Okay, first off. 10k! How on Earth did y'all manage to care so much as you did, I'll never know. But, for real, y'all! I appreciate it more than I can say. Especially for a story that wasn't even supposed to be more than a fun little one-shot when I started.

So, to commemorate 10k reads, I have decided to finally begin posting a rework and sequel. So, without further ado, here's a sneak peek at the first chapter of the reworked story:

Falling. An interesting word. It has so many different meanings. People can fall in love, fall down a hole, or fall into despair. Eden Cartwright never really considered herself someone who would fear falling--she knew that, in the end, everyone falls. One way or another everyone will hit the ground.

She knew that she was bound to do the same eventually.

Eden just never thought it would be so literal.

She never put herself in high places-hated them with a passion-so she wasn't entirely certain why she was falling. She couldn't even remember where she was before she began falling-had no time to contemplate more than the sheet of white filling her field of vision. Yes, all she knew was that the ground was becoming ever closer and, despite the fact that she had always accostumed to a warmer climate, it was freezing.

*

"Is it true? Did they really find a fire-nation spy in our borders?" Hans caught up to Chief Arnook as the elder made his way towards the dungeons below. The man's silence was little deterrence. "How did they get here? How many are there? Do we know we caught them all? Who is--?" The sharp look the Chief gave him was finally enough to shut him up.

"If you are to join me in my visit with the prisoner you will be silent and respectful. We are to learn from her what we can without provoking her. Do you think you're capable of that? If not, you can kindly remain out here in order to... keep the peace among our people."

Hans hmphed but diligently remained silent at his side. The chief walked swiftly towards some of the deeper dungeons. Hans would never admit to the ignorance, but he had never personally found himself in these darker sections of the prison. And, he was glad of it. As a citizen in one of the coldest climates, he was no stranger to ice and its properties, but down here the icicles seemed to reach for something unattainable. They grew to lengths that were unheard of further up, and the cold seemed to become penetrating. Even with his thicker blood, Hans could begin to feel the chill nip at him, making him desire warmth more than anything. Wrapping himself further in his parka seemed to do little to help.

He'd known murderers who suffered lesser fates. Though death felt like a blessing compared to the idea of spending a lifetime in here.

Chief Arnook took a turn down one of the deeper corridors, and stopped at one of the cells. Hans' eyes finally began to adjust to the darkness, though he wasn't sure what was causing the dim light. There were no torches to be seen and they had to have been to deep for the sun to be penetrating through the ice.

He decided he would rather not think on it.

Instead, Hans took in the sight of a girl--had to have been younger than him by a few years--lying on a bed of ice. It was a far cry from the warm pelts he enjoyed, but if she hadn't been shivering, he would assume she felt comfortable enough on the hard surface. It took a second for him to realize that this was the spy. This was a fire nation soldier who managed to slip through the icy guard surrounding their city.

That was when all pity that he began to feel evaporated. This soldiered spy would fit well down in these depths. In the darkness, where they belong. Left defenseless, like they had left his people. This spy would stay down here for the rest of its days, and he would make certain of it.

So, that's the sneak peek. There is more coming, and it'll be posted on the book titled Not of This World [Rewrite]. I'll give you guys an update when the first chapter is out!

Until then,
Architect Out