Shadows & Voices — Jason Ellis

There is another world, a hidden world, where familiarity meets the unusual. I expect many of you have caught glimpses of places which are usually, and purposely, concealed, correct? I know I have. -- Let us meet young Holly Silverstone, the girl who saw daisies turn to butterflies ... who dreamt of places that she has never been to ... who is invited to study at the elusive and enchanting Highlands Academy of truth and excellence. -- The voices will come, one thousand and one, the voices will come. Fear is the key, fear to see. The voices will come, one thousand and one, the voices will come. -- She unfolded the single piece of paper that she found inside. What is this? Holly's name had been written across the top in dark ink. The letters were calligraphic, with flourishes swirled beautifully on the paper, but there were no other words at all. As Holly took a sip of her tea and held the piece of paper between her fingers, veins of ink slowly crept across the paper. She wanted to drop it and scream. A more powerful part of her made the fingers on her hand grasp the letter even tighter, though, and her eyes opened wider with shock. The ink seeped and whirled around, forming words. We have a question for you, Holly. Do you want to know how the daisies turned to butterflies?