Writing Challenge Winner: Iason Whitlock and the North Star by Aine Strange

Aine Strange is fourteen-year old writer who participated in and completed the summer 2024 Hero’s Journey Writing Challenge. Aine’s short story tells of celestial characters and great adventures.

Read Aine’s short story below!

Iason

“Anyone can be a hero.” My English teacher said as he handed me a massive pile of paper and a pen.

“Choose a hero, write about them, and give them five trials. Most importantly, be original. I know you can do that Iason. Oh, and I don’t want to see you in my office again. This is the third time this week.”

“Mr. Martin, I didn’t do it. I was Josh Hanford and Johnny Hess. You don’t understand. They made me do it!” I attempted to explain.

“Enough. I know what you think happened. You never refrain from sharing your point of view. Evidence shows that you are suspect, and the evidence is better than you think.” Mr Martin responded.

Right, I thought, two jerks push you into a locker and leave you there with a school laptop, and then you’re in trouble. To stop myself from saying anything else that would get me into trouble, I grabbed the papers and left.

The next class was history class, my favorite (for real!). My teacher, Mr. Wilson was great. He did examples, and let us play with irreplaceable historical artifacts. Plus, when he played the educational films, he let me sleep through them.

After school, I went to meet up with my best friend, Tracer Orion. He’s this introvert who always wears this silly black blazer to school. He claims the ladies “dig it”. He told me that Josh and Johnny were planning something extra for tomorrow. I just nodded. When are they not?

We walked to my house to play the new God of War game, and when we walked in, we could hear the melodious sound of my Mom singing in the kitchen.

“Hey, boys! How was school today?” She asked as she ruf fled my honey-colored hair. I grinned at her. She is one of those sweet people who could make you happy, even after being pulverized by Josh. I went on to tell her how school was, leaving out the part about how my English teacher was a mega-jerk and Josh had almost killed me.

She smiled, patted me on the shoulder and went back to making dinner. As we left she stopped Tracer and asked him if he was staying for dinner. (Tracer has a rough home life. His mom left him with his dad years ago, and they don’t get along too well. Tracer stays at our house a lot.)

“Sure, I mean, if it’s okay with you.” Tracer said.

“Of course, that’s why I asked, Hon.” My mom continued making a pot of chili and started singing about cornbread. We decided it was a good time to leave, so we headed to my room and played God of War for the rest of the night.

Ione

I sat on a swing in the middle of the day and watched the stars dance across the sky. Had it been actual night, I would have loved to watch the stars, but that just wasn’t the case.

My name is Ione Beckett. I can’t even remember how old I am. Since I was a kid, I used to love watching the stars with my Dad, until I couldn’t anymore. When I was fifteen, I was taken by these men called the Spites. They are evil spirits who wait for someone to be happy, when you cross them, they use the thing you love to drive you mad. For me, that was the stars.

The Spites take that thing you love and make it your life. They use it until you don’t love it anymore. My case is extra spiteful though. Every time someone dies, they become a star, and every time there’s a new star another year gets added to my life. You may be thinking oh, that’s cool, you’re immortal! It is not cool. If some shady guy ever walks up to you and says what’s your favorite thing? Walk away…. No, run!

I was talking to Sagittarius the centaur ( and constellation), and he told me to look for a boy named Iason Whitlock, the healer of the world, who is being taunted by the Spites. Sagittarius made me a path and walked that way to warn him and bring him to safety.

Tracer

I woke up before Iason and walked out to the bathroom, but on the way I heard something weird. I saw a man taking Mrs. Whitlock out of the second story window. His face was changing as he turned and faced me. He started to lunge at me, and then I realized it was a dream or a vision. I woke up with a start.

“You alright, Dude?” Iason said as he       fluffed his curly hair.

“We need to leave now! Where’s your mom?” I said quickly, as my heart was about to beat out of my chest.

“What do you mean, we have to leave? School doesn’t start for another hour!” Iason asked.

“No time to explain! We need to get to your Mom now, before they come and take her!” I realized I’d said too much. He started to panic.

I ran over to Mrs. Whitlock’s room and banged on the door. It creaked open, and I could see the bad guys from my dream were already climbing out the window with her!

