her was the warm thought of the upcoming ordeal, which she had been waiting for so long. After doing her homework, Sofia wrapped herself in a plaid, took a book, and, sitting down in her favorite chair, plunged into the sweet world of knights and adventures.
The next day passed without any incident. Everyone at school already knew that Sofia, Karolina, Mikhail and Agatha were participating in some kind of experience. The students were very interested in learning the details, but the four participants themselves did not really know anything.
At Sofia's house, everything was as usual – bad. Parents do not pay any attention to the children, as if they do not exist at all, Alice teases her sister with a rat, and Sofia comforts herself only with books. Sofia didn't want to stay at home for long, so she started going out earlier than usual and coming in later. When she was at home, she tried to sit in her room doing something interesting. In the evening, just before the test, Sofia fell asleep with one thought – what awaits her tomorrow? Maybe she will finally be able to sort herself out, in her feelings, emotions and relationships with the people around her? Anything is possible, anything is possible...
Chapter 3
A new day is a responsible day. Sofia woke up three hours before the main event. All the feelings were mixed up in her – joy, sadness, excitement. What awaits her ahead? For some reason, it seemed to her that after that day she would no longer be able to live the way she had lived before.
Half an hour before the start of the event, the girl was already at school. There she saw her three partners – Mikhail, Agatha and Caroline. All three were with their parents, and she was alone. However, she always came to all the events alone. It was terribly insulting to watch all your friends and classmates standing with their parents, happy and contented, while you stood like an orphan and tried to smile as cheerfully as possible so that no one would guess that you were feeling bad and would not start feeling sorry for you. More than anything, Sofia was afraid of pity. It seemed to her that if you were pitied, then you were just a weak person. Sofia came up to them. Mikhail and Agatha were delighted, but Caroline was not very pleased with Sofia's appearance. She saw her as the main rival. What is Mikhail? What about Agatha? They're just pawns in a big game. But Sofia is another matter. She could easily take Caroline's place first. That's what Sofia was going to do.
Finally, the bell rang, inviting everyone to the school's concert hall. There was already some kind of apparatus on the stage that no one had seen before, and next to it, on a chair, sat a medium-sized man – a scientist.
- I will ask the participants of the experiment to go on stage!- The headmistress's voice rang out.
The guys climbed onto the stage on bent legs. Sofia was overcome by a feeling of approaching, long-awaited happiness.
- Now I will explain everything to our participants and, of course, to the audience, - said the scientist, who got up from his seat when the guys went up on stage, - This machine will send you to some unfamiliar space, and there you have to complete a number of tasks. This experience will show how well you can think in unusual conditions for you. There is only one, but the biggest rule is that you must not go beyond the playing field! The playing field is a house, but you should never go outside! Once you complete all the tasks, the game will automatically send you to the real world, or you can return yourself by simply saying that you want to exit. Do you understand everything?
The guys nodded. All four of them were pale. The scientist motioned for them to sit on chairs, and his assistants began to install something on their heads.
- Everything that happens to you in the game will be broadcast on this screen, - he gestured at the huge screen behind the guys, - I repeat once again – do not leave the field, otherwise you will not be able to leave the game until you complete it all.
It took at least an hour until all the devices were ready. Before departure, the scientist reminded the rules once again and pressed the button.
…
Sofia opened her eyes. Where is she? The girl was lying in a room. She propped herself up on one elbow and looked around. The room was definitely familiar to her, but she couldn't remember where she could have seen it. Sofia got up and went to the window. Nothing is visible – just darkness. But if it's just darkness, then why does it attract her so much? The girl pressed her nose against the window, but still saw nothing new. Then she decided to leave the room. Behind the door there was again a familiar corridor. When she went downstairs, she saw her friends.
- Well, finally!- said Caroline, - We started to think that you were scared and had already left the game.
-I never have, but you can," Sofia said, -What are our assignments?
-Look, we've already read everything while you were gone,- Mikhail said, handing the sheet to his friend.
There was only one phrase: "Find a yellow flower."
- Pfft! - Sofia grinned, - You're kidding me! It can't be that what I've been dreaming about for so long ended with a simple flower! I want more.
-If you don't want to play, come out,- Caroline replied.
-Let's go outside the field,- Sofia suddenly suggested.
- What are you doing! You can't! -Agatha exclaimed, who had been sitting silently on the sofa until now, - You heard what they said.
- I don't care. This is not what I dreamed of, I want more,- Sofia said stubbornly.
- Don't even think about it!- Mikhail supported Agatha.
-Okay, okay,- Sofia muttered, so as not to listen to the lectures.
