The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Slowly, I draw my arms back, making a mental note to be very careful. But even as I take a step backwards towards the center of the cage, I begin to put together the idea that...however Gabriel made these cages, he wasn't absolutely precise with his measurements. Instead, the cage is just...slightly smaller than the room itself. Quietly, I move around the cage, shifting back and forth between the cage and the bathroom, incredibly careful not to manifest in a weird spot.

Once I mess up and end up actually sitting in the sink instead of standing before it - but at least I didn't appear with the sink halfway through my torso or something.

But once I've made a lap of the room, I'm fairly sure of it - that Gabriel was very good at ensuring that the cage was almost precisely the size of my room - just...a little smaller. And so I shift again, going back to the Land of Darkness and pressing my face to the bars, looking beyond them.

And then I smile, because even though Gabriel was careful to build me a very precise little cage here, it's clear to me that he was sloppy elsewhere.

The more I look I see that there is indeed a wide fence all around the entire area that probably represents the outer expanse of the castle walls, so that try as I might, I can't leave the castle.

But inside all of that? Oh, there are more cages, probably serving a dozen purposes I don't understand. But they are much larger. Which means if I can just get out of this one...

Well, damn it, why not take advantage of the situation while I can? Before Gabriel locks me up even more? Because some of my people are here now, and I need to find them and get some answers. And there's surely no better time than now.

I grin, shifting back to my world and immediately moving for the door. On my way, I slip my dirty feet into a

set of cozy slippers and grab a bottle of liquid floral soap off of a shelf on the wall.

"Pippa?" I call towards the door. "I - I don't feel so good..."

Then, grimacing a little, I pull the top off the soap and pour it into my mouth.

I retch instantly at the taste and dash to the sink to spit it out. It's nothing toxic - I checked all of the ingredients of everything in this room to ensure there was nothing useful to me - but it sure tastes disgusting.

I spit the soap into the sink, gripping the edge, my stomach visibly heaving as Pippa calls my name, opening the door.

Her gasp is very gratifying as she rushes to me, even if the disgusting taste of the soap still coats my tongue. I gag again at the taste of it.

"Oh my god, Ariel!" Pippa gasps, her hands tight on my shoulders. "What's wrong?"

"Pippa," I moan, shaking my head as I turn towards her, probably over-doing the acting a little bit as I do my best to appear incredibly ill. "Please something is wrong

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"What is it!?" she gasps, getting herself under my shoulder and helping me hobble towards the main

room.

"My stomach," I moan, shaking my head. "Something's wrong!"

She begins to turn me towards my bed but I vehemently shake my head, moving us towards the door. "Oh, Ariel, you should lay down - we'll get the doctor to come -"noveldrama

"No," I cry, letting my shoulders tremble. "No time - Pippa - you have to take me to the doctor-right now!"

I allow myself to stumble dramatically over my own feet.

Pippa cries out in fear but goes with

me, her worry for me over-reaching her senses and any orders that Gabriel has given her. Because have never, ever been allowed to leave the room with anyone but

Gabriel at my side.

But my friend hauls the door open and steps out with me, looking up into my face with worry and fear.

As soon as we step into the hall I straighten up my faux aches and pains immediately gone, even if I do still have a nasty soapy taste in my mouth And then I step away from her side - not wanting to push her, but definitively needing space.

She stares at me in shock.

"Sorry, Pips," I say, heaving a little shrug. "I hope I don't get you in trouble."

And then I shift to the other world, and the freedom it offers.