“The keys are on the table!”, she yelled to me. “Get Iason out of here. The truth will unfold itself in time; just run!” I could tell she meant it, because her tone was more serious than I’d ever heard her. I ran to get Iason, and he was right behind me and ready to go. He was scared and fighting back tears. He would drive because he had a permit. We got in the car and peeled out of the neighborhood.

We drove in silence, but I wanted to tell him that one of the faces I had seen was Josh’s.

Ione

I had been walking, following the stars along country roads for miles without seeing a single living thing or any cars. I saw some hazy headlights coming over the hill. The stars suddenly stopped the path they had been showing me, so I stood staring at the sky in confusion. The last thing I remember was getting hit, and falling against gravel.

When I woke up, two boys were looking down at me and one of them said:

“Is she dead?”

I blinked and looked up at them, confused at how young they looked. One of them said:

“What if she’s one of them?”

“One of who?” I asked, rubbing my throbbing head. They gasped in shock that I was still alive.

“These, like shape-shifting dudes that suck the happy out of you.” The dark-haired boy answered.

“Dude, shut up!” The blonde boy said.

“What is shut up?” I said in confusion at their strange way of speaking.

“She’s definitely not one of them. That was Josh’s favorite thing to say.” The dark-haired said.

“What are you talking about? It was just like a ghost!” The blonde boy said.

“Oh, yeah! I forgot to tell you that Josh was the spirit dude the whole time!”

“What?!” The blonde boy and I said at the same time as I did.

“It was him?” The blonde boy asked in shock. His question would have to wait. I had to get them to safety. I tried to stand but crumpled to the ground. They looked back and agreed I “couldn’t be one”. The boys helped me to the car, and I told them everything. The weirdest part was, they didn’t question any of it. They acted like they expected it.

I asked the boys if either one of them was named Iason. The blonde boy’s eyebrows shot up.

“How did you know?” He asked in a fearful tone.

“There is so much I need to tell you.” I replied.

Iason

When we hit Ione I don’t know how, but she survived. The back of my mind was filled with weird medical stuff about what should’ve happened but I don’t know why. It was not only that, it was as if I could sense the whole world’s pain.

Ione noticed me drifting away to my thoughts and asked if I was all right.

“Yeah! Oh yeah, I’m fine. I just still have so many questions. I mean, this is sorta weird.” I said, half paying attention to her, half paying attention to the ongoing road.

“Iason, there is something…The stars, well, Sagittarius to be exact, sent me because he thought you were special; that you could fix the broken world. ‘Iason’ means healer. The Spites must have cursed you at some point. They must have been following you around your whole life, monitoring you. We aren’t the only ones who know you are special.” She said shakily.

“So, these guys you told me about, the Spites, have disguised themselves and followed me around my whole life in different disguises. They gave me powers, and you talk to stars and see the future. You expect me to believe this is normal and that a nerdy freshmen in high school can save the world. I may as well run the car into a ditch and save the whole world now, because it’d be better off that way. I am not a hero!” I said, fuming with rage and confusion.

“Go ahead and turn into the ditch.”she said calmly.

“What?” I questioned, now even angrier than before.

“The village is straight ahead if you turn right about now; go ahead.” She said, still calm, even after my mental breakdown.

Reluctantly, I turned and drove through a grove of birch trees to a small cave that couldn’t possibly be a village.

About a hundred feet away Ione said “Leave the car. They will be furious if I bring a fossil fuels car into the village. We hate pollution.”

“Well, at least there won’t be a Fossil Fuels Man.” Tracer said, after hours of silence. Humor was his way of hiding his fear.

Ione, however, ignored him and we walked into the cave. She felt the wall until she heard a little click then the ground below us disappeared. We fell for what seemed like forever, then we hit the ground. Instead of hitting rock, we bounced up as if we were on a trampoline. I felt the ground afterwards and it was still rock. Ione impatiently looked at me as if I shouldn’t be confused by this and she led us onward.

The further we walked the more breathtaking everything got. There were flowers that had a sort of glow to them, vines from the ceiling and moss that sort of made pictures on the walls. I was awestruck by the amazing scenery, but I couldn’t stay to look at it. The world needed me, so I kept walking. I had a feeling I’d be back later anyway.

