Chapter 4

Iris

“A parallel world where colors come from. Welcome to the Realm of Hue. Now, my turn, how did you get here? ”

The three of us had our foreheads creased in confusion.

"We also don't know. There was just a sudden earthquake and when we open our eyes, we're already here. "Sage answered the leader. I, on the other hand, tried to solve the riddle on why we are here. What was I doing before I got here. What is the piece missing. There should have been a reason why there was a sudden earthquake and why we're the only ones here. It meant the earthquake only happened in our location, and it didn't effect the others. How?

"Nonsense. The only way to get in and out of here is through the portal. And one, the portal is guarded by the Whites, and two, the portal is not even here. Which is also-"

"A mystery. " I continued her words. She glared at me.

"Yes, a mystery. "My eyes widen. The book.

"Lady Canary! " One yellow man walked up to her and whispered words that brought panic to the leader's eyes. She stared at us for a whole minute as if having second thoughts whether what to do with us. Finally, she heave a big sigh and gave a sign to her guards which the latter walked up to us and suddenly lifted us up. Oh, did I not mention that most of her guards looked like bouncers from a club?! The three of us panicked as three guards lifted each of us.

"Hey, hey, hey, what's happening?! Put us down! "Sage yelled as he try to struggle away from the bouncer's grip but to no avail.

"Are they going to have us for dinner? "Skye fearfully muttered, which was ridiculous but somehow possible. But I doubt that. They walked towards the forest where they came from and instead of squirming, I look at Canary who was just behind us.

"What's happening? Where are you taking us? "

"The white guards are on their way for weekly inspection. "

"Inspection of what? "

"Colors. As you may have inevitably notice, we are surrounded with nothing but the color yellow. This is nothing like your world where colors combine. All is separated. With walls, borders, or lines. And no person with their designated colors are allowed to leave or enter another side of colors. Once spotted, you will be thrown to the place of outcast and lose the chance to visit the Outside world. Your world. Or they might take you in as slaves. Or worse, death. "I understood her words but it only arose more questions.

"So you are not allowed to interact with other colors? "

"The only chance we are allowed to interact with other colors is in the annual yearly ball where everyone is required to attend. Or, if the Queen of Whites, Queen Ivory holds a meeting for all leaders of the Hues like us. "I stood silent as I try to understand and analyze all the words she was saying. I know this is real but I'm still finding it difficult to accept that this is really real. How can I be sure that this is not a dream.

I tried to wipe my eyes with the back of my hands, still trying to wake myself up if possible.

"You don't believe me, do you? "

"No, no, I believe you. I'm just finding it hard to believe myself either. More because we are being carried like a sack of rice. "It's been a while since I'm trying to stop myself from getting sick because this is not a very comfortable position, I'm telling you.

"I agree. "Sage sickly butted in.

"Can't you, perhaps, put us down. Because you can see, that we also have legs, and that we know we cannot run to escape as we do not know where escape is. "Canary just rolled her eyes at me and shook her head. Aww, darn it.

"Later. And if I were you, I might want to hold on tight because you'll never know when will Go drop you. "

"What? What are you--"We suddenly

halted, for what reason? I don't know. All I see is the yellow grass and Go's butt. But I do hear the strong sound of water gushing down as if it's coming from a...

"It's a golden waterfall. "I hear Skye's voice in awe. What? Wait, they aren't going to throw us there, right?

"Yes, it's just as what you think, we're going to throw you there. "Canary blurted as if reading my mind. We were suddenly engulfed with panic.

"F*ck, let us go! "

"I don't want to die! "

"Wait, what?! You can't throw us there! Why even?! "

"You'll know once you're there. Go, Larry, Heis, hurry and throw them. I can hear the whites coming, it's done for us once they saw them. "Canary commanded which made the three slowly walk towards the edge of the waterfall. Go fixed the way he holds me into a bridal style, and that's where I saw the golden waterfall is. The color was enchanting as it was somehow glowing and seemed to be surrounded with glitters but the fact that it has the same intensity and speed of a normal waterfall is, I can say that it's dangerous and I would not want to jump in it even if its safe.

"No, please, Canary, don't do this. I still don't want to die. "Canary heave a sigh as she walked towards us.