The guys started looking for a flower. They found clues and riddles in different rooms, but they easily solved them. All this time, Sofia was haunted by the windows. Every now and then she peered into the darkness. The desire to get out was getting stronger by the second. The search for the flower was no longer interesting to her. Finally, desire took over. Sofia decided to go beyond the playing field. Telling her friends that she would look for clues downstairs, Sofia went away. The girl quickly walked through several rooms, leaving the doors open behind her, but finally, the cherished exit to the street in front of her. Sofia was standing in front of the door. What awaits her there, on the street? Happiness or sorrow? Good luck or bad luck? "We live once!"- Sofia thought, finally deciding to go out and see what is outside the field. The girl's gaze fell on a woolen cape hanging on a hanger, and she hurried to throw it over her shoulders. Sofia went to the door and pulled the handle. It's closed! "Damn it!" thought Sofia. She urgently needs to find the key. But where can I find him? Suddenly Sofia remembered that this game involves the use of logic. "Where would I hide the key?" she asked herself. The answer immediately came to mind – the buffet. In the cupboard in the living room, she actually found a large, brass key. "How interesting everything works here,"- Sofia thought, and, taking the key, went back to the door. One, two, three– the door is open... Sofia went out into a small room – a terrace. There was another door, but it was no longer locked. The terrace windows are frozen, so it's winter outside. After a little thought, Sofia decided that first she needed to scout the situation from here, and only then go out, especially since it was already possible to see at least something except pitch darkness in these windows. She blew on the window, and a small thaw formed in place of the ice. The girl looked out, but it was still hard to see something. Then she decided that she would go outside right away. Opening the door, Sofia saw that there was nothing terrible behind it, on the contrary, it was beautiful outside, as in a dream. It looked like an ordinary winter courtyard, but all the most fabulous fantasies seemed to come to life in it: the snow on the ground shimmered with the brightest colors, and the sky was strewn with big stars. It's magical!"- thought Sofia, walking slowly along the snow-covered paths. This was what she had been dreaming about for so long. This was the world that she had imagined in her dreams and dreamed of in the most wonderful fantasies. The courtyard stretched away into the distance. There was nothing in sight ahead, but that couldn't stop Sophia. She walked forward, not thinking at all about what was waiting for her, she just walked. Soon, she reached the end of the yard, where she saw a high fence, and behind it a dense, dark forest. Sofia looked up at the sky, strewn with stars, the forest, the shiny snow. She suddenly realized clearly that there was real freedom behind this fence. The yard, behind the fence of which she was, seemed to her like a cage, although a minute ago she had considered it the limit of her dreams. How strange it is...
- Sofia! What are you doing!? You are completely out of your mind! - Caroline's familiar sharp voice was heard. Sofia had to turn around. All three of her companions hurried towards her, completely oblivious to the wondrous beauty around them.
- What? I just went out,- Sofia said, turning her gaze back to the forest, -It's so nice here.
-It's not good,- Mikhail said, -It's dark and dangerous. Let's go back. We've already found the flower, and it's time for us to go home.
- No!- Sofia exclaimed. Mikhail's words hit her like an electric shock, -I don't want to. I'll go on,- Sofia pointed to the forest.
Caroline, Mikhail, and Agatha's eyes widened. Now they were finally convinced that Sofia had gone mad.
- Well, go!- said Caroline, - And we, like normal people, will go back!
Sofia did not pay attention to these words, because the only thing she was thinking about was the forest. Then, having made sure that Sofia intended to stay, all three turned around and walked back. Sofia went further. She saw a small line near the fence, and without thinking twice, stepped over it. A small mouse-like creature immediately appeared nearby. Sofia jumped back.
- Who are you?- Sofia asked.
- The question is who are you?- The creature replied, - And I am a guardian fairy. I'm guarding the entrance.
- Where to?- Sofia asked.
-It doesn't matter,- the fairy said sternly, -So why are you here and what’s your name?
-Sofia,- the girl said, -I'm from the real world.
- The real world?- the fairy asked, frowning, - So it does exist after all. I thought it was a fairy tale, but since you say you're from there, then, I'll believe you. Well, where are you going, Sofia?
- I don't know, - the girl answered honestly, because she didn't even think where she could get to, - But where can I go?
- There are only two ways here – there and from there, - said the fairy, - Do you want to go back to your world or go through that door?
- No! You don't need to come into my world, I've already seen enough of it and I don't want to anymore. I want to enter your world.
-But you don't even know what awaits you there,- the creature grinned.
- I don't care! I will overcome all obstacles!- Sofia said bravely.
- Well, that's your business. Then agree to the game, but remember that you can't get out.
The fairy clicked her fingers, and a button appeared in front of Sofia. The girl confidently pressed "Play".
- The game has started. The first test is to get out of here!- With that, the guard disappeared.
At first, Sofia couldn’t understand anything, she thought that the elf would open the doors for her or carry her over the fence with the help of magic. Suddenly, somewhere in the distance, a heart-rending scream was heard. The girl ran to the place where she came from. Mikhail, Agatha and Caroline were standing near the door. It turned out that Caroline was screaming.
- What did you do!? You fool!- Caroline shouted when she saw Sofia.
-First of all, explain what happened and why you attacked me,- Sofia asked.
- The door..., -Mikhail groaned, sliding to the ground.
- What's the door? I don't understand,- Sophia said.
- Try to open it!- Caroline shouted.
