Taylor's Darkness

Seeing Her New World

Taylor opened her eyes and saw her friends and Zag. Zag smiled and held his hand out to her. “Are you ready to see your new world?” Zag asked with his charming smile. Taylor smiled and took his hand. Zag helped her off of the couch. Taylor stood up and smiled as she could only focus on Zag. She smiled as he held her hand and they began walking out of Zag’s office. Zag paused at the door and turned his head to the side. “Are you three coming with us? It will be your new home as well.” Zag said to Icy, Fang, and Emberto. Taylor smiled as the three of them had big smiles on their faces and immediately got up. Taylor looked at Zag and said, “I think they are just as excited as I am.” Zag chuckled and said, “I think you are right. Come on then, let’s go.” Zag lead them out of the office and down a different hallway. “Our home is accessible to this building. It is a little easier to get to and from work.” Zag explained to Taylor. Taylor thought that was so cool. “Wow, that is amazing actually. Makes commuting back and forth much easier.” Taylor said to Zag. Zag chuckled and said, “yes, I suppose you are right.”

They passed many doors along the way. Taylor saw a door up ahead that was a pale blue color compared to the other doors that were red and black. “Is that blue door ours?” Taylor asked curiously. “Yes, that is our door. The ones that are red and black are to other areas that are not ours. A door will look blue if it is your door. That is how we made it so that it would not be confusing. However, we all know who’s door is who’s.” Zag answered Taylor. Taylor smirked and asked, “so, you mean it is color coded and i***t proof?” Zag looked at Taylor unsure exactly how to take what she just said. “Well, we are not idiots by any means. However, it can get a bit confusing. As you have seen, there are many many doors on this level alone. So instead of walking into someone’s area by mistake and being tortured, we color coded to know which door is specifically to us.” Zag explained a little better. Taylor nodded and looked back at the blue door they were walking towards. “I’m sorry, I was not trying to insult anyone. My sarcastic mouth tends to speak before I think sometimes.” Taylor tried to give a genuine apology. Zag raised his eyebrow and then said, “we know how sarcastic your mouth can be. I am not offended by how you asked. I just wasn’t sure how you meant it.” Taylor smirked and decided to leave the conversation where it was.

They reached the pale blue door and stopped. “This is it. Are you ready to see your new world Taylor?” Taylor nodded and waited for the door to be opened. Zag reached for the door and opened it up. Taylor’s mouth hung open seeing the beautiful land before her. “Oh, wow, this, this is beautiful Zag.” There was green thick grass, blue skies, beautiful flowers with so many different colors, and what looked to be a river. Zag helped her through the door and Fang, Icy, and Emberto followed closely behind. Taylor looked everywhere, taking in the beauty of the world. “You would never guess this is part of the depths of hell.” Taylor said as she saw what looked like a beautifully colored bird. However, when it kept flying closer she realized that it was huge. “That is one of the biggest birds I have ever seen.” Taylor said still staring at the bird. Zag chuckled and said, “yes, that is one way we get around here.” Taylor’s eyes widened and slowly turned to face Zag. “Are you serious? Oh that is so cool.” Taylor said so excited to try. Zag just couldn’t believe have adventurous Taylor was. It was like she could take on anything.

They continued to walk through the grass enjoying each other’s company. Taylor felt like she didn’t have a care in the world. She breathed in deeply and could smell so many wonderful scents in the air. “So where is our house?” Taylor asked excited to see it. Zag gently took her hand into his and kissed it. Taylor smiled at how much of a gentleman Zag was. “We don’t have far to go. We need to catch a ride though.” Zag said to Taylor. Taylor’s eyes widened and she smiled from ear to ear. “Oh, we get to ride on those birds?” Taylor asked almost jumping up and down with anticipation. Zag chuckled and said, “they are called Gryphons. Normally they are brown in color, but the few we have here are colorful and bright. I can’t quite explain it.” Taylor smiled and watched as Zag called for the Gryphon to come. He whistled in a way that seemed to just be for the Gryphon. Taylor watched it as it landed in front of them. Zag smiled and said, “this is Sadie. She is the nicest of the bunch. Just wait for her to acknowledge you are there and bow your head slightly to appear smaller. Yes, I know you are smaller, but this is just the way it goes.” Taylor laughed and bowed her head to Sadie.

