I slowly lifted my eyes and they met Dylan's.
For a moment, I didn't know what to say. I was completely speechless as he stared down at my glowing purple eyes.
"Are you done looking?" he said casually. "Actually, I know I am handsome."
I unintentionally pushed him away and straightened myself.
Even after everything that just happened, he hadn't changed a bit. Still annoying. Still full of sarcasm.
Yes… what just happened?
My thoughts rushed back to the situation.
"You saw what happened back there, right?" I asked nervously. "Those terrifying creatures… what were they?"
"And you saw my eyes too," I continued, my voice shaking slightly. "They aren't crimson anymore. They're purple."
"It's been like this for a while now. I tried reaching out to you after that day, but you were nowhere to be found, it was as if you disappeared."
"And apart from that, so many strange things have been happening."
"My hair turning white… strange dreams… old Mr Gareth's library vanished"
I laughed nervously.
"I guess I'm already losing my mind, because monsters and things like this only happen in movies and fantasy novels."
I had been talking nonstop without even giving him a chance to speak.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" I finally asked.
"That's because you've been the one talking the whole time," Dylan replied calmly.
"Oh… that's true," I admitted awkwardly.
"But everything I said is really happening to me."
"You saw my eyes and didn't even flinch. And you don't seem surprised by my story at all."
I took a deep breath.
"You believe me."
" You know that I am saying the truth".
"That's why I'm convinced you know what's happening to me."
" You have my answers ".
I looked straight into his eyes.
"What am I?"
Dylan didn't answer immediately.
His face remained completely calm, revealing nothing.
No emotions.
No reaction.
He was incredibly good at hiding whatever he was thinking.
He always wears his mask perfectly hiding all his emotions.
"What if the truth you so much want to hear and know can destroy you ".
" Will you still choose to hear it?"
I was speechless by his question.
After a moment, he simply turned and began walking.
I followed him.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
As I walked, I finally took a proper look at the place around us.
It looked nothing like Earth.
We were standing on a beautiful island filled with lush green vegetation. Colorful flowers grew everywhere, and butterflies fluttered around them.
It felt peaceful.
Almost magical.
Dylan continued walking without answering me.
After a short distance, I noticed a little girl playing on a tree branch.
I smiled slightly at the sight, but worry quickly replaced it.
"Is it okay for her to play like that?" I asked Dylan.
"What if she falls and gets hurt?"
"She won't," Dylan replied simply.
"Creatures here aren't weak."
Creatures?
I frowned, trying to understand what he meant.
Before I could ask more questions, the little girl suddenly slipped.
"Oh no!"
I rushed forward instinctively to catch her.
But before she could hit the ground, she suddenly flew back into the air.
That's when I saw them.
Wings.
She had wings.
"Ouch!"
I slipped and fell on the ground.
Great.
My life was definitely cursed.
"Hi."
I looked up and saw the little girl standing in front of me.
She had a bright smile and an adorable face.
But I instinctively moved back slightly.
She wasn't human.
I needed to remember that.
The little girl seemed to notice my fear.
"My name is Denise," she said softly. "I'm a fairy."
Dylan walked toward us.
"You scared her," he said to the girl.
"I'm sorry, Uncle Dylan," Denise replied politely before bowing.
Then she quickly flew away.
"Why did she leave so suddenly?" I asked while standing up and brushing the dirt off my clothes.
"Her mother was calling her," Dylan replied calmly.
He started walking again, and I followed him.
As if sensing that I didn't believe him, he added,
"Every creature here can communicate inwardly."
"Wow…" I whispered. "That's incredible."
"You said creatures earlier," I continued. "Does that mean there are more beings here besides fairies?"
"You'll see for yourself," Dylan replied.
Finally, he stopped walking.
I stepped beside him.
And the view before me left me completely speechless.
Below us was a vast city filled with different kinds of creatures.
Fairies flew through the air.
Strange animals walked beside humanoid beings with horns, wings, and tails.
The entire place was alive with color and energy.
It was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen.
If only Jane could see this… she would probably faint immediately.
"This is my world," Dylan said quietly.
Suddenly, Denise returned.
This time she brought two other girls with her.
"Sorry for scaring you earlier, miss," she apologized politely.
"No, no. It's not your fault," I said with a small smile.
"Do you mind if we show you around?" Denise asked excitedly.
"My friends and I know many beautiful places you might like."
"These are my friends, Flora and Kate."
"Hi!" Flora and Kate said together.
I looked at Dylan.
He didn't say anything.
Taking that as permission, I left with the girls.
We soon entered the city.
"I think you should change into proper clothes first so you can blend in," Denise said.
I suddenly realized everyone was staring at me like I was an alien.
"Yeah… I noticed," I admitted.
So we entered a fashion shop.
"Denise!" a woman called from inside.
She appeared to be the shop owner.
Judging from the cat ears sticking out of her head, I could guess she wasn't human either.
"Mrs. Sandra!" the girls greeted in unison.
"What do you have there?" Mrs. Sandra asked, looking curiously at me.
The girls exchanged a mysterious smile.
It seemed like they had already communicated something silently.
Maybe they were using that inward communication Dylan mentioned.
Mrs. Sandra then walked toward me and gently guided me inside the shop.