Maverick led me out of the office to a hallway with pure white walls and a brown wooden finish. Several plants hung from the walls and windows, making the hall feel less like an asylum. There were windows every three feet, and I could clearly see that it was around midday, despite us having left at around 8PM.

  "Um, what time is it?" I asked.

  "Thirteen hundred. Why do you ask?— Oh, right, it was night when you left your world, wasn't it?" He emphasized "my world" for reasons I'd never understand.

  "Yeah. How is... Did we lose some time somewhere or—"

  "You think all the worlds in the universe line up with each other?" He wagged his finger back and forth, shaking his head. "What are they teaching you kids in school these days?"

  "Hey! You look barely older than me! And up until just minutes ago, I didn't even know there were other worlds!"

  "You know about galaxies, I'm sure. Unless those pictures hanging up in your school were just fictional promotions?" He was at my school? Stalker!

  "Of course I know about other galaxies." I clenched my fists.

  He put his hands up defensively. "Gee! I didn't want to make assumptions. After all, you somehow didn't bother to think there might be other worlds in other galaxies."

  "W-Well, of course I've wondered that! I don't think anyone has ever not wondered that. But we don't have the technology to perceive these other worlds, let alone determine if other lifeforms exist—"

  Maverick snickered. "You Earth humans are so egotistical, thinking you're the only intelligent species to exist."

  I sighed. "That's not what we think. ...At least, I don't think it is." I mumbled that last part, recalling a few teachers I've had in the past.

  He shook his head and continued leading me down the mostly empty hallway. When we reached the end, there was an elevator.

  "An elevator?" I raised an eyebrow.

  "Systematic Static Elevation Transportation Lift. SSETF. Or Setf." Maverick didn't bother looking at me as he forced the door open.

  "...Or you could just call it a lift." I sighed, watching him fiddle with a lever that seemed to control which floor we would land on. Eight floors... "Just how big is this institute? And where exactly are we?"

  "You'll find out." He smirked at me, and for once, he seemed genuinely amused as he set the lever for the first floor. The ride was far less bumpy than any elevator I had been on before. I couldn't even tell that it was moving!

  Upon stepping out of the elevator, a large garden with several big fountains and flowerbeds awaited me. I couldn't help the huge smile on my face seeing how beautiful it was. I was about to take a few steps forward when Maverick grabbed my wrist and pulled me along the walkway closer to the building.

  "This is Sylvis' manor." Maverick smiled at me for a moment before turning to look back in front of him. There were plenty of people walking around at this time, and I definitely didn't want to bump into any of them. 'The official name is Magisteria Fantastique, but most people here simply refer to it as the manor. It's our home now."

  "Home?" My breath caught in my throat. How long had these people been here to consider this their home? "How many people live here?"

  About sixty or so. We cycle in and out of people, always finding more people with magic. Some people find safety in the manor and choose to remain here after they've gained control of their magic. Others return to the life they came from. And some of them are simply trapped here, unable to control their magic." He smirked and I knew he was trying to get a reaction out of me.

  "I'm hungry," I changed the subject.

  "You're hungry?" Maverick seemingly gawked, shocked that I didn't give him the reaction he so desired.

  "We were supposed to have pizza, Maverick. Pizza. You know, the thing you were eating that made you look like you wanted to spit it out. But then you kidnapped me before I could eat it." I stuck my tongue out at him. I noticed a few people whispering at my last statement, but it didn't even seem to faze him.

  "Oh, that? Well, it looks like I did you a favor considering how inedible it was," he paused before smirking. "The manor has its own dining hall open most hours of the day, but I'll take you somewhere better." He pulled me faster until we came to an elaborate metal gate surrounded by hedges and evergreens. Turning around I could see the manor slightly elevated on a hill. Huh... It looked a little smaller than I had pictured, especially with all of the people milling about.

  Passing through the gate, I turned around once again to notice that all the people at the manor were...gone? It must be my imagination.

  In front of me was a cobblestone road that led to a town. All the buildings were made of brick, tan and gray, with a few stalls and vendors lined up in alleyways. There were no signs of cars or even carriages, so I imagined you had to walk to get around this town. Were all of the towns in Meridia like this, or just this one?

  "Where are we?" I whispered to Maverick, not wanting to catch the attention of other passersby who would likely find me completely stupid for not knowing where I was.

  "Lancesten. But I don't imagine the name will mean much to you," Maverick answered.

