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."

I shake my head, trying to

a dismissive hand, changing the subject abruptly once again. "Why are here, girl?

you

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:

mind. "What do you mean? I've

like I'm an obtuse child they're obligated to handle. "Not here, specifically. But you have a penchant for barging in where you're not expected. Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed, you know," Energy fizzes through my

the fact that Grimoire prefers his peace and quiet. Yet here you are, once again, stumbling into places you don't belong "I'm not trying to stumble into anything.

Not

that it-he-would have a

of on

with Grimoire? They inspect every inch of me with a curled

experience with the world. The way they roll their eyes and the timing of their

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 an

no one else is out

little human thing?" the spirit asks,

going to tell me. After all, they went on and on about how Grimoire

the one who came barging in

don't know anything about him," I counter. "You seem to know him quite well. I figured you'd know where to find

flat on their back in mid-air. It's surreal, watching

the canopy above, which has parted into a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver

and start anew."

for all its human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to have

possible?" I ask, unable to keep the worry

horror movie. They sit up so abruptly it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into mine