ENCHANTED ILLUSION

I was standing at the edge of a cliff overlooking an endless pit, where there was nothing beneath, no life, no water, land, or any sign of life, everything was just still darkness when suddenly curling smokes started rising upwards out of the depth, I stumbled backwards but it was coming right at me, I opened my mouth but nothing came out, after what felt like forever of being glued to the spot I finally found the ability to move my legs, I turned around and ran without looking back, I didn't know if the smoke or whatever was controlling it was still after me, I didn't stop or turn to look I just kept running until my legs hurt so bad and wobbly like I was going to fall and pass out then suddenly I heard an ear-piercing scream ahead of me, I came to an abrupt stop and was met with two pairs of glowing silver eyes staring down at me, I screamed and tried to move back until I landed back first on the ground, and then it was gone, for a moment I just lay there before squinting my eyes op

“So,” I said, changing the subject before they could start bickering again, “what’s the plan for today? It’s Saturday, no school, no homework—well, not yet anyway.”Olivia perked up, her eyes lighting up. “We could go to the mall. I need new shoes, and there’s that smoothie place we haven’t been to in forever.”Ethan groaned, slumping back on the couch. “The mall? Really? That’s, like, the most boring place ever. Can’t we do something fun, like go to the arcade or sneak into that old abandoned house on Maple Street?”Olivia made a face, wrinkling her nose. “The abandoned house? Gross, Ethan. It’s probably full of spiders and, like, mold or something. I’m not trying to die of an infection today.”“It’s not gross, it’s adventurous,” Ethan said, sitting up straighter, like he was ready to defend his idea to the death. “Come on, Bella, back me up here. You’re not scared of a little dust, are you?”I laughed, shaking my head. “I’m not picking sides. You two figure it out. But if we’re voti

Olivia grabbed my hand, pulling me into the crowd inside. The hall was huge, packed with people dancing and talking, their voices blending with the heavy beat of the music. The disco lights flashed overhead, making everything feel chaotic and alive. “Dance, Bella,” Olivia said, giving me a playful shove. “You look like hell.” Normally, I would’ve laughed at her bluntness, but not now. My mind was too tangled, spinning with questions about the pillar, the words, the guy who’d let us in. “Maybe I should’ve just stayed home,” I muttered, half to myself. Olivia shook her head, her curls bouncing. “No, Bella, you’re acting strange,” she said, her voice firm but not unkind. “This place is awesome. Stop overthinking and have fun.” “Maybe I am,” I said, my voice trailing off. “But did you see that guy? The way he…” I stopped, my words catching in my throat as my eyes landed on something across the room. There was another space, separated from the main hall by thin iron bars, like a cage but