Page 52 of Barbi and the Villain

“Wait! Wait! That’s not the only reason.”

He stops. He tilts his head to the side, waiting for my explanation.

“I don’t know anyone here. Well, aside from stupid Jocelyn and psycho Damien, but we’ve all seen how that turned out. I thought they could help me get back home, but instead, they decided to sacrifice me for whatever pagan ritual they had going.”

“Home?” he inquires.

I nod fervently as I slide closer to him.

“You might not believe me, but I’m not from this world. I don’t even know how I got here. One moment I was in my room, the next I was in a field in Akkaya, and then I came across a plagued village and I almost died, and then those pesky soldiers captured me and I almost died again.” I let out a big sigh. “I’ve had no rest from almost dying in two days!”

“Another world, you say?” He narrows his eyes at me. “Hmm…” He taps his finger against his chin pensively. “That makes sense.”

“What makes sense?” I suddenly ask.

“Your strange manner.” He chuckles. “You are a strange one, indeed,” he muses, almost to himself.

“So you believe me?”

“Akkaya is a pseudo-intermediary realm. It is home to a myriad of portals that lead to other worlds,” he mentions.

“Oh. Why wouldn’t they just help me get back home if it’s so easy? Why try to kill me and steal my dog? Just who does that?” I ask angrily, shaking my head as my ire is awakened once more.

“Did you not steal that dog, too?” He inclines his head toward BonBon, who’s currently chasing after my PomPom.

“I saved him. There’s a difference,” I huff. “He’s happier with me and PomPom. Plus, they’re in love,” I declare proudly.

“If you say so.” He laughs.

I blink.

“Are you mocking me?”

Again?

“Far be it from me to mock you. I am merely pointing out the facts.”

I narrow my eyes at him.

“You are not, by any chance, taking stupid Jocelyn’s side, are you?”

“Of course not. I happen to dislike that female as much as you do. Perhaps more.” He shrugs. “You may have saved the dog from her clutches, but the truth remains that you did the very same thing you accuse her of doing, which is hypocritical.”

I frown at him.

“Are you always so…pedantic?”

“It allows for a more comprehensive perspective.” He nods politely.

I mutter a few unladylike obscenities under my breath that prompt him to release a chuckle.

“Anyhow.” I clear my throat. “The truth remains that they tried to kill me. And when I tried to escape and tell everyone what sadistic psychotic bastards they were, they tried to spin it on me and accuse me of God knows what. I mean, have you looked at me? I couldn’t hurt a fly!” I exclaim, rather annoyed.

“You did steal that dog,” he points out, rather cheekily. “And my ring.”

I give him a harsh stare.

He laughs.

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