When Billie woke up she was not in her own room. 

As she lay, still blinking a terrible drowsiness from her heavy lids, her first sight was of the white roof of a canopy bed. Oppressive, tall and thick beams the colour matt gold hung up silk curtains.   

She sat up and stretched her muscles out of need. The stiffness was unbearable. She dragged the weighty, white sheets from her body.   

The alien room was as regal as the bed. It was larger than her own house and hosted white and gold furniture. Well-patterned carpets and scant, potted plants. She was insignificant and frightened in its enormous opulence. Psychologically, it was no different than being trapped in the jaws of a whale before it swallows.        

Was she kidnapped?

Her trepidation grew and formed a lump in her throat. Nausea that sprouted from raw dread.

Her bare feet touched the floor and she flinched from the cold marble. She almost fell. Her knees were weak.    

Billie stumbled again three steps in and grasped for a white-and-gold vanity. In the mirror, she saw herself. Her curly hair was free and groomed. Brown face with light makeup. And she wasn’t conscious of it at first, but the dress she wore was one she didn’t own.   

It was wrong.

She needed to move. She was not only kidnapped, but also changed. The reality came quickly to her and it was not to be denied. She needed to get out. To scale the window and get help. She will not suffer the thought of encountering the residents of this place.

Finally, she made it to one of the large windows and yanked the curtains open.

She gasped deeply.   

The land stretched to a space that could have filled twenty houses. Then stopped, as if it were the edge of a cliff. It was like an island whose shores gave way to the sky instead of the sea. This wasn’t the only one. Dozens of similar “islands” floated in the sky. Compact earth hung below their grassy terraces, as if that piece of earth was cut, and then lifted into the air by a divine force.

“Dear God…” was all she could say. The sight was comparable to Heaven. Or at least, a dream. What she was seeing wasn’t real. It was the only explanation.

The largest island had a palace of Roman design built on top, and the smaller floating islands around it held buildings just as grand. Many held Roman architecture just like the palace, some were stone and medieval, there was a grand one with a dome, there were great stone buildings with a pool out front. Many so varied, but not a modern building in sight. 

But her mind was so transfixed that a sudden creak made her jump out of her skin.

The bedroom door was opening. 

She spun her entire body and her loose jaw tightened. A ball of fear sank to her stomach. She had been so caught up that she forgot that she wasn’t here of her own free will.

She raced to the vanity and hid the first thing she could behind her back. Both hands clasped upon a candle holder with a heavy, golden stem. Whoever came through the door would hopefully think she was just standing politely.

What could be the image of her kidnapper be? Was she even in any danger, since she was dreaming? Was she even dreaming? But who was coming through that door? A fiendish creep. An average or homely looker with an odd feature to their countenance. A cold, emotionless being with sadism in their eye. 

A ghost.  

This woman was completely white. White skin, white hair, and white clothes coming straight out of ancient Rome or Greece. Her expression conveyed surprise. Was this even a person at all? A real person?   

This woman composed herself faster than Billie.

“Good evening, Miss. I am most glad to see that you are awake.”

Silence.    

Billie took in all that she could about this strange woman.  

Her face had an unearthly quality. Her eyes large and wide set, they were as light blue as the sky outside. Billie would’ve thought the woman was albino if not for those eyes. They stared at her without emotion, which made her all the more unnerving. Her dress and hair floated only slightly, as if a faint breeze with no origin was always passing through it.   

The woman’s pale brows furrowed only slightly. “I suppose this is new for you. Allow me to—”

“You stop right there!” Billie demanded when the woman stepped forward. Her grip on the candle holder grew tighter. “Who are you? Where am I?”

The woman paused but didn’t look perturbed. “I am Ariel, Right Hand to Queen Titania. You are in at Palace Titania.”  

“Where… where is that? What country am I in?”

“Palace Titania is on Planet Titania.”

“Planet Titania? This is Planet Earth.”

But was it? That… everything that she saw out the window…

“Ah, I see your mistake. You are not on Earth. Or the Human Universe. You are in the Fairy Realm.”

Billie gave the white woman a purposeful scowl. “You’re insane”, it said. And she made sure that this “Ariel” knew it.       

“Fairy Realm? Do I look crazy to you? Do you think this is funny? Where am I?”  

Billie wanted to believe this was a joke. This felt all too real to be a dream. What she saw outside didn’t leave her mind. The islands in the air, that palace, those buildings. It can’t be real. It was too absurd. Illogical. Stupid. Maybe aliens. That too was absurd, but she could perhaps wrap her head around that idea sometime later. But the Fairy Realm? Fairies? They had to have drugged her. There had to be some kind of illusion outside. A projection.