We walked up to some giant gates surrounded by guards. Ione went up and talked to one of them. Without hesitating, they let us in, and as I walked through they trembled.

When we got through the gates people were waiting for Ione to arrive back from her quest. I figured she must be pretty important. All the people looked different, just like her, and they all had some kind of ability. One girl was talking to animals and another guy had plants sprouting from his hands.

A guy who seemed to be changing colors walked up to her with a clipboard in his hands and starting bombarding her with questions and requests from the village. She just waved her hand and said “Later, Gus. There’s more important things to do.” and she kept walking. Gus decided to follow anyway.

He looked at me,turned bright yellow and started smiling, I smiled back, even though it was weird. I pretended I didn’t see him staring. Ione led us into what looked like a throne room and sat down in a big chair.

“Welcome to the underground, the hidden village for victims of the Spites, Iason Whitlock and Tracer Orion. I am the queen, Ione Beckett, and I will appoint your quest, should you choose to accept it.” She said, regally.

Tracer laughed and said “What is this, ‘Mission Impossible’?”

“Silence! I am a queen. You are a cursed-child.” She snapped.

“No, I am not. Sorry to disappoint you, your Majesty”. Tracer said, refraining from a laugh.

“Yes, you are. You never thought about it. Your curse is to make others happy, but never yourself. You must go with Iason to keep him mentally strong throughout the quest. He will face many challenges, and he will always need you. Do not go your separate ways. Ever. Understand?” She stated firmly.

“Yes, your Majesty.” He said, now very serious.

“Now, Iason Whitlock, you will be appointed the task of finding the king of the Spites, stealing his crown, and bringing down his kingdom. Return the crown to me; the rightful owner.” She said, sounding full of spite herself.

“Right. Sounds good. When do we leave?” I said, trying to sound calm.

She summoned Gus, and he placed some backpacks on our backs, then she stepped forward and told us to hold hands.

“Eww….. gross!” we said at the same time.

She sighed in frustration, grabbed our hands, and put them together. Then, she placed two of her fingers from each hand on my temples. I heard her voice in my head saying:

“I am your guide; your North Star. Hold on tight.”

Then the last thing I heard was Tracer singing ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ before everything went bright. My stomach was tickling from the inside, and my body felt like it was folding itself backwards and inside-out.

Iason

“Iason, get up. You gotta see this, Dude.” Tracer said, shaking me.

I groaned as I got up, stumbling a few times. This place was weird. The air smelled like a stuffy basement, everything was hazy and dead, and had a gray hue to it.

Tracer walked on (which was surprisingly brave for him). We walked until we ran into a weird creature that looked like a bear and a chicken had a baby. It was walking in circles, screaming. Tracer and I stopped in our tracks and Ione’s voice filled my head

That is a Dolt. They are much like you and your friend. Brave, but stupid. As you may see, they are right outside the gate. Look in you bag and defeat them with yours wits. This is only one of many daunting tasks.”

Then her voice faded. Wits. I thought to myself. Of course it had to be wits. Just when I thought it would be something fun, like using a sword or a bow!

I unzipped the backpack and started digging around. I grabbed a spool of parachute string and a slice of watermelon that had a hole in its rind. Next, I grabbed a sharp rock and cut off a short amount of string, threading it through the melon for bait. Then, I saw two dead trees and tied string to each and stretched it between them, making the perfect bear-chicken trap. I totally felt like MacGyver right now! I handed Tracer the melon string and he walked to the opposite of the side the Dolt and held it up the watermelon. I grabbed a nearby rock and waited.

As the Dolt ran forward and tripped on the string, I came down on its head with the large rock, knocking the Dolt unconscious. Tracer and I marched on after giving each other a quick high five.

When we got inside the palace there was a large pool of lava (the only bright thing in the room) and there were wolves pacing around it. I reached into my bag and pulled out a large javelin; then I charged at the wolves, killing all but one. This lone wolf was now on top of Tracer ripping at him with its fangs. I ran over and stabbed the wolf as quickly as I could, throwing it off of my friend and inspecting the damage it had done.

I ripped up my flannel shirt, then searched in my bag for anything of use. I grabbed a thermos and poured water over Tracer’s wounds. Then I tied the pieces

of my flannel over the worst of his wounds. He winced when I helped him up but we both knew we had to keep going. Inside, I wanted to give up. We were high schoolers, not heroes.

