Shay's Pov
I tried the rest of my body and watched in thrilling ecstasy how my body pulled out to the other side of the mirror. The other side was black as darkness.
I gasped at what was happening.
I pulled myself in again to my room.
Was this happening?
Has my wish been granted? I'd asked myself, ruminating about it. I embraced whatever was on the other side of the world.
I fully took another step and bolted out to the other world. The darkness stared directly into my face. Some rays of light crept into the cave in which I was.
My heart jerked out of me. What was I thinking? I must return to my world. I have no idea what lies ahead.
I swirled around, turning to the medium from which I had penetrated. There was nothing there but a wall.
I panicked, touching the wall from which I came through.
What was happening? I asked myself, tapping it as if in so doing, a transition would occur. I had come through this wall but there was nothing situated there. Not even a whirlwind light.
This was it, I told myself. I had my wish, so I must plunge on. But I looked down at myself. I was dressed in a chemise silk gown. Wouldn't I seem strange to these inhabitants of this land even though I knew how they dressed?
I went to pick up the white cowry and placed it in the center of my palm for courage. Maybe, I might find the strange handsome man along the way.
Maybe.
I ducked my head lower to come out of the cave as the cave's mouth was too small to allow entrance.
What shocked me was the sight of giant towering trees of all sorts, thick shrubs, and high bushes. The moon only created little light to guide the way.
What was this? Oh, God.
This was not how I'd expected it to be. I'd expected big cities, paved roads, and not thin, narrowed zigzagged lanes that led to nowhere in particular.
This was it, I said to myself, holding the cowry tightly in the depths of my palm.
A prick against my foot reminded me I was not wearing any form of protection against my feet. I winced my foot, assuring myself that I would see the strange man soon.
I couldn't possibly return to the cave, there was no way I would do just that. I took the right path in sight, ignoring the left path which seemed darker and thicker by the dense of trees.
I plunged on pushing the throngs of shrubs that brushed against my face. This was ridiculous, what prompted me to leave the comforts of my bed to this?
Crickets creaked in the darkness, toads sang the melodies my ears hadn't heard before. Owls flew above me, hooting in the darkness. Some sat in high trees, staring down at me.
Still, I walked on.
When it seemed like I was drawing close to a settlement, I suddenly heard a whopping sound, followed by a whistle. I froze, twirling around in circles wondering if someone was out there, watching me.
"Hello! Can you hear me?" I yelled out to the dark.
Only my echo returned to me, I studied the darkness and then told myself to continue. I could see a burning torch in the distance. Maybe I would get some help.
An arrow whisked past me, a whisper to my left ear. I yelped out in shock, hugging my body closely. A whistle sounded and I knew something was wrong.
To the light, I said.
My feet took flight instantly, my dress flailing behind me. I heard the rustle of the leaves, a rush of wind, and several whooping sounds.
My heart began to pound, beating against the walls of my ribcage. I was running to the light, was that a safe place? I had no idea but I kept on running.
Then, I heard the legs of several feet running behind me. I took a quick look behind me as I ran, jumping over fallen trees like a hunter. Scarred painted faces!
Who were they?
Three came out from the trees before me, I stopped, watching their faces. Slowly, I watched as the others came out and surrounded me. Most of them had bald heads, and only one in the center had short wisps of punk spikes. They each had long, black spears in their right hands which were pointed at their edges.
They were strange-looking indeed. They all had their faces painted with white chalk. Their teeth were colored as they gnashed, thumping their spears.
Were they happy? Were they furious, that a stranger had trespassed into their land?
I must speak up, I wasn't their enemy?
The spiked-haired man spoke up, he was broad-chested and also the good-looking among them all.
"Saguå ith më?" he spoke from the corner of his mouth.
(Who are you?)
Was something wrong with his mouth? I presumably thought. Where had my fear vanished to? I should have been scared, I didn't know what he was saying to me but I knew instinctively that he was asking me a question.
I remembered the cowry that was still buried in my palm. I pulled it up in the air for them to see. "I come in peace. I'm....,"
"Injaka fruwa!" He thundered.
(Take her!)
The men at my sides pushed me down to the floor, overpowering me. I cried out in pain as my head hit the ground. The cowry had fallen from my hand. My eyes searched out for it but it was lost and trampled under my feet.
Why were they binding me up?
"No, no, no, you don't understand. I'm no threat to you!" I shouted to them, begging me as they pulled me up into a sitting position to tie up my hands.
They probably didn't understand English as I never did understand their language.
Were these not that man's people?
He should be among them, he should be here.
Where were they taking me to?
Oh God.