“I assure you, it is not. You may be in denial, or disoriented from travelling here. But please be assured that everything I say is true. Allow me to take you to Queen Titania. She will explain everything to you.”

The woman strode forward, and Billie panicked. With a desperate throw, the candleholder was already flying to Ariel’s face.

A wind made the woman’s hair and dress billow to the side, the candleholder veered left and clanked to the floor. Harmless.  

Billie’s stomach sank. She stepped back.   

“What—what—how did you do that?!”

It had to be some kind of trick. Some slight of hand.

“I’m a sylph.”

“N-no you’re not!”

“You are in panic, but I will not hurt you. I will leave and bring Her Highness here if that will make you comfortable.” 

Without another word she walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Billie just watched the door. Watching and waiting to make sure she went away.

After a few minutes passed, she crept to the door.

She pressed her ear against it.

She did hear footsteps. But they were far away.

She sprinted to the windows.

Billie found the latch and threw them wide open.

But when she looked down and actually examined the height, she shrunk back.

She was on the second floor, but the house wasn’t the regular two stories. She realized it was at least as big as a mini mansion. She couldn’t scale or climb anything. There were no beams or pipes or even thick vines. She couldn’t jump either. She would break a bone, and not only would it impede her from escaping, it would also hurt.

She looked to the sky again. The islands and grand buildings upon them were still there. Not a thing had changed. She felt the wind in her hair, on her skin. It was all… real.

No, it had to be a dream. That woman made a candleholder that was hurtling straight to her fly to the side lifting a finger.

But when Billie held that candle holder it was solid. She felt the momentum and the force behind her throw. And her reflection was perfect. Her hands—she looked to them—they were completely normal. Such things never happened in a dream.

But everything was so otherworldly. Who would set up such an elaborate hoax just for her? She had no enemies that would torture her in such a way. So it had to be a dream.

But if it was a dream, why was she so scared?

Just as she had that thought, a blue light caught her eye.

She looked down into the garden, to an arch she didn’t paid attention to before. Blue light formed from within the white, Roman architecture. It grew from the centre and spread out like a ripple till it occupied the entire space. Translucent blue with glimmers of red, orange, green, violet, pink, it was a puddle of liquid opal.

She recognized this type of light from somewhere. She has seen this before. But from where?

But then something broke the surface. A leg clad in a long, white dress.

Billie tugged the curtains closed. She left only a slit, wide enough to let but an eye to peek through.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

A woman emerged. She was dark skinned and held a golden staff. The staff had an ankh on top of it. She wore white and gold robes reminiscent of Ancient Egypt on her statuesque frame. Even from up here, Billie could tell that she was staggeringly tall. Not six feet tall, not even six foot five, she had to be taller than that at least. And then the ears. They were like a cat’s. A cat. Cat ears atop a bob of long braids—something you’d see Cleopatra wear in a movie.  

But then she saw Ariel approach the strange, dark-skinned woman.

They began talking with each other. She couldn’t hear what they were talking about. Or read their mouths. Ariel’s back was facing her, and the strange Egyptian woman barely spoke. 

Billie’s heart leapt when the dark-skinned woman looked straight at her. Her eyes an emerald green.

Suddenly, Billie felt awfully drowsy.

And before she knew it, the last colour she saw was the blue light.

A blue light.  

Through the dreamless sleep that followed, a memory resurfaced.

She remembered where she saw such a light.

She remembered how she got here.  

* * * * *

‘Where is he?’ Billie thought. Agitation consumed her.  

Avery should be here. He said he’d be here. He made a note in his “To Do” book that he’d be here. So why wasn’t he here? She stopped by his place, and he wasn’t there either so where the hell was he? 

            No. He’s probably running late on purpose. The best time to be at a party is when it’s getting hot. An hour late at least. That had to apply to dumb Halloween parties too. Was he picking out an outfit?

When she happened to be at his dorm the other day, there was no sign of a costume. That has to be it… If there was a costume she’d know.  

            She just hoped that he liked her outfit.

            She made sure to wear her hair down. He always said that her hair was nice. “Your curls are cute.”

            The black dress she wore was just short enough. Not as out there as the other “costumes”. Miniskirts, fishnets, one pieces… and some of the guys were shirtless. Yes, it was that kind of college Halloween party. So much noise, flirting, dancing and drinking. And little old her, bracing against the wall.          

            ‘Hurry up and save me, Avery.’         

            “Heyyy, Billie! Is that you!”

            She turned to the guy shouting at her over the loud music and internally groaned. His fluffy, blonde hair is instantly recognizable. Florence.

