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“Lake, in a moment, you will be able to move,” says Alwar. “It is important that you not run from us. Do you understand? There are things beyond these walls that will harm you. Not kill, harm. Over and over again, in the worst possible way. It will make what you just went through feel like child’s play.”
Fuck. I’m in their world now. I know I am. They pulled me through that damned painting. And if I’m in their world, that means I’m currently in the presence of the Wall Men who, according to Grandma, are crueler and more dangerous than anything here.
I don’t care what Alwar says. I should run. The first chance I get. But how do I get back home?
I slowly open my eyes. The red and orange sky above slowly comes into focus along with three big men standing over me.
Holy shit! My heart slams against my rib cage, pumping terror-laced adrenaline through my veins. These men are not simply big. They’re over fifty feet tall.
And those muscles I saw on the canvas? Before I described them as large, but their biceps are like tanks. Their feet are twice the length of my entire body.
They are not men. They aren’t even Wall Men. They’re Wall Giants.
Oh God. The Wall Men are monsters, too. It suddenly makes sense to me—the fear in Grandma Rain’s eyes when she died. If this is the size of the creatures in their world, we humans would be screwed if they attacked. We’d be defenseless.
I blink up at Alwar, knowing he could crush me with one stomp. “What do you-you want?” I mutter my words.
“Do you hear her, Alwar?” Tiago says, sneering down at me. “So pathetic and weak. Just like her mother.”
My mother? Is this what happened to her?
My heart aches, vacillating between the deepest sorrow and the darkest rage. I’ve learned to bury my emotions about my parents’ disappearance over the years, but this is forcing things to the surface.
“Her mother was frightened and ran,” Gabrio lectures. “Took us days to find her. I urge you both to remember your human manners. We cannot afford to lose this one.”
“I will not perform niceties for this little monkey,” growls Tiago. “She is in our world now. It is she who should adjust. Otherwise, she will not survive.”
Survive what?
Alwar growls and looks down at me with his intense sapphire blue eyes. “Kindness and civility are frowned upon here, as is showing weakness. You will act accordingly.”
Did he just order me to pretend like I’m not scared out of my mind?
Alwar turns to Tiago. “And Gabrio is right, Tiago; you will not frighten her.”
“So what if I do?” Tiago asks.
“She is not your toy,” Alwar replies, giving Tiago a push.
“Then whose?” Tiago asks, losing his patience with a roaring voice.
The two men begin yelling, their booming voices deafening in my ears.
I’m about to piss myself, but I have to be strong and make a run for it while they’re distracted. I’m not about to sit around, waiting to find out what they plan to do with me. I know it can’t be good.
I get to my feet and am about to run, but we’re in a courtyard, enclosed on all four sides by gray stone blocks. One of the walls is taller than the rest, reaching so high it disappears into the red and orange sky. Opposite the towering wall, which appears to stretch endlessly on both sides as well, is an enormous gate made of solid steel.
I swallow my panic. I’m too small to climb my way out of here. I’m completely closed in.
“I will not warn you again, Tiago,” Alwar roars. “You are to treat her with respect. You will ensure she is guarded and taken care of.”
Tiago bows his head in submission. I’m getting the impression that the rules of communication are not the same in these lands. I already know that kindness and civility are frowned upon. Rules of Monsterland.
“I must leave now,” Alwar says. “I must issue my formal challenge to the Blood King.” He points a finger in Tiago’s face and then Gabrio’s. “I am placing my trust in you both. Do not disappoint me.”
Alwar turns for the gate.
“Wait!” I say. “You can’t leave me here.” That Tiago seems like he wants to floss his teeth with me.
Alwar looks down at me—the only way he can, I suppose. I’m the size of a Chihuahua compared to him. “You will do as you are told, human.”
“I won’t sit here and wait to be pulled apart like a roasted chicken and eaten for dinner by your henchmen.”
He leans down, bringing our faces closer. I can’t breathe. I’ve never seen anything like him. His face and head are huge. Each strand of his long dark beard is the thickness of cooked spaghetti.