We followed a line of stars along the ceiling into a domed room filled with wandering spirits. The only one who could see us was a small girl. She floated over and asked if she could come with us. She explained she could only leave the room if escorted by the living. We saw no harm, and invited her along; she may know the palace better than us, after all.

We talked to her and heard her story of the misfortune of how she had died and ended up there. She said the Spites cursed her and she joined their forces but betrayed them. The Spites immediately had her killed for treason and sent to their eternal prison.

I wanted to help her, really, but something was off. It was something in her tone. When we left the room she took a living form. I could usually sense people’s presence, but I couldn’t sense hers.

We walked into a room with a large strangely-placed arena. She said

“This is your stop, you stupid boys!” as she shoved us over the railing and quickly changed forms. She now appeared with a changing face, like Josh’s, but she was different: she wore a crown.

Why hadn’t Ione warned me? She said there were traps, that was kind of a warning, but she should’ve been like:

“Hey dummy, this quest could kill you guys!”

I hardly had time to react, however, because a gate on the side of the arena opened and a white lion came charging at us, baring its teeth. I looked around at my surroundings quickly and saw a chariot and helmets; there was also a javelin much like the one I had used earlier.

I realized it was like a Roman arena. This was what they did to the Greeks for entertainment. I told Tracer to follow me and we ran to the chariot. There was only one brown horse hitched to the chariot, but I led him forward. We were now circling the white lion in the chariot. Funny thing was, he had a collar on that said “Snowball!”

Tracer and I had put on our feathered helmets and I had given him the javelin. He was holding up surprisingly well for someone in his state, but I knew I still had to get him out of there.

I had an idea to bring Snowball down. Poking something as big as him would only make him angry, so I asked Tracer to cut the reigns off of the horse and the chariot. He looked puzzled but complied. When we came to a halt, I asked Tracer

to distract Snowball. I came up behind the lion with the reigns from the chariot and began to choke him. Snowball tried to shake me, but I was persistent. I held on until the giant creature hit the ground with a big thud.

I turned toward the horse, who apparently hadn’t realized the gate was open. I whistled to get the horse headed toward us. It trotted over and Tracer and I leapt up onto its back and raced out of the gate. We had survived this challenge, but I realized I had failed the most important one: retrieving the crown! Ione would probably be furious and disappointed. I was feeling the same way. I felt like giving up.

Tracer

I was sitting on the back of the horse we had named “Hope” when Iason collapsed and the horse started going from side to side. I seized the horse by his hair and rode to a nearby palace wall to set Iason down.

I set Iason down on the ground and noticed his eyes were glowing a bright gold. Then he started speaking in Ione’s voice, which was super weird, but not was weird as what he was saying.

“Tracer, the bag on your friend’s back has the required contents to defeat the king. You do not know what this means now, but read the names. I was not ignoring you while you were in need. The king dulls my powers. You are not forgotten. I have a gift for Iason, but the second gift is for you and you alone. Remove your bandages; you should be completely healed. Do not give up hope. You and your friend are true heroes. You must rest for tonight; the battle will be in the morning. Your future is bright; I see it in the stars.”

Then her voice was gone. I looked down at my wounds that were not yet healed. Then something weird happened: my skin started to glow and I removed the bandages to reveal healed skin. Awesome!

I looked over at Iason and saw his eyes weren’t glowing anymore but he was asleep. I tried to wake him and I called his name several times.

He woke up with a start. “What happened?”

“You got golden eyes, Ione spoke through you, and then you blacked out. It was super weird, but you’re back; that’s all that matters. Oh, and Ione sent you a gift. It’s in my bag.” I pulled out a bagged gift.

Iason unwrapped it, revealing a photo album full of pictures of happy people.

Each photo had a name next to it.

“Iason, Ione gave me a plan to read the names in your album to the king. Hope weakens him, that’s why she didn’t help us earlier. He blocked her. She healed me when you were asleep. When she spoke through you, she said tomorrow we will fight the king in the arena. It’s a little bit hard to keep track of time in the palace since there’s no light, but I’ll see if I can find a window or something, so that we can tell when morning comes. Until then, you need to get some sleep.”