            And what does he mean “Is that you?”? How dare he! She was barely wearing any damn makeup!  

            “Yeah, it’s me! Why ask?” she held back a lot of snark. Avery told her bad things about this guy. Something about him leaking this girl’s “photos”. And something else about him being a rake. His nice persona is all fake.

            “Well, it’s just I never see you dress like this! It’s always jeans, you know! It suits you!”

“Uh huh.” Florance only had a blood-stained T-shirt and make-up that made him look sick or dead. She wishes he was the latter.  

“Where’s Avery?! I almost never see you without him!”

            “I’m waiting for him, actually!”

            “Alright, cool! Wanna get outside in the meantime?! It's kind of hard to hear you proper—” he looked up with wide eyes and at the same time, Billie felt someone tap her shoulder.

            She turned around and her heart leapt when she saw Avery’s dark, straight hair in its distinct wolf-cut.

            “Mind if I steal her for a bit!” Avery said, close enough for them both to hear.

            “Um…” Florence couldn’t find the words.

            “Sure, Avery. I’d love to come.”

            And they headed out from the noise.

            “Were you seriously talking with that guy?” Avery asked when they made it some way near the gate, where the noise wasn’t so harsh.

            “What? No, of course not! He came up to me! Like, he was totally trying to hit on me too! But I didn’t encourage it!”

Avery laughed. A deep chuckle that had her a second from quaking.

“You’re a good girl, Bill.”

“Hehe…” Bill… it’s not a good nickname by all means, but Billie liked it when he called her that. “How’s it been? I didn’t expect you to come.”

He was so late.

“I was putting together my outfit. Couldn’t decide on my look.”

Oh yes, his outfit! God, it was gorgeous!

It was something out of a fantasy book. A shirt with layers of sheer, dark purple cloth and jewelry embedded on the collar. The sheer long sleeves had rhinestones that fit his toned arms so well.

“I love it! What’re you supposed to be? Some kind of prince or something?”

“Well… more of an enchanter. How about you?”

“A… a witch.”

“Really? You sure you didn’t just pick the first black thing in your closet?”

“Oops… you caught me.” Billie joked. But seriously, maybe a witch hat would’ve done but that would just mess up her hair. Plus, why waste my meager money on a hat that she’ll probably only use once?! “This is actually my first Halloween party. I didn’t plan on doing anything elaborate.”

He laughed.

“It’s fine. It still looks really pretty on you.”

Pretty, huh? Oh, she just knew it. Avery thought she was pretty. God, he definitely liked her, didn’t her? She knew it The signs were all there!

“O-Oh... Thank you.” she said, as if she wasn't having an embarrassingly childish internal meltdown.

“Yeah, you did well with what you had. I’m guessing they don’t have Halloween in Trinidad?”

“Nope, not really.”

“Well, I’m glad you get to enjoy it.” he sighed and looked up. “Halloween nowadays is just used to sell candy, tacky yard decorations and waste your time at parties like this. But it’s more than that. It’s significant, it’s mystical. The time of year where the veil between our world and others is oh so thin.”

“Yeah, the transition of Summer to Winter and all that, right?” Oh, Avery. He’d always go on these talks about Celtic stuff. They both did share some history and classic civilization classes together, so it was often warranted. Gods, ghosts, fairies and everything mysterious and traditional. But she always hung onto every word. He’s really into it, so naturally, she’s into it. 

“Of course, you get it! Back then, people used to be terrified of slipping away from earth. Now everyone’s so carefree it’s obnoxious.”

Billie nodded.

“Anyway… I think there’s a gazebo at the back or something.  We can use some time alone.” He had glanced somewhere, and when Billie followed his gaze there was a couple that was making out somewhere nearby.

“Ick, you’re right. Let’s go.”

He took her hand and began leading her to the back. She tensed. Her hand felt warm. She couldn’t believe this! He’s holding her hand! He’s holding her hand—

But then he stops. Billie almost bumped into him.

“Avery?”

“What the fuck…?” That wasn’t a response to her. He was looking at the ground. And when Billie looked down, she saw it too.

There was a necklace on the ground. A blue sapphire in the shape of butterfly wings.

She waited for his next move.

He picked it up. Examining it.

“You okay, Avery…? What’s that?”

He doesn’t answer her. He had even let go of her hand, which frustrated her.

She shook him.

“Avery?”

His head shot back to her.

“Billie, how do you feel about  leaving this place?”

That’s how they ended up walking through the forest in the middle of the night. The moon’s silver rays peeked through the gaps in the canopy of trees, too scant to provide any proper light, but they had their phone flashlights illuminating the way.  