  It was so strange. It wasn't quite a medieval town, but it was by no means modern either, or even in between. I couldn't spot an inch of siding, yet everyone dressed far more casually than one would expect. Maverick was wearing a faux leather jacket, and the people nearby seemed to wear a mix of casual and business attire. But nothing even came close to a graphic tee or overly revealing clothes. Just what sort of world was this?

  "Take a seat." Maverick practically pushed me into the chair in front of me at what appeared to be an outdoor restaurant. I could see the building behind us had its curtains closed and the door shut, with a board by the door with the word "OPEN" written in capital letters. Wait... How could I read that? And how could I understand what everyone was saying?

  "Are you speaking English?" I asked bluntly.

  "What?" Maverick raised an eyebrow before realization hit. "Oh, your language, no. In your world, I was able to speak to you in your native language using magic. Since arriving here, Sylvis likely used magic to allow you to understand our language."

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  "Thank you," I answered.

  "For what?" He practically cringed at me. There went my attempt at trying to make friends with this guy.

  "For answering my question." I curled my fists in my lap, forcing myself to sound as kind as possible. "I have a lot of other questions so—"

  "We're ready to order," Maverick tapped the waitress behind him with his pointer finger, causing her to practically jump at his touch. She quickly composed herself and smiled at us.

  "What can I get you?" She looked to Maverick first.

  "Two of the number three with extra meat," Maverick answered.

  "And I'll get—" I was quickly cut off.

  "Make it three."

  "Of course." The waitress nodded before scurrying away.

  "Why didn't you let me order?!" I asked, livid that I didn't get to order, let alone read the menu before me. He ordered for me as if I were a child! Though he probably thought of me that way. I bet I'm older than him.

  "That would require you to know what you wanted. And considering you haven't even picked up your menu and the fact that you're starving—"

  "Hungry," I corrected.

  "—I did you a favor and ensured your meal would arrive in the most timely manner."

  I clenched my teeth and gave him the nastiest look I could muster. I opened the menu to at least find out what he had ordered me. The number three was... some sort of meat platter, it looked like?— "Why did you order meat with extra meat?" I slammed the menu down in front of me.

  "It's good meat." Maverick shrugged.

  "You mentioned earlier that the food at this place was better than the food at the manor. Why is that?"

  "Because they have meat." Maverick shrugged again, and I really wanted to punch him.

  "I'm serious—"

  "So am I! You don't mess with good meat, Elaina." He tsked.

  I rolled my eyes. "Can you maybe get our food here a little faster then, using your magic—" The breath caught in my throat, and I momentarily felt myself suffocating.

  "Don't say the M word out here." Maverick narrowed his eyes at me. And if looks could kill, I'd be dead.

  "So, nobody else knows about...?" I trailed off, and thankfully, he understood what I meant.

  He shook his head. "Tell me, what would happen in your world if someone had magic and it became... somewhat public knowledge?" He lowered his voice to ensure those around us couldn't hear.

  "Well..." I thought about it for a moment. "I guess depending on the circumstances, they might be investigated by the police to ensure they weren't a threat or genetically modified in some way. I guess doctors and scientists would also run some tests and maybe even experiment on them if they were corrupt enough to find the source of their magic."

  "It's the same thing here. Don't show anyone anything you don't want them to know. You're only safe to express yourself in the manor."

  "Right..." I swallowed and felt my hands grow colder. No, hands! How embarrassing and terrifying would it be if I were to out myself right after this conversation? Controlling my magic meant controlling my emotions, so I had to learn not to overreact to every piece of information I learned.

  Not having any more questions and sensing he wasn't the most social person in the world, we waited in silence until the food came. Unlike the silence Matt and I had enjoyed probably less than an hour ago, this one was far more awkward.

  I hadn't recognized a single type of meat on the menu but... the meat that just arrived didn't look that unusual. It looked like chicken, beef, and... whatever this dark red thing was. I pulled up the menu again. Wharack, deeshu, and morgolia. Huh.

  "Which one is the wharack?" I asked, hesitantly poking at my food.

  No response.

  "Is this one the wharack?" I poked the chicken-like piece of meat more forcefully than I had been playing with my food.

  No response other than a loud "mmmm" as Maverick took another bite of his food.

  "Are you going to answer me?!" I slammed my fork and knife onto the plate, causing a look of alarm on his face.

  "No. I'm eating. You should do the same."

  "Fine." I slumped in my seat and actually cut into my food this time. It... actually tasted really good! It was far more tender than any meat I had tried before, and the flavoring was really good. If only I could get some dessert with this...

