I asked for a sign, but how can I be sure this is it?

I wandered the forest and the fields since I was a child and never stumbled upon such thing as this.

I’ve always felt connected in a strange way to nature.

I always ask the Gods, the nature, anyone that’s out there and willing to listen, for help. To guide me, show me a path.

Maybe this is some sort of sign.

With autumn setting in, flowers died and disappeared, the green grass is dried and brown now, and no one comes here anymore.

I’m alone, but oddly, I feel like something or someone is out there.

Watching me.

Always.

I feel a sense of protection in this clearing.

The wind makes my cape move behind me in an herratic dance and chills run through my body.

This field was full of life all summer and now it’s left deserted and devoid of any emotion. Looking around me, the resemblance with my own thoughts, strikes me with such power that I feel like crunbling under its force.

Nature is the mirror of my soul.

I was chosen.

At least, that’s what my parents say. What everyone says.

I don’t feel special; I never did.

Can I trust my own eyes, when they have deceived me in the past? Can I trust my thoughts?

A few feet in front of me, a giant purple cloud, glowing. It’s calling to me. Whispering for me to come closer.

Have I lost my mind?

Is it all just my imagination?

I look back and the imposing castle overlooks the field and the forest. My home. Although, the castle never felt like home for me, more of a prison.

They tried to keep me there— away from nature. Away from the outside world. They never succeeded. The calling was too strong. There was never anything that could stop me from getting out.

Today, I wasn’t supposed to leave. I wasn’t supposed to be here. Yet, something called to me, guided me here. Maybe I really an insane and that’s why they want me locked me up. But would a crazy person be able to think they’re not normal? Probably not.

A loud cracking noise startles me and I jump back, while putting my right hand over my heart, in a futile attempt to calm down.

‘_Come! Don’t be afraid_!’

The cloud has spoken.

A sense of warmth and comfort engulfs me despite the low temperature.

My legs move to their own accord until I’m standing right in front of the purple, sparkling mass. The small hairs on my arms are sticking up as I move my hand towards it.

I try to step back, but I’m locked in place. Panic grips me and I open my mouth to scream, but no sound comes out.

The umbrella I was holding falls on the soft ground with a muffled thump.

I cannot move.

I cannot speak.

My heart beats so fast, I’m afraid it will escape past my ribcage and land at my feet.

A strong gust of wind hits me and before I can register what’s happening, I’m covered. All I can see is purple.

All around me.

Everywhere.

I cannot see the forest, nor the castle in the distance.

I feel like I’m falling into the abyss.

This time, when I scream, the sound comes out and it deafens me. I yell with all that I have in me and it echoes around me.

A flash of light.

Wind whips my face.

The cape is ripped from me.

Something cuts at my arms and my legs. I feel the sting, but I can’t see a thing.

I land on something, but it’s so dark, I can’t make out my surroundings.

I feel dizzy and confused. The combination makes me feel sick and just as somewhat clear thoughts come to me, I roll onto my side and throw up the contents of my stomach. Acid burns my throat and I’m left gagging and retching.

Drops of sweat fall down my face and my eyes water with the force of my sickness.

I lie down and feel the concrete beneath me.

I sigh in relief as the coolness makes contact with my exposed skin. The smell of my own vomit inches away from my head makes my nose scrunch in disgust.

_Oh Heavens! What happened? Where am I_?

My thoughts are running wild inside my head.

There’s a loud noise coming from somewhere above me. A buzzing sound, like hundreds of bees flying around.

‘Hello, love!’ a deep voice says.

I try to say something, anything, but nothing comes out, my throat dry and sore.

As if the man knows that, he appears at my side, bent down. He lifts my head and a bottle of water appears in his hand out of thin air.

I’m so desperate for a drink that I don’t even think if it’s really water in there and just start gulping as soon as he presses the bottle to my lips. A few drops run down my chin and land on the front of my dress, creating dark spots.

‘Good girl!’ he says while smoothing my hair slowly.

My stomach flutters at his words of praise.

There must be something wrong with me, for my body to react this way to a complete stranger, but I can’t help it.

There’s so many questions I want to ask him, but I find myself lost for words as soon as I make contact with his eyes.

A blue so deep that the sea at night would be jealous of this colour. He stares at me as if he can see right into my soul.

He looks around my age or maybe a few years older. There’s no denying he’s handsome with his short dark hair falling in all the right places, not a strand out of place and his face in perfect symmetry. It’s unfair how every line of his body has been designed so perfectly.

Taking his appearance in, I shrink under all my insecurities, turning my head away I start looking at my surroundings.

As if sensing my discomfort, he softly grabs my chin with his free hand whilst still stroking my hair and turns my head so that I’m staring at him again.

‘You don’t remember me, darling?’ he asks and for a second I think I see a glint of sadness in his eyes, but he masks it so quickly that I believe I imagined it.

‘Should I?’ I ask my voice still raspy.

He never replies to me, just stands up and combs his fingers through his hair letting out a deep sigh.

After a few moments he extends a hand and helps me stand up.

I notice several cuts on my arms. Not deep, but the bright red blood stands out on my pale skin.

‘Sorry about that. It’s not easy to travel when you’re not prepared for it.’ he says apologetically and shrugs his shoulders.

‘Travel? Where? What’s going on?’ I ask letting all my confusion out. ‘Where am I? Who are you?’ I continue, panic gripping me.

Before I can ask even more questions he says ‘Calm down. I won’t let anything hurt you’, his thumb stroking the back of my hand, soothingly. ‘I’ll explain, but let’s get your wounds seen to first.’ he adds.

For some unknown reason, I don’t feel like running away from him and it terrifies me. Who in their right mind just accepts all this? I must be insane, because I can’t find any other explanation.

‘I’m Quinn, by the way’

‘Cass’ I say curtly.

‘I know. Come on!’ he tugs my hand, guiding me to a large door, decorated with natural elements. Carvings, sculptures and paintings adorn the space around us.

_What is this place_?

I want to ask a million questions again, but stop myself and just follow Quinn quietly.