REDEMPTION

44. GHOST VISIT.

It took sometime to explain everything but now it was out of the way. Everyone had looked at her as though she had spoken in an ancient tongue when she mentioned origin. However, they all understood what she meant once she explained.

Achlysa was lying in her room. She could not sleep neither could she relax. This time, however, it was not because she had a premonition but because she was excited. It had been a while since she felt relieved. So much had happened that she did not have time to think and now she did.

She smiled to herself, happy to have been able to accomplish things without it being at the expense of others. After the talk, King Mafilso had made it clear that they would be staying in the city. What was most shocking was that Achlysa came to find out that Drastacia and Shawn were mates. And this was why the king did not intervene when Drastacia got slapped twice.

It also explained why Shawn looked so irritated by her actions. After she had been led to her room, she had not heard from them. Achlysa hoped they were fine considering everyone in the castle treated her like a total stranger. Who could blame the staff? Furthermore, it was easier knowing how to treat someone you know over someone you don’t.

Achlysa had missed looking up at the sky. She wanted to adore the night sky. Attempt to count the stars as she played a game of identifying other planets in her head. She missed feeling of the wind blowing as she gazed. Worshipping the moon as it ruled the night fearlessly.

This made her sad. She turned and snuggled into her bed, trying to find sleep. She closed her eyes and waited. Sleep never came. Achlysa tossed one more time and she still could not sleep. She scolded her mind but stopped when she felt someone’s weight on her bed.

She reached for her staff immediately and swung it at whoever it was at an incredible speed. The staff landed in front of the person's neck. They did not seem fazed by this but instead giggled. It was the voice of a little girl. Achlysa could not see her so it was hard for her to tell what she looked like.

Her color , however, was something she could see. She looked at where the little girl was supposed to be but she could not see anyone there. The giggle came from her right. She turned to look and still found no one. Achlysa had no intention of asking the identity of the intruder since she knew she would only get a giggle for an answer.

The sound of small bells echoed in her room. There was no wind, yet, she felt a chill running through her body. The giggles also echoed but the more one listened, the more they became clearer. The sound of the bells always rang in different places in her room. And with that, Achlysa could tell where the girl was.

She heard the bells at the door, then at the window before coming back to the bed. The little girl did not stay in one place for too long and she kept teleporting from one corner of the room to the next. But her speed was incredible. One could easily mistake her for being slow but time slowed down when she moved. A single second was split into fractions of single movements that let her be on four places at once.

Her giggle was innocent and childish. Achlysa felt no evil intentions from her but could not help getting scared over the fact that the girl had entered her room without making a sound. Achlysa might have been in a castle but she was sure even castle doors made sound when they were opened.

Perhaps she was looking at things from the wrong perspective, so why not try another? She never heard the door open and the windows weren’t open either. The question was simple. What can enter a room without using a door or a window? What looks like a person but isn't? Why was she the only one that did not have any color? Why did she move at a speed impossible for any race? And why did no one come to ask her to stop giggling?

Achlysa had gotten the solution. To avoid sending the wrong message, she placed the staff beside her and sat more comfortably against a few pillows. She thought for a while.

“May I know why you are here?”

The giggling stopped before being picked up again. The little girl stopped moving around the room and floated right toward Achlysa. She landed in the middle of Achlysa's bed. The bells rang again. She stood there and tilted her head. She wondered if what was happening was real. It had been centuries since anyone last spoke to her let alone seen her.

“May I know why you are here?” Achlysa repeated.

The little girl was surprised. She stopped giggling and sat on top of Achlysa's legs face down. She drew circles on her. Achlysa waited patiently.

“Trapped here. No way out.” Her words came with static backing it up.

“Why?”

“Not know.”

“If you are always here, has anyone else seen you before?”

“No-no”

“Why me?”

“You me alike.”

“What does that mean?”

“You me alike.”

“No…why you me alike.”

She was silent. Whatever she had been writing was beginning to get more painful as time went by. Achlysa felt something warm drip down her covers. She had a pretty good idea what it was but what the girl had said needed more attention.

The writing continued and she moved but could not. The little girl had a firm grip and her weight was also questionable. Achlysa wanted to pull away from the pain but she could not. The pain got too bad that she could not think straight anymore.

And with all thee strength she had, she aimed to push the little one off her. But, her hand went right through her. The pressure of her attempt blasted the wardrobe that sat across her bed.

“Focus.”

The little girl's words were more mature. She sounded serious. Achlysa tried but could not. The pain was too much.

“What do you mean alike?” she asked through her gritted teeth.

“Just that. You me alike. In more ways that one…find that answer and you Will open my book and receive what rightfully belongs to you. But for now, you need to wake up.”