Young Writers Society

James's eyebrows twitched together a moment. They don't know who I am. Then how did I get here? Clearly this wasn't the Blackfield castle.

"Peter," he replied. "Is there a doorknob on the other side? Can you let me out?"

"Dunno, tell me when I sound like I'm next to the door and I'll let you know."

"You're actually getting quieter. I think you passed it."

She backs up. "Getting warmer?"

Nah, j-

"Shut up!" she snaps, a little louder than she intends to, her words actually dimly audible this time.

"..." He hesitates a moment, not sure how to interpret the mixed messages. His desire to get out however, wins over her quiet reprimand that may have been to her or an aside to someone with her.

"Yes."

"There yet?" she asks, mostly just to keep talking so he can locate her.

James heard her voice, but also her footsteps, approaching her door.

"Yes -" he paused a moment, waiting until he heard her almost directly in front of the door. "Here." He finally said.

"Nope, no doorknob. Just a bird."

James sighed, leaning forward with his forehead resting against the door, cursing quietly under his breath.

"...And who are you, then? You have a name?"

Not that you'll tell him.

"Auryon."

"Does every door in this place only have symbols on it?"

"No, not that I've seen. You got one on your hand?"

"Yes... I assume that means you have one on yours?"

Adamina heard the voice from before, seemingly in some sort of back-and-forth conversation with . . . someone. She hurried forward, following the sound, until she began to hear another voice, a masculine one.

She stopped when the young woman with bright, reddish hair came into view. She was standing in front of a door, which bore the same mark on Adamina's hand. The man's voice was coming from the other side.

"Why hello," she said, a little breathless. She made sure the hand holding the pin, which also bore the mark, was hidden in the folds of her skirt. But by the other woman's strange outfit, Adamina wondered if Alanis had really kidnapped her.