she yelled as her heart pounded fast, heating her cheeks. Well, she did dream of him once... or maybe twice, but that was not the case here, she thought. Astrel smirked as he stepped back, breaking their eye contact, and turned around and walked away from her.

Vilian shooked her head and ran behind him, screaming out loud, "Wait up! Hey!! At least, lemme know where I am..." she ran past her and stood blocking his way with a pout. Astrel gave an annoyed look down at her.

"Isn't it obvious?" he questioned, brushing his hair behind.

Vilian's gaze followed his actions, "Forest?"

"You've got the answer," Astrel patted her shoulder and pushed her aside.

"You know that's not what I meant!" Vilian held his wrist before he could take a step past her. Her fingers could bearly hold onto his large wrist. He hummed and took hold of her wrist that held his with his other hand. Vilian tried to swat it away, but he dragged her along with him stepping over the pebble path. Her gaze swept past his figure and settled right onto the strange hut standing in front of them.

'Who in the name of molly would live in here?' she thought as she gazed around the strange hut and then at the large hand that held her wrist. She felt like a kid being led by their father. The thought brought out chuckles. She muffled as she sensed his gaze on her.

The door to the little hut opened. Vilian expectantly waited for the person to whom the hut belonged to pop out but Astrel let go of her wrist and pushed her into the hut following her from behind. She curiously looked at everything wide-eyed.

A warm earthy smell kicked into her senses, giving her a peculiar feeling as she stepped into the little house made up of wood. It seemed to look centuries old when glanced from out but the interior looked way contrasted to it. The floor swirled like driftwood on the beach with the same softness new wood never has. The varnish that trapped its moisture must have been gone two decades previously, maybe more, just tiny fragments remaining here and there. She gazed around with an open mouth under the dimly lit candles, not a window could be seen. It was more like the house was meant to be dark. But what caught her attention was the little thin glass vials filled to their brim colorfully and shut using thick corks.

Her feet padded over the wooden floor toward the wooden large table as she observed the various types of strange things displayed. She saw the Moon signs carved on the table beautifully and the strange drawings all over the wall in a different language. Out of habit, she ran her fingers over the carvings and the strange drawings.

"I must warn you not to poke your hands on whichever you see," Vilian jolted, hearing a feminine voice startling her.