Sofia went to the door and tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge. She pulled the handle a couple more times, and finally made sure that it was locked, turned to her partners.
-I definitely didn't lock it,- she began to justify herself.
- Of course, you fool, you didn't lock it! -Caroline said.
-Caroline wanted to say that the door was really open when we left,- Agatha said quietly.
- But then, when you agreed to some stupid adventure, it slammed shut!- Caroline said.
Mikhail was silent all this time. He was pale. "I want to go home! Will I stay here forever? Mom! Mommy, save me! We're going to die!"- he thought. Mikhail was not used to such conditions, as his mother always kept him under her wing: she accompanied him to school, brought food and even packed a briefcase. Mikhail couldn't do anything at all, just play computer games. There was no limit to his panic.
-There is no way back,- Sofia said seriously, -We can't help participating.
- Oh, really!?- Caroline quipped.
-Sofia is right,- Agatha intervened, -As much as we don't want to accept this fact, Caroline, we have no other choice.
Caroline just snorted. Suddenly, out of nowhere, another creature appeared with a scroll of parchment. The friends fell silent, and the creature unfolded the document and began reading:
- You are the players. Sofia is a brave heart, Agatha is an all-powerful fairy, Caroline is a princess of the cross and Mikhail is a great musician. As players, you are offered a choice of things and weapons. You can take whatever you see fit.
The creature disappeared, and a pile of various things appeared in front of the guys. Sofia was the first to approach the things.
-If we're playing, we're going to need a weapon for self-defense,- she said.
There was no way out, so Agatha, Mikhail and Karolina began to choose comfortable clothes and weapons. Soon everyone was ready: Sofia chose light but reliable armor, a sword, a shield and a dagger, Caroline took a pale pink dress, a tiara, managed to build a beautiful hairstyle, picked up shoes and found a shiny and very elegant sword, Agatha chose a simple but beautiful dress, comfortable shoes and a wand. Mikhail couldn't decide for a long time what to take, because his mother usually did it. Finally, he chose a ridiculous green suit, a pipe, a bow and arrows, as he considered them the safest weapons, and put a bright red beret on his head. By the time he made his choice, the girls were already discussing how to get out of this garden. Caroline suggested just climbing over the fence, but it turned out to be not so easy. When Sofia tried to climb over, an invisible force pushed her away. What should they do? It took at least three hours until the guys, already desperate to get out of here, heard wild screams. Mikhail rushed over the wall of the house, and the girls hurried after him.
Sofia carefully poked her head out to see what was going on. Brooms, on which the witches of the forest were sitting, landed on the place where they had just been sitting. The oldest and most twisted witch ordered the fire to be lit and the brooms removed. Soon, when everything was ready, the witches sat around the campfire and began to discuss something.
- What are they talking about?- Sofia heard a voice in her ear. She looked back. Agatha was sitting next to her and was also watching the witches.
-I can't hear anything from here,- Sofia replied, -I'll try to crawl closer.
-Be careful,- Agatha said after her.
Softly, Sofia crawled out of hiding. There was a barn next to the house. It was much closer to the haunt of the witches, so Sofia decided that it would be better to hear there. Very quickly and quietly, she crawled up to the barn and hid in its shadow. She turned out to be right, it was very good to hear here. Sofia was very lucky, the main witch was the closest, and she spoke mostly.
- They say that strangers have arrived in our country. There are rumors that these are the ones mentioned in the prophecy,- she said.
- The prophecy!- Another witch exclaimed.
- That's it. The whole royal court is on its ears. Which side will these newcomers choose? No one knows what they have in mind,- the witch continued
-So they need to be neutralized,- guessed the witch sitting next to the main one.
- What did you think! Are we just flying around these yards for the third day? No, my dears, we were instructed to find them. They couldn't get out of here that fast, and we grabbed them, and that was it.
-Kill them?- The witch asked hopefully sharpening a knife all this time.
- Well, why is that? No, we were told to take them to Her Majesty's court, and there they decide for themselves,- explained the main witch, -And now – to sleep! We're leaving in an hour, we need to rest.
The witches put out the fire and went to bed. Sofia waited until the snoring was heard, and then got out of her hiding place and ducked behind the house, where her friends were already waiting for her.
- Well?- Mikhail asked at once.
-I think they're looking for us,- Sofia said,- Although, of course, I could be wrong.
The girl briefly told what she had heard. Agatha shook her head and said:
- No matter who they talk about, we have to leave here for now. These witches are not friendly at all.
- Yes, but how do we get out of here?- Caroline asked anxiously.
-On brooms,- Sofia replied, looking at the neatly folded witch's brooms.
- You're crazy! We'll wake them all up! And then we'll definitely be in trouble,- Mikhail said.
- Mikhail, we have no other choice, - Sofia explained, - We have to try.
-But we don't know how to control them,- Mikhail continued. He really didn't want to fly on such dubious objects.
- We'll figure it out on the way! Understand, either we will be caught here and we will not even try to escape, or we will run away and we may not be caught. What do you choose?- Sofia
