Tangled

Unshift 286

Unshift 286

286 Ava: Not Yet Ready.

*Sealed? By the water, you mean?"

"Of course not." They look irritated now, likely by how slow my brain is catching up to their thought process. The seals, girl"

"So, a lockbox?"

"Lockb-you humans have such odd innovations." The way they're peering into my face, it feels like they're tearing apart my memories to educate themselves.

"In a sense, I suppose. It isn't that easy" They sit.

In the air.

Floating.

Just-there. As if one would lower themself into a chair, only there's nothing there.

"Why so surprised?" they ask, tilting their head as they blink owlishly in my direction.

Gesturing toward them, I just say, "You're floating. In mid-air."

They roll their eyes again, a surprisingly human gesture for such an otherworldly being. "And you're standing on the ground. How extraordinary."

shake my head, trying to

dismissive hand, changing the subject abruptly once again. "Why are here, girl? This isn't a place for

you

to focus on a new connection I felt within me. My magic, I think. I didn't mean to intrude on your, er, world: The spirit clicks their tongue, annoyance flashing across their ethereal features. "You make quite a habit of coming uninvited,

swirling in my mind. "What do you mean? I've

a penchant for barging in where you're not expected. Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed, you know," Energy fizzes through my veins, my heart beat rapid and shallow. "Grimoire? You

and quiet. Yet here you are, once again, stumbling into places

Ava: Not Yet

It makes sense that it-he-would have a name,

of on

me with a curled lip and a slow shake of their head. "Has the world changed so

venture to ask. The spirit must have some experience with the world. The way they roll their eyes

feeling further questioning will only lead me nowhere. They don't seem interested in a two-way conversation, only in satiating their own curiosity. "How can I reach Grimoire?" The spirit blinks, their gaze sweeping around us. I hesitate, then follow suit, scanning our surroundings. Beyond our small circle of vibrant green, there's nothing but a vast expanse of dead forest. The contrast is stark-life and death separated by

one else is out

is Grimoire, little human thing?" the spirit asks, crossing

on about how Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed and enjoys his peace and quiet. Wouldn't they know

"You're the one who came barging in here.

about him," I counter. "You seem to know him quite well. I figured you'd

mid-air. It's surreal, watching them float

canopy above, which has parted into a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver of blue sky. "Perhaps I should just

and start anew."

doesn't seem to have any real empathy for my life. I'm

that... possible?" I ask, unable to keep the worry from

of a horror movie. They sit up so abruptly it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into mine with an intensity that roots me to the