“Did you hear that?” I asked, my heart pounding in my chest. But their faces said it all. May’s face had drained of color, and her eyes were wild. However Alex had gotten up and raced to the door. He yanked it open and rushed out, racing toward the sound. “ALEX, WAIT!” May screamed. I started after them. When we got to where we thought the noise was coming from it was quiet. Like abnormally quiet. Then I realized where we were and what I was staring at. We were back in the “hill-forest” if you want to call it that, and I was staring at a girl. She had tan skin which was a stark contrast to her bright green eyes, her hair was a soft amber which seemed to glow even in the dim light. She seemed to have an otherworldly beauty about her, but her face was full of sheer terror. “Umm hello? Are you okay?” I asked awkwardly. “Why am I over here?” she asked. “We don’t know who you are,” Alex said. “I do,” May said, “at least I have seen her before.” The girl’s eyes widened in recognition. “My name is Emerald,” the girl, who we now know as Emerald, said. May gasped. “You- aren’t you the girl I thought I saw last time,” May said. “Are you guys from Sarandiel?” Emerald asked. “Uhhh where is that?” Alex asked. “Well you have to be be from Sarandiel, if you can see me,” Emerald explained. I was getting more freaked out by the second. “Uh I’m sorry we don’t understand you,” I said. *sigh* “just- just ask your parents,” Emerald sighed, “I’ll meet you after the fourth hill on Thursday.”

“Mom, where is Sarandiel?” My mom’s face visibly reddened. “Who told you about Sarandiel?” my mom asked defensively. “IDK, some Emerald,” I said. Her face was now a shade of puce. “Mom, what are you not telling me?” She burst out laughing. Not the funny kind though, the kind that sends chills up your spine, the kind that shows someone is breaking inside. Tears started slipping out from the corners of her eyes. When she had quieted down enough to finally start speaking what she said changed my entire life.