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 like

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

you

takes a 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

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

in where you're not expected. Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed,

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

Not Yet

that

it's kind of on the nose, isn't

contract with Grimoire? They inspect every inch of me with a curled lip and a

it been 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

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

no one else

little human thing?" the spirit asks, crossing

I protest, "I 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

in here. Shouldn't you know where your

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

groans, dramatically falling flat on their back in mid-air. It's surreal, watching them float there like they're lying on

frame of green trees surrounding a sliver of blue sky. "Perhaps I should

and start anew."

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

I ask, unable to keep the worry

is like something out of a horror movie. They sit up so abruptly it makes me