“So, what’s the deal, Avery?”

He had told her he was going to his place and of course, she followed along.

“Nothing. This is just a short cut. We’ll be there in a few.”

Short cut, huh… they’ve been walking for a good twenty minutes.

“Oh… I see. I have a lot more exploring to do around here. Haha.”

It’s nice, still. She got to be alone with Avery. He’s been holding her hand the entire time. It’s firm as he leads her. She appreciated how bigger it was compared to her, even though he was only two inches taller than her at 5 foot 9. His shoulder length hair moved ever so slightly as he walks.

It's bliss.

But after a while, he stopped. Billie took in the current surroundings. They’re in a clearing where the silver moon beams so bright that her phone’s flashlight gets eaten up.

He reached into his pocket and removed the necklace he picked up off of the floor.

He keeps staring at it…

“Hey, is everything alright?”

She really didn’t like him acting quiet.

“Sorry, everything’s fine. I was just wondering lately. What do you think of me?”

Billie was silent for a good while as her brain combusted at the question. What could she even say? ‘I really really like you?’ ‘I’m in love with you?’ ‘I’m so in love it hurts so bad?” she’s never even felt such a big crush on anyone. She’s so crazy she doesn’t care.

But when she talked all that comes out is: “W-what…?”

“How do you feel about me?” He turned to her. He’s so close. His dark eyes swallow the moonlight as he looked into her own.

“I… y-you’re a friend. A really good friend.” That was a lie. He was about 50% of her friends. The dormmates that she hardly saw didn’t count.   

“Are you sure that’s all?”

What was he doing? Why was he asking this question? She can’t even talk, lest she scream. So she looked away and just nodded slowly.

“That’s a shame…”

He holds the necklace and gives it one last glance.

“Take this. It’s yours to keep.” After he thrusted it into her hand, and she stare it down. On second glance, this isn’t a sapphire at all. When she looked closely, a whole host of colours reflected in the moonlight. Red, orange, green, violet, pink… some hints of white, even. this was an opal! And the most stunning one she’s ever seen in her life!

“It’s beautiful! Is it yours? You kind of just picked it up from the floor of the party.”

“I bought it recently. And I dropped it. It was for you.”

Billie’s heart pounded a little faster.

“For me?” she looked back at the jewel again, taking a newfound fondness to it. “Thank you. I love it.”

“I’m glad.”

‘What is this? First he calls me pretty, then he leads me into the woods, then he asks me how I feel about him and now he gives me this?’

Now I feel bad for lying.

This can’t mean…

“Avery, look… I have something to—”

“Now listen to how I feel about you.”

She felt him lift her chin and then a soft feeling on her lips. She looked at him, wide-eyed.

He’s kissing her.

He’s kissing her.

Her.

Her.

Her.

Was this a dream?

But it’s such a nice one…

She closed her eyes and kissed back. His lips moved against hers so gently. They’re so warm. So soft. Like a rose. She tried to be a good kisser, tried to move hers in tandem to his.

He broke away.

This is might just be her first kiss.

“I-I-I…” she couldn’t talk. What was that about? “D-do you like me?”

He smiled.

She was about to open her mouth to speak, when a sudden wind picked up and blew her hair into her face.

When she moved all the strands from her face, a bright light caused her to blink rapidly. How did the moon get so blinding?  

Her mouth gaped open.

“What the…”

That’s not the moonlight.

The floor beside her looked like a lightshow in the shape of butterfly wings. It had dimension, and shape. A kaleidoscope. A pond of blue intermingling with a rainbow of colours.  

“Avery what is that?”

She stepped back, but he gripped her shoulders. Hard.

“I think you deserve the truth, Billie. I don’t really like you. Not even as a friend.”

Her heart shattered. When she looked at him, she could only focus on how eerily the blue light reflected in his eyes. It made their honey hazel more green, greener than all the lime flecks of colour she saw whenever she looked into them.  

“What…?” Her eyes burned with oncoming tears. 

His own eyes weren’t even full of hatred or disgust. They were cold.

“Look, you’re okay. Maybe I would’ve been into that clingy, overbearing, obsessive bullshit when I was younger, but I’m tired of it.”   

She felt a hard shove throw off her balance and she toppled over.

“WHAT THE F- AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH—“ Her screams hurt her ears as she fell. But she never hit the floor. She fell inside of the light. Falling and falling into the spiral of blinding, nauseating colours.   

The last words she ever heard from Avery rang so sickly in her head. It wasn’t even the words themselves. It was the way he said them.

“So long, Billie.”