Chapter 10

Aelita's POV

I woke up, shaken by my dream of Alisa. The birds were chirping, and the sun was shining. It was so gorgeous out, but I knew it was supposed to rain sometime today. Jeremie was already up, probably down at breakfast. The back of my neck was sore from where I had been attacked.

I dragged myself out of bed, and walked up to my dorm, to get dressed and stuff. Today was Saturday, which meant no school.

I walked into my dorm. Everything seemed okay, but the photograph I'd found at the Hermitage was lying in the middle of the floor. I picked it up, and noticed that I had been ripped out of the picture.

I gripped the photo with fear, as I noticed the torn away piece on the floor, next to my bed.

I picked it up, and looked at it. It seemed to be untouched, but I turned it over, and there was a message.

Confess now,

Or die.

The last two words made my heart skip a beat.

"CONFESS WHAT!" I screamed. I was scared, and the atmosphere knew it, I had a feeling Alisa was around, hiding in the shadows, and I was terrified I'd see her true form, like I did in my dream.

I decided to go to the Hermitage and see if I could find some more information, I'm tired of all this confusion and loss of words.

I threw on a pink V neck shirt and jeans with flip flops, and headed to the Hermitage. As I was running in the woods, I felt like someone was watching me.

I ran and ran until the Hermitage lumbered into my view. The sad house stared at me, as if it had secrets waiting to be unveiled.

I walked up the steps, and went inside. There was a fell smell in the air, like something was decaying.

I went upstairs to see if I could maybe find Alisa's room. I looked in each bedroom, and there was room across from mine that was also painted pink, and it had in big letters on the door ALISA.

I walked inside of the room, and visions started flashing in my sight.

I'm playing in my room, and Alisa comes in, I can't make out her face, but she's going after something particular in my room, I recognized it as the elf, Mister Puck.

"What are you doing?" I yelled. "Daddy gave me that!"

Alisa taunted me. "Ha-ha! You're 13 and you still play with dolls?"

"So what! I don't care how old I am." I yelled, as I reached for the doll. Alisa was a little bit taller than me, as she held the doll up over my reach.

"Give it back!" I screamed.

Alisa continued to laugh.

I jumped up and got it. I was so angry I screamed "I HOPE YOU DIE!"

I jackknifed out of the vision, as I almost fell to the ground. I was breathing hard, as my composure came back. I looked around the room. It was just as trashed as mine was. I rummaged around, maybe hoping to find a picture of this girl.

I was startled by a familiar voice behind me. "It's rude to rummage around people's belongings."

Irena was standing in the doorway, looking evil, and her dark circles were back.

"Irena, what are you doing here?" I said, a little disgusted.

Irena walked over to me. "Oh, I just followed you in the woods, and I came across this house, It looks so familiar, don't you think?" She mocked.

I knew she was trying to scare me. "Irena, go home. You're not fooling anyone." I said, in a stern voice.

Irena's eyes glowed with malice. "I AM HOME. Did you find the photo? I hated that photo. How does it feel to be torn from a photo out of hatred and coldness?" I heard thunder, reminding me it was supposed to rain.

I backed away. "You're….." I said weakly.

"YES! I'M ALISA!" Irena's voice boomed throughout the house. "You wanted me dead, and guess what? You got your wish!" Irena became more transparent as she said those brutal words.

I was huddled up in the corner, scared for my life.

She floated over towards me, to where I could see the deep hollows in her eyes.

"My, Aelita. You're in trouble again, and this time, good-for-nothing, brainless father isn't here to save you!" Irena boomed. "You're just as brainless and weak as he is, aren't you?"

I couldn't take it anymore. "OKAY, OKAY I'M SORRY! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?" I yelled in fear at her.

"I only want one simple thing." Irena said.

"What?" I said, curiously.

"That's for me to know and you to find out." She taunted.

I was disgusted. Now that I knew what Irena really was, I didn't even want to look at her.

"Just leave me alone, Alisa. LEAVE ME ALONE!" I yelled, tears running down my face.

I ran downstairs, and ran out as fast as I could into the rain. I bolted in the woods, as I almost hit a few trees, I continued running and running. By the time I reached my dorm, I was soaked. I quickly unlocked my door, and ran on my bed, and started to cry.