  We finished our food simultaneously, and without saying a word to each other, we made our way back to the mysterious manor. My new— No, it’s not my home. It’s a temporary living situation.

  “Are you going to teach me now?” I asked once we were within the confines of the manor’s property.

  A long exhale came from his nostrils, hard enough that I almost thought he would blow me away. Hah, I wonder if anyone’s ever done that with magic before. “Listen, you’ve had a long day. Take a break. Look around. Knock your socks off or whatever you Earth people say.” He waved me off before walking ahead.

  ”Wait!” I chased after him. “I don’t know anyone or where anything is! Can you at least help me—“

  “Help you?” He narrowed his eyes at me. “I’ve gone more than out of my way to help you today. Usually, I’m not this nice — I probably won’t ever be this nice again. If you want to learn how to use magic, you’ll learn when I say you do. Try helping yourself for a change.” With the flick of his wrist, he was gone.

  I wanted to call him an asshole, but something about his words struck me with fear and helplessness. I had been leaching off of him this whole time, hadn’t I? But it wasn’t my fault! I didn’t come here because I wanted to. …But it wasn’t his fault either, was it? This was Sylvis’ fault. And my stupid lineage if that whole story was even to be believed.

  Did I believe it? There were too many thoughts spinning in my head that I hadn’t even begun to process them. Surely there was somewhere I could go to be alone? I would have been given a bedroom, right?

  “Excuse me!” I walked up to the first person I saw — a blond curly-haired boy wearing a casual red hoodie and black jeans, standing in front of one of the fountains. He practically jumped a foot in the air when he heard my voice before quickly turning around.

  “Y-You’re talking to m-me?” he asked, looking me up and down.

  “Yes. Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” I smiled apprehensively. “I was just wondering if you knew where I could find my bedroom. You see, I’m new here and—"

  “Oh! You’re new here!” He placed a hand over his chest, and I couldn’t tell if his breathing slowed or quickened. “That’s why you’re talking to me.” I could’ve sworn I heard him mumble.

  “Yes, my name is Elaina. What’s yours?” I asked, hoping to calm the poor boy down. He must’ve been at least two years younger than myself.

  “Aidan…” He scratched the back of his head, looking away.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Aidan.” I beamed. “If you want, you can call me Ella. It’s what all of my friends call me.”

  “But we’re not…! A-Are you sure…?” He blushed and his eyes looked hopeful. I couldn’t help but giggle at how cute he was. This was exactly how I had pictured my little brother looking if I had one. …If I had one that I saw regularly.

  “It’s fine! Just show me where I’m staying and we’ll call it even!”

  He nodded before beckoning me to follow. “Come this way. The dorms start on the third floor, but since you’re new, your room is likely on the seventh.”

  “Five floors for bedrooms…?” I said to no one in particular, but he nodded anyway.

  Stepping into the lift, the few seconds I spent waiting felt like minutes with how nervous and clammy the boy next to me was.

  “So, how long have you been here for?” I asked, trying to relieve the awkward tension.

  His eyes flicked up to me in surprise again. Gee, you don’t have to be so shocked every time I speak. “Half a year.”

  I was about to ask him more when the elevator stopped on the seventh floor.

  “I-If you go down the hall, you should find a door with your name on it!” Aidan explained. With a quick smile and wave, he hurriedly pressed a button and shut the door.

  Back to being alone, I guess.

  I sighed and let my shoulders slump as I followed the hallway down. It was practically an exact replica of the one on the eighth floor — the floor Maverick had taken me through. Well, if you replaced most of the windows with doors. There were still a few windows to give the place natural light, but far fewer than the upper floor.

  At the end of the hall, I found a wooden brown door, the same as the others, with the name Elaina etched in gold. My heart got caught in my throat as I traced the letters with my fingers. This was really happening, wasn’t it?

  I twisted the doorknob to find a moderately sized bedroom decorated in pinks and whites — reminiscent of my bedroom back home. The furniture set was white while the bedding and accents were rose and pastels to match the floral pink wallpaper. The room contained only a few pieces of furniture, such as a bed, dresser, desk, and chair. Two nicer teal armchairs sat tucked into a corner. Surprisingly, the floor was carpeted, different from my floor back home.

  I lay back on the bed, staring up at the pink frilly canopy before me. I haven’t had one of those since I was a kid…

  When would I see my friends again? And my family?

  I closed my eyes and let the tears fall, hoping they’d take me far away from this world.