Strange and Otherworldly

It felt like being an inmate in an asylum, trapped within the confines of a solitary cell, surrounded by six walls of unyielding whiteness.

I had been fixated on the sight before me for what seemed like an eternity: a unicorn standing in front of me. Yes, a freaking unicorn.

In any other circumstance, encountering a unicorn might have seemed like a magical dream straight out of the fairy tales I read as a child. But this unicorn was far from the whimsical creatures depicted in those stories.

There was no rainbow tail, no bright aura that made children giggle with delight. Instead, the massive creature before me was dark, muscular, and imposing. Its black, glassy eyes bore into me, as if hurling daggers of scrutiny, leaving me bewildered as to why I had drawn its attention.

After minutes of silent staring, a headache suddenly pulsed through my skull.

I found it impossible to sleep. The events of last night weighed heavily on my mind. Alexa had delivered a stern lecture on the dos and don'ts of survival in this treacherous realm. It was a harsh reminder that my reckless actions had bordered on stupidity.

The forest wasn't just dangerous because of its wild animals. It was also home to creatures that saw me as their ultimate prey. Coupled with the magic permeating the air and the other frightening beings that roamed the night, I couldn't help but understand why venturing out alone had been a grave mistake. How could I have known any better?

Despite the events that transpired, I couldn't bring myself to blame me. I felt justified in my actions. In my defense, it seemed like the most logical course of action at the time.

After all, those humanlike creatures could have posed a greater threat than anything else in this harsh world.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips. All I truly desired was to return home. I yearned to reunite with my uncle, aunt, and Elizabeth. I missed them more than I could even remember at this point.

But did they miss me too? Did they ever think of me, even fleetingly? Were they searching for me? These thoughts plagued my mind, leaving me feeling more alone than ever before.

With a silent resolve, I wiped away the tears that had pooled in my weary eyes. I knew that letting myself succumb to sadness and loneliness would only weaken me further, and I refused to let that happen.

I had to gather my strength and find a way out of this world, no matter where I was or what obstacles lay in my path. It was time to get my act together and take control of my destiny.

With unwavering determination, I vowed never to give up, no matter what challenges lay ahead. Even though the creatures here hadn't harmed me as I'd feared, I knew I couldn't afford to linger any longer in this place of insanity.

Monsters lurked around every corner, and I had no means to survive or defend myself. If I stayed here, I would surely lose my sanity. I had to find a way back home, no matter the cost.

As I surveyed the area where I currently resided, doubts crept into my mind. Alexa had mentioned that we were in a garden inside the castle, but this place didn't match my idea of what a garden should be.

In my world, namely Earth, gardens were filled with vibrant flowers and lush greenery, but here, the woods were dry and the leaves long dead, giving the place the appearance of a cemetery or a deserted town rather than a garden.

Perhaps this was their definition of a garden, but I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Everything about this place seemed strange and otherworldly, from the moving stairs to the eerie atmosphere that surrounded me. 

Alexa appeared out of nowhere and greeted me with a question. "Are you ready?" she asked, tossing a blue cloak in my direction.

I rose from the wooden bench where I had been sitting and caught the cloak, her words echoing in my mind.

"Wear it," she added, her attention focused on some strange food she had laid out nearby, which only served to make my stomach growl louder.

It was early morning, the sun just beginning to rise in the corner of the sky. The pinkish-blue hue was partly obscured by clouds, hinting at the possibility of rain.

I adjusted the pastel-colored inner dress that Alexa had provided me with earlier and then stacked the cloak on top of it. Surprisingly, the cloak fit me perfectly, though it felt warm and heavy. I didn't dare to protest or say anything.

After last night's events, I was too scared to give them any more reason to be wary of me. So, I simply followed their instructions obediently.

Alexa informed me, "We will teleport halfway to our destination, but we'll have to travel the rest of the way on foot. They might notice us if we teleport directly to our destination." She sighed, adding, "I'm afraid my mastery of witchcraft isn't potent enough yet to conceal the essence of my powers, so I couldn't hide them completely. I'm sorry."

I simply nodded, though I had many questions swirling in my mind.

I followed Alexa as she led the way to the spherical portal she had conjured moments ago. Each time she wielded her magical prowess, I couldn't help but feel astounded. Even though I had witnessed these feats several times now, the fact that I was in a different world still filled me with disbelief.

Coldness washed over me as I stepped into the circle. Suddenly, the whole place brightened blindingly, and I could only see whiteness—a reverse of blindness.

Then instantly, darkness emerged. Total darkness enveloped me, cold and unbearable. After a few agonizing seconds, another light, warm and comforting, appeared. The moment my eyes adjusted, I nearly caught my own heart in surprise.

I found myself at the edge of a freaking cliff.