"Home sweet home." Riley says with a yawn, nodding towards the house.

A sleepy Zoë is on her shoulder. I, apparently, am the only one who is wide awake. That's never happened before...

She hands me her keys and I open the door. Inside pop music is blaring and an off key male voice sings out, "-Hate that stupid old pickup truck you never let me drive! You're a redneck heartbreaker who's really bad at lying!"

I exchange a glance with Riley who rolls her eyes. She lies Zoë down on the raggedy old sofa and leads me to the kitchen.

"So watch me strike a match on all my wasted time! As far as I'm concerned your just another picture to burn!" A latino man, late twenties, maybe early thirties, is singing his heart out into a bottle green juice. "Burn, burn, burn baby, burn!"

Riley slow claps from her spot in the doorway. "That, Dylan, was truly beautiful."

"Of course it was, I was singing." The man says, not even flinching. He notices me, "Riley you brought me a gift? How kind of you!"

He links his arm in mine after changing of the radio station. "Dance, chica!"

How about no? I am about to voice my thoughts when he grabs my hands and spins. I gasp, trying not to spin but he is too strong.

I shoot Riley a pleading look, but she is texting someone. She only looks up briefly to turn the music down.

Dylan whines is protest, but she quips, "It's the weekend, aka the only time I get to sleep for over four hours. Do not wake the baby!"

Dylan scoffs, "Girl, your no fun!" He lets go of my hands only to grab it quickly again and inspect my nails.

What the actual heck?

"Oh honey, your nails are awful, you nearly ripped my hands to shreds! Come here, I'll fix them." He has me sit at the table and runs out of the room.

"Ri, who is that and what is going on?"

"Dylan, he's my roommate and he is just excited because I brought him a new toy."

"I don't want to be a toy!" I object.

"Too late, I'm attached!" Dylan yells from down the hall.

I inspect the room, beaten up table, drab curtains, ripping wallpaper, overflowing sink.

Riley lives here? I imagined something super sleek and modern, not some place that looks like it's unhealthy to be in.

The phone in my purse buzzes. I get up to grab it off the counter where I hastily set it, but my vision starts to blur and I feel dizzy.

I wobble as I stand, my legs like jelly. A pounding headache comes out of no where and is soon all I can think about. My stomach turns and I puke.

"Oh gross!" Riley groans.

A tearing sensation begins in my chest, like my muscles are being ripped to ribbons front the inside out.

I slip on my puddle of vomit and hit my head on the ground.

"Em! Oh crap, oh no, no no!"

The rickety ceiling fan spins unevenly from above. I can't close my eyes, I stare at it as it spins again and again. I let out a breath of air, and am no longer able to inhale.

As I fall into the, now familiar, darkness, I swear I hear a voice giggle my name.

~

"Ember." A syrupy sweet voice sings, "Wake up sweetie."

I can't help but listen, the voice is so calm and kind. I open an eye and instead of my bedroom ceiling, I see a bright blue sky.

I look around, in lieu of my possessions I have collected over the past ten years, I am surrounded by cobblestone buildings and walkways. People are milling about, unfazed by the fact I was asleep in street.

I stand up, brushing the dirt off my clothes. They aren't my grey pajamas that fill my closet. They are bright green jeans and a red sweatshirt.

Where am I? I wonder.

You are in Ersetu, child. The voice whispers to me. I look around, no one is near me.

Did I say that out loud?

No, just follow my instructions and I will explain everything. Walk down this street until you see the way to a bridge.

"What?" I breathe quietly. I follow the directions until I am at a cobblestone bridge that goes over a canal.

This place is so beautiful!

Turn right, love.

I continue to listen to the voice until I end up staring wide eyed at a stone castle.
The buildings were so tall you couldn't see it.

Enter.

I walk up the stairs to the front gate, whilst trying to figure out how to close my mouth. The doors open the moment I am level with them.

This is so cool! I mentally squeal.

I step inside, my jaw once again hitting the floor. It is amazing, white marble walls, paintings, tapestries, statues, spiral staircases. If I was into really art, I think I might have had a heart attack.

I slowly turn in awe. Above the top of the doors that tower over me, are stain glass windows.

How much Star Wars merchandise could I buy with all this?!

A soft squeaking comes from behind me.

A small grey haired lady shuffles towards me. She curtsies and nods for me to follow her.

"Who are you?" I ask. "Where am I?"

She pats her throat, gesturing that she can't talk.

Oh, she's a mute. I follow her up a flight of stairs and down a hall. She knocks on a door then opens it when the voice says, Come in.

She nudges me inside before scurrying away.

Inside a woman in a magnificent red dress with long black and ivory skin looks at me. I immediately notice her eyes are different colors. All of her features elegant, she looks effortlessly flawless.

She smiles kindly at me, "Ember, it's so nice to finally meet you at last."

----------------------------------------------------

Yay I updated! So what do you think about it? Is the book good or making you want to burn it and curse my name to the wind?

I am going to try and figure out a regular update day, and I should have one soon, but right now, starting with school again, my life is becoming hectic. Sorry.

If you liked it don't forget to comment and vote. Or even share, I'd like that too.