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."

me off guard, and I shake my head, trying to refocus. "I'm sorry. I've never seen anything

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

you

while to gather the words. "I was... I was trying 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

confusion 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

quiet. Yet here you are, once again, stumbling into places you don't belong "I'm not trying to stumble into anything. I'm

Ava: Not Yet

sense that it-he-would

on the nose, isn't

every inch of me with a curled lip and a slow shake of

since you were out in it?" I venture to ask. The spirit must have some experience with the world. The way they roll their eyes and the timing of their humor feels very human. Much more than their

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

thing?" the spirit asks, crossing

thought you were going to tell me. After all, they went on and on about how Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed and enjoys his peace and

eyes narrow. "You're the one who came barging in

him," I counter. "You seem to know him quite well. I figured

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

magic is doomed," they announce to the canopy above, which has parted into a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver of blue sky. "Perhaps I should just set

and start anew."

seem to have any real empathy for my life. I'm sure it's

ask, unable to

it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into mine with an intensity that roots