Kingdom: Another World

Chapter 2: Did I go to a wrong studio?

“Ugh!” I groaned as I stomped my foot. “How the hell could this happen - ?” I said and continued to walk, my whole body filled with mud.

She laughed. “That’s not my fault if you fell in a quagmire.” she said and laughed again when she saw my face scrunched up in anger and disgust. “So stupid – “ she added.

“I heard that!” I said and glared at her.

We’re walking in a forest, looking for a river or waterfall. How could this happen? It was just my usual day and I’m on my way to my photoshoot…

Flashback

“Ah - !” I exclaimed when I burned my finger. “Ow…!” I cried and blew it. My phone rang. “Yes - ?”

“Yelene! Where are you - ?!” it is Phoebe. 

“Yes, yes! I’m coming - !” I said and took the sandwich. I grabbed my back pack and put on my mask and eyeglasses. I combed my hair up on my forehead. “What studio again - ?”I said and grabbed my bike. 

“Studio 3, Yelene. So, get your ass here now – “

“Yes, yes!” I said and ended the call before I  started to pedal. I put my phone in my jacket and went out the gate to the main street. “Damn it! Better hurry, or – “ I said and pedaled faster. 

---

“Crap, crap, crap - !” I muttered as I parked my bike and ran towards the building. 

“Oh, Yelene …?” the guard said. 

“Shh!” I said and put my finger between my lips. 

He laughed. “Yeah, yeah. You’re late again. Hurry now or your manager – “ he said and stopped when I made a ‘shh’ sound again. He just laughed. 

I smiled and ran again. “Err…” I said, looking at my phone. “What studio was it again?” I said, taking off my disguise. I saw a female staff member pass by me and her jaw dropped when she saw me. “2, 3?” I mutter, walking around and putting on my backpack, scarf and glasses. “3!” I said and brushed my hair up. I took a deep breath before I turned the doorknob. “Sorry I’m la – eh?” I said. “Did I go to the wrong studio - ?” I said, looking at the green floor and flying insects around. 

There were vines and tall grasses there were also wild flowers around. 

“What … the heck is this?” I said and closed the door behind me. “Err, guys?” I called. “Could this be the theme for my photoshoot today?” I muttered and walked inside. “Guys?” I called, looking around. “Where are you?” I said. “What – “ I said while brushing off the grasses on my way. “Hey, guys! What – “ my jaw dropped when I brushed off the grass. “What the hell – “ I said as I looked at a big city down from the slope. “What is this?” I muttered as I saw a giant castle in the center of the city. “Is this… Atlantis? But Atlantis is underwater, so – “ I said, looking around. “What - ?!” I said when I looked back and saw the door was gone. “What – hey!” I said and looked for the door. “Where did it go - ?” I said, brushing off the grass to search for the door. “Where – ah.” I said when my foot slipped. “s**t – “ I said and I rolled down the hill. “Ack! Agh!” I cried as my body hit rocks. “Ugh!” I said when I hit the foot of the hill. “Crap.” I said, getting up. “Oww!” I cried when I touched my shoulder. “This would leave a mark.” I said. 

Phoebe, as well as Celestine, will definitely scold her again. 

“Where’s the ointment – crap!” I cursed when I remembered I dropped my bag when I slipped. I tried to stand up, but my knee hurt. “s**t! Did I dislocate it - ?” I said, then tried to stand up again. “s**t! Where am I now?” is said, looking around. I limp as I walk. “Damn it.” I said as my knee hurts every time I take a step. “Where should I go now – ah.” I said, and noticed that the ground felt suddenly smooth. I looked at my feet. “Oh, s**t – “ I said as my body sank. “I’m screwed.” I said. I fell on a quagmire. “Wha… help!” I screamed. “Help!” I called. My head is now buried under the quagmire. “Mmph!” my voice is muffled. 

My hand grasped a vine. Yes! I thought and pulled my body towards the vine. I gasped for breath when my head came out. 

“Ngh!” I cried as I pulled out my body. “Almost… there!” I said as my lower body came out. “Ah!” I said, panting, when my feet were the only ones left. I laid down on my back on the ground and caught my breath. My whole body is full of mud. “This is… the worst day… ever - !” my hand touched a wire. “This can’t be - ! I said when I was suddenly wrapped in a net. My head hit the tree’s branch so hard where the net was hanged. “Oww - !” I cried and touched my head. My face went pale when I saw red. “This can’t be – “ I said, then my consciousness faded out. 

Flashback end

When I woke up, I saw her face. She told me he laid that trap to catch wild animals. “Damn you. If it weren’t for you, my head won’t be cut open – “ I said, frowning as I walked, limping.

“You’re exaggerating!” she protested. Her beautiful silver eyes are wide and round, and her long, silver hair is fluttering on her back. “And I already told you that was for wild animals!” she told her.

I didn’t answer since I was too tired. I continued to walk. She followed me quietly.

---

“Woah! So beautiful!” I exclaimed when I saw a waterfall. I immediately started to take off my clothes, preparing to bathe on the clear and cold water.

“Is this your first time to see – “ I heard her say behind me. However, her words were cut short when she saw my exposed skin. She blushed and she immediately looked away.

“Don’t underestimate me! I’ve even seen the biggest waterfall in the world – “ I said.

She didn’t answer and just turned around. “Don’t underestimate her? When she fell on a quagmire – pft!” she muttered and snickered.

“Hey!” I said, then rolled my eyes. I turned my back to her and looked at the water. “It’s so clear I could see my face – “ I said.

“Ugly face.” She said and snickered. I glared at her. “What? You’re all covered with mud, so anyone should be ugly if he was covered with – “

I rolled my eyes and jumped on the water. Ah… this feels good. I thought and swam. The mud takes off my clothes and skin as I swim. I saw the water rippled. Must be her. I thought. I swam toward the surface. “Ah!” I said and flipped my wet hair. “What? I’m taking off the mud – “ I stopped when I saw her. She looked frozen while staring at me. “What?” I asked.

She shook his head. “N – Nothing.” She said, looking away. Her ears and cheeks are red.

My forehead knotted. “Anyway, do you have any extra clothes?” I asked. She nodded, still looking away. “Can you lend me some? My clothes are torn.” I said. She nodded. “Thanks.” I said and swam again.

---

“This is your house?” I asked when I saw a door on the trunk of a big tree.

“For a week.” she answered as she opened the door and entered.

“Huh?” I followed her inside.

“I’m a traveler. I just got here for a week. I chose to stay for a while here before I go to the capital.” She explained.

“Capital?” I asked.

She nodded. “Yeah.” She handed me her clothes. “Here.” she said.

“Thanks.” I said and took it. I put it on the bed and took off my shirt. I heard her gasp. “What?” I asked, taking off my shirt.

She shook her head. “N – no…” she said, then turned her back to me. Her ears are as red as an apple.

“Are you…” I said, walked to her. “Shy?” I said and smiled. She didn’t turn nor answered. I sighed, then grabbed her shoulders and I heard her gasp. I turned her to me. “Hey, listen – “ I said. Her gaze went from my face, to my upper body. I’m half-naked since I took off my shirt, but my bra is still covering my chest. Her face went redder. I sighed. “Listen. We’re both girls, okay? So, it’s just normal – “ I said.

She closed her eyes tight as she cut me off, as if she didn’t hear what I said. “I – It’s not! In our kingdom!” she said.

My eyebrows raised. “Hmm? Your kingdom?” I asked. She nodded. “There are kingdoms here?” I asked.

She looked at me. “You… don’t know?” she asked. I shook my head. Her eyes went wide. “Wha… from where did you come from why didn't you know this country has kingdoms?” she asked.