Winter thought about it for a moment, "Actually, that seems kind of dangerous if someone else can get their hands on it. So how about after the list is finished, we can all memorize it and then burn it. That way, no one else can try to manipulate me." Layla narrowed her eyes, "What will you do if others try to make a list of their own?" Winter shook her head, "They won't be able to. I'm very good at controlling my emotions." She stood, "After all, the first time my eyes ever changed colors was today, because of Leo. And that's only because he can really get into people's heads." Mandy looked down, "True." Winter hugged the both of them, "Thank you for all your help. I'll see you guys tomorrow."
Winter meandered to her dorm room, exhausted. She ran her fingers over the numbers 614 before entering. She felt like she could sleep for years. Winter flopped on the bed and nearly passed out right away but her thoughts roamed. Leaving the dungeon, testing her magic, sparring, the sword, Leo, Lucas coming to her room, and the little boy from her past. She yawned, allowing her body to finally rest. Sleep claimed her.
Winter looked around, she was in the school library. She saw her three year old self running through the bookshelves. A voice called out to her, "Winter! Winter where are you?" She watched herself giggle and hide. The little boy came up behind her and hugged her, his face again was indistinguishable. She put her finger up to her lips so he wouldn't give away her position to whoever was looking for her. He nodded and she smiled brightly. Three year old Winter grabbed the boy's hand and ran towards the entrance of the secret staircase. She put her hand up and the tunnel opened, she dragged him in quietly and went down the stairs. "What is this place?" the boy asked. She beamed, "This is my secret hideout." "Secret hideout?" Tiny Winter nodded, "Only I know about this place. And now I shared my secret with you. You can't tell anyone else about it. Or else I'll never forgive you." He winced at the words, "I promise." She nodded resolutely. Winter watched as the two spent hours in the room talking, laughing, drawing. Little Winter got tired and fell asleep, her head in the boy's lap. He stared down at her, his eyes full of awe and wonder. The sight pulled at her heartstrings as the boy again whispered, "Mine." Winter knew, in that moment, that she was in love. There was no denying that this little boy was her soulmate. No matter where he was, her heart would always belong to him.
Winter opened her eyes, the satin curtains were doing their job of blocking out all light. She mulled over her dream. "So that's why I've never had a boyfriend," she snorted. Winter sat up and stretched. Feeling well rested and refreshed, she pulled open the curtains allowing the light to flood the room. She glanced at the clock, raising her eyebrows when she found that she was late. She managed to quickly take a shower and get ready. She ran to her classroom. When Mandy and Layla saw her, they jumped up, dashing over to her. "Where have you been for the past three days?" Winter stopped, "What? I've been absent for three days?" Layla sighed, "We haven't seen you since the night you left our dorm, three days ago." Mandy hugged her, "We were so worried." Layla slapped her lightly on the arm, "Where were you? The dungeon again?" Winter shrugged, "I was just sleeping in my room." They rolled their eyes, "For three days!" She chuckled, "Apparently." Winter put her hands on her hips, "Did anything happen?" Layla brushed her index finger against the tip of her nose twice, "Just the usual." Nelly Terran entered the classroom, "Everyone to your seats." Winter rose her head and sat down at her desk, glancing back at her friends before settling her eyes on Nelly. Nelly stared back at Winter for a moment, trying to communicate something Winter couldn't quite understand. She said, "Okay class. Turn to page 138, so you don't miss anything before the test." Winter flipped the pages in her book. Scribbled in the corner were the words, "Don't go to the conference room today." Winter looked back up at Nelly whose eyes met hers before she looked away to avoid suspicion. She erased the note and brushed the eraser shavings from her desk with a flick of her wrist. Winter laid her chin in her hand while she took in the view of the courtyard from the window. The bell rang and Winter got up. She gestured to Mandy and Layla. She slipped a note into Layla's hand and left, saying nothing. The note read, "Don't worry about me. I'll be back."
Winter headed over to the library. She looked behind her before opening the secret door and descending the stairs. Winter ran her hand over one of the mason jars lightly. The room was the same as it was in her dream: clean, well maintained, and undisturbed. She stood and pictured herself laying in the little boy's lap. Her heart skipped a beat and she turned away towards the table. Winter smirked when she saw that her paper was gone. That meant whoever was snooping around in here was falling straight into her trap. She sank down on the couch and sighed. Had she really been asleep for three days? It wasn't a normal sleep if it was that long. Her mind went back to her dream, the blurred face of the little boy sprung again in her mind. Winter wondered if it was her magic drawing her back to him. Then her thoughts wandered over to the note in her book. What would happen in the conference room? Now Winter knew that Nelly Terran was her ally, but who exactly was the enemy?