manda . r a i

[[EXTRAORDINARY]] PAGE THIRTEEN

Sandra swung her feet around the side of the bed she was on. Her feet wobbled at first, and she held out her arms to steady herself. She found that she was still dressed in the same clothes, a red silk blouse and black flares. Zanderia stood before her, and turned around to lead the way. Her dress flowed around her legs as she moved towards a large wooden door. The door's hinges were rusty, and it groaned as Zanderia opened it. She peeked outside the door, as if looking for someone. She turned around and gestured to Sandra. "Hurry, follow me," she hissed. Quickly she stepped outward, and Sandra followed.

Sandra was surprised when she stepped on soft dirt instead of concrete or carpet. It took her a while to realize that she was outside, in the bright glowing sunshine of midday. A lush field of neatly trimmed green grass stood before her. A wooden fence surrounded the property, about a square acre. A dirt pathway led the way from the door Sandra was standing in to another door. Sandra glanced up and saw that the building she was in was over four stories high, its walls were mossy stones. Where have they taken me? Where am I? "Sandra! Come, now!" Zanderia ordered from the middle of the pathway. Sandra hurried to catch up. 'Shhh.. we mustn't talk too loudly," Zanderia put a finger to her lips to illustrate. She gathered up the ends of her long dress to avoid tripping. Sandra followed Zanderia to the other weather-beaten door. Zanderia produced a large golden key, and turned it in the lock. It opened with a sharp click, and they went inside.

The darkness was overwhelming, Sandra couldn't see her own hand in front of her face. She stood right where she was, afraid to move. "Zanderia? Zanderia? Where are you?" she called out softly. No answer came from the darkness. Sandra hugged herself, trying to keep warm. She could feel goosebumps start to form on her skin. "Zanderia?" she tried again, a little louder this time. "Come on, Zanderia! Answer me! Please?" Sandra pleaded. Still no answer; the blackness seemed to snicker at her, laughing at her fear. Sandra stepped backwards, trying to find the door. Her hands felt nothingness, not even a wall. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up; something wasn't right. Something was wrong, deathly wrong. "Zanderia!" Sandra cried out, hoping to receive an answer. She could feel it, something evil was in here. Sandra looked out wildly into the darkness, breathing hard. She screamed. A pair of savage red eyes glared back at her, watching her every move.

Sandra took a step backwards, her breath coming in short gasps. The eyes followed her movement. What is it? What the hell is it? A deep growl rose from the creature's throat. Sandra stifled a scream, and stood where she was. Please go away, don't hurt me. Please go away. Sandra felt sweat trickle down her forehead, her hair was plastered to her face. Her hands shook, and she was unable to keep them still. Her legs felt wobbly, and she was sure she would faint any minute. The eyes seemed to mock her, happy she was so scared. It came closer towards her; Sandra couldn't make out a shape, all she could see was the vicious eyes approaching her steadily. Sandra cried out softly, she took another step backwards, and bumped into the cold stone wall. Thankfully, she pressed up against it. Get away from me, you monster. Get away from me. She moved towards the left, inching along the wall. Her hands groped the wall, she leaned on it for support. She kept her eyes on the creature approaching her. Quickly she moved, trying to find a door for escape. The creature surged toward her. Sandra screamed and immediately covered her face with her arms, protecting herself. A bright light flooded the room.

Zanderia came down a grand staircase on the opposite side of the room, with a frown on her face. "I see we have much to learn, my child," she said. Sandra let her arms drift down to her sides and faced Zanderia. She saw there was nothing in the room besides herself and Zanderia; the red eyes were gone. She looked around in astonishment.

"But... but, what about those eyes?" Sandra indicated where they were just seconds before. "They were there! I know it! They were red, and ferocious, and scary," Sandra babbled, trying to convince Zanderia that those eyes were indeed in the room.

Zanderia sighed dramatically, "Sandra my child, you have much to learn about yourself and the world. Now, follow me," Zanderia went up the staircase. Sandra ran after her, catching up.

"But Zanderia, I don't understand, what just happened?" Sandra felt ashamed that she had disappointed Zanderia.

Zanderia looked down at her with her mystical purple eyes. Her eyebrows arched up gracefully, "You will soon see Sandra, we are almost there." Zanderia pushed open a heavy wooden door at the end of the hall. A round antique jade table stood in the center of the magnificent room. Chairs sat majestically around it; a larger throne stood at the head of the table. Flags of enigmatic creatures hung about the room. Zanderia sat down at the throne and motioned for Sandra to take a seat to her right. Sandra timidly walked toward the chair and sat down. "Now sisters, come!" Zanderia lifted her hands up and a great blast of wind blew through the room. Sandra was pressed to the back of her chair. Ten bright white lights hovered above each chair; twinkling as they grew bigger and bigger. Sandra watched in wonder as from each light a lady appeared. Soon there were ten more women sitting around the table, talking and laughing amongst themselves. They were all dressed in long flowing dresses, each of different colors. Distinctive hats perched on their heads; stars and moons decorating most of them.

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