Sadie looked at Taylor and made a squawking noise, then shook her feathers. Taylor did not move. Sadie walked over to Taylor and placed her beak on Taylor’s shoulder. Zag’s mouth dropped open, then quickly cleared his throat. “Well that’s a first. She has never fully accepted anyone like that first meeting them. It took years for her to accept me like that.” Zag said as he gently patted Sadie. Taylor smiled and placed her hand on Sadie’s beak and ran her hand up and down her beak. Sadie ruffled her feathers and took one step back, and placed her wings straight out signally for Taylor and Zag to climb on. Taylor softly whispered, “thank you Sadie. I like you too.” Taylor walked around and used Sadie’s leg to hop onto her back. “This is going to be so much fun Zag.” Taylor said as she grabbed onto some of Sadie’s feathers. Zag sat behind her and held on to her waist. Sadie then squawked. A couple times and flew into the sky. Taylor’s heart pounded from the adrenaline rush.

Sadie flew over the trees. Taylor saw all of the beauty from the sky. The trees had purple, pink, blue, and greet leaves. “Wow this is so beautiful.” Taylor said as she looked down and saw Icy, Emberto, and Fang running in the same direction Sadie was going. Taylor looked forward and saw a beautiful castle. It was not a castle like one would think. This castle looked more like mansion back in Taylor’s world. “Wow is that our home?” Taylor asked as she leaned back against Zag. “Yes, that is our home. If there is anything you want changed go for it. I will not stop you except for maybe a few sentimental items.” Zag said with a smile. Soon Sadie landed in front of the castle and let Taylor and Zag to hop down. Taylor turned to Sadie and said, “thank you Sadie.” Zag and Taylor walked into their home and Taylor’s breath was blown away. The outside stairs were a beautiful stone that looked rustic. Zag opened the red double doors and let Taylor walk inside first. “Oh Zag, this is gorgeous.” The foyer had beautiful white, black, and brown marble floors. The walls were a pearl white with some light grey on an accent wall. Taylor was mesmerized by how crisp and clean it all looked. They walked down a hallway and the walls turned into grey stone with beautiful tapestries.

Zag enjoyed watching the wow factor on Taylor’s face as he showed her their home. They walked into the dining room and Taylor instantly fell in love. The dining room table was hand carved with many different wolves, birds, and bears. Taylor could tell it was carved with expert hands. The chairs matched the table with a red fabric on the chair cushions. The floor in the dining room matched the table and chairs. The walnut matched well with the white and red carpet. Taylor looked and saw there was a big elegant chandelier hanging over the center of the massive dining room table. Off to the side, there was a beautiful buffet that was made from walnut as well. Taylor looked towards the corner to see an elegantly carved china cabinet with beautiful china inside. “Wow, this room is beautiful. Did you design it yourself?” Taylor asked still mesmerized by the detail in the furniture. Zag smiled and said, “I made the furniture myself.” Taylor looked at Zag and was shocked to hear him say that, but oddly enough she was a little turned on by it.

They then went into the kitchen and it was a very large room as well. There were 3 stoves, 2 refrigerators, and so many counters. Taylor looked and saw a coffee pot, blender, toaster and so many more appliances. “Oh I’ll be making use of that coffee pot.” Taylor said and Zag chuckled. “I use it a lot as well. I am not a pleasant person in the mornings until I have had at least 2 cups of coffee.” Zag admitted to Taylor. Taylor laughed and said, “well, that is one thing we have in common. Let’s go look at more rooms.” Zag nodded and they walked out of the kitchen. Zag guided her to some French style doors. Taylor noticed the elegant carving in the doors and smiled. She put her hand on the middle of the door and traced it with her fingers. It was a beautiful tree of life carving in the center of both doors. “Did you carve these as well Zag? These beautiful.” Taylor asked taking a step back and looking at it as a whole. “Yes, I did. All of the wood furniture, doors, and trim are my handy work.” Zag answered Taylor. “You are very talented Zag. I love it.” Taylor said as Zag opened the doors to reveal a study with a fire place. Taylor smiled and said, “I bet you spend a lot of time in here.” Zag laughed, “well, I use to up until we met. Now I spend my time with every moment I can get with you.” Zag made Taylor blush. “I think we can see the rest later. It is about time for us to wake up my dear.” Zag said as he gently took Taylor’s hand and kissed it.