"It's safe. You won't die. This is the only thing that can save your life. Trust me. "She stared at me with a reassuring smile, and I know I can see truth in her eyes.

"They're getting near. Throw them. "But in the midst of all what's happening, there was one fact that cannot be ignored.

"Canary, I might really die. "I pleaded as tearfully stared at her. She grunted in annoyance.

"Okay, that is enough. Throw them this instant. "Go readied his arms.

"I can't swim! "I yelled which turned Canary's expression into concern.

"What? "It was the last thing I heard before Go finally let me go.

It seemed like it was the longest 2.5 seconds of my life before my body finally reaches the water. I immediately opened my eyes and tried my best to swam up just so I could save myself. But I can't. Perhaps I was just too heavy. Or that I should have really learned to swim. I can feel the water filling my nose, and making it's way to my throat. It doesn't take long 'til I realized I'm drowning and I won't be able to save myself. I know Skye would be alright, he was on the swimming team, and so was Sage. If I might not make it... I hope they would.

After a few seconds, I hear a water splashing above me. I could only see a faint structure as I slowly lose my consciousness, but before I did, I felt how the man hold me and struggled to pull the both of us to the surface. I'm so guilty I cannot help him. And as we near the top, everything turned black.

°°°°°

"Noona, noona, please wake up. "I hear Skye's trembling voice. I can feel someone seemingly trying to do chest compressions on me, and then wet lips touching mine as it gives me air.

"Wake up. Don't die on me, please wake up. "I hear a familiar voice. Sage.

After a few seconds, I can feel the water rising to my throat until I coughed it all out. My eyes slowly opened and saw Skye crying, and Sage's concerned look. He slowly pulled me up to a sitting position and hugged me.

"Thank God, you're alive. "He breathed as he slowly panted. The gestures painfully made my heart flutter but as I remember our situation, I pulled back.

"Thanks. "I coldly said as I try to stand up. I cannot fall in love with him any deeper. Both of us knew our situations. Both of us knew our limitations. I walked pass him and I don't if it's an illusion, but I saw pain in his eyes. Or not, who knows.

"Noona! I thought you were going to leave me. "Skye cried as he ran to embrace me. I slowly patted his back in assurance.

"That will never happen. "

Only then did I realize that our shirts turned into yellow. So did our hair. I stood in wonder as I stare at myself in the water. How did that happ--I looked behind me and stared at the Golden Waterfall. This is how Canary wanted to save us.

We heard footsteps coming our way and I smiled, thinking it was Canary but a few white men greeted us. Contrary to the yellow people, all of them is wearing white and has white hair. It's a wonder how their hair not make them look old.

"You do know that it's inspection day, why are you not on the field? Give a valid explanation or off with your heads. "I gasped in surprised when he brought out his sword and pointed it on my neck. Sage was about to come to me when the others brought our their swords too and pointed at them. Sh*t, Skye. I stared at the man's eyes, scared on what I should answer him. One wrong word, and they can kill us. I stared into his eyes for a few seconds and saw what I saw from Canary's eyes awhile ago, it seems to glow with his matching color. I notice him staring at my eyes deeper which made me feel uneasy so I immediately avoided my gaze, scared for him to find out my identity.

"Look at me in the eyes, and answer me. "I gulped as I feel the edge of the sword on my neck.

"Noona... "

"Iris... "

"What are you doing with my people, Alvi. "Canary's voice made us feel relieved, along with her presence.

"Your people is wandering around during inspection, I should be the one asking questions. "

"I had commanded them to bring me water from the waterfall for the queen's gift. I had commanded late so they had to return late. My apologies. So if you may, please put down your swords. This is considered as an act of disrespect for the land of Golden Hue. "The guard, which is named Alvi clicked his tongue as he put down his sword. And the rest followed. I didn't realize I was holding my breath until the sword was put aside. Canary signaled us to walk to her, but I was surprised when Alvi held my arm to stop me.

"Wait, I think I've saw something different in your eyes. "All of us was immediately engulfed with panic.

"You might have seen wrong, she's one of my people. "

"Is it just me or your words seemed to be defensive. "I helplessly glanced at Canary, and saw that she was helpless too. F*ck.

End of Chapter