Iason

I watched Tracer walk away and I laid on the ground to attempt to get some rest, which proved to be easier than I thought. My eyes became heavier and heavier until I was in a deep sleep. Then a feeling of warmth overtook me as a dream began to form.

I was walking next someone who I didn’t recognize at first, then I realized it was my mom. We were walking on a beach in California. She turned and looked at me and ruffled my blond messy hair.

You are my favorite person in the whole world, you know that, Iason? When I look at you it’s like all the pain of the past seems to melt away.”

I remembered this moment now. It was two years ago; we were on a trip to see my grandfather shortly before he passed away. We were discussing how he lived every day of his life looking for the highlights and shutting out the dark moments.

You remind me so much of him, you know that? When I was your age I lived with him and even though there was some rough stuff. We went through, it was as though just his smile could heal the pain. The world needs more people like that.” She said it softly, but I could tell she really meant it

But, Mom you are like that.” I said, as the cool wind hit my face. The memory was so sweet and so vivid it was as if the whole thing was happening all over again, the exact same way, and I didn’t want to change it.

Honey, I try, but it isn’t so easy for me. You naturally strive to help people. You are like a ray of sunshine in a big dark world. You are a hero, and I’m so proud to have you in my life.” She said that as she pulled me in for a hug. Then the dream changed from a memory to a vision.

My mom was sitting in a cage, in what looked like a dungeon. I remembered she had been captured by the Spites. I had been so overwhelmed by all of these tests and trials that I had forgotten all about her! I felt awful.

I tried to yell her name, but she seemed to be knocked-out or too weak to respond. I called to her “It’s me, Iason, Mom! I’m coming to get you. Don’t worry.

To my surprise, she looked up and said “I believe in you. I always have.”

My dream changed again to Ione. This time she said:

Get up hero; it is time to fight. Your friend is waiting on you with the horse. Remember: fight the king, not with hatred but love, he needs to be rescued just as much as your Mother does. The crown holds him captive because of his false motives. Once you take the crown away from him, the king can rest eternally, like he was meant to do many years ago.”

I woke up, stretched, and grabbed my bag. I walked over to Tracer, who, sure enough, had gotten ‘Hope the horse’ ready. We both jumped onto Hope’s back and rode to the arena.

When we arrived, the King of the Spites was already waiting, and he did not look like he was going to let it be an easy win.

Iason

We sat there awkwardly on Hope for a while until the king decided it was a good time to make introductions.

“I am the ruler of the Spites. My name is Malice, and you dared to return here after your victory. Explain yourselves and state your names, young heroes.”

“We are Tracer Orion and Iason Whitlock, and we did not leave victorious last time. We have returned for my mother and Ione Beckett’s crown.” I snapped at the pretentious king.

“You must be joking, Jason Wilson, since you are only a child and I am eons old. I live for suffering and will see you die of it.” He yelled. His eyes stopped changing and turned into a blinding purple fire, which I assumed was his true form.

“Wow, you are really great with names.” I said sarcastically. “How about I see if you can remember some of these?”

I looked over at Tracer, who had told me the plan. I would read the names from my photo album, and he would run up behind the king and steal his crown. Our confidence would literally crush him.

The king snickered and said “I have many names, so your stupid tricks do not scare me, boy.”

“We’ll see about that, you arrogant jerk! Do you remember Alice Crown? How about Duncan Ward, or maybe Caroline Stevens?”

The king was starting to buckle at the knees which was a good sign, but the fight wasn’t over yet so I had to keep going.

“Herold Miller, Margo Turner, Cathy Heath, Robert Crawford, Martin and Kira Hallows? All these people look so happy. The Hallows got married, and six years later had a son and a family puppy. How sweet. And Molly Adams… remember her? She met her father for the first time at the age of three because he had been deployed in the military. Patrick Strauss died last week of cancer at the age of ten, but met his hero through a locally funded project before he died; that’s so sweet.” The king was on the ground now, writhing in pain. Saying the names was powerful, but the stories the people were even better, and I was about to end this.

“How did you do that?” he wheezed from the ground, grabbing his sides.

“Easy. I used my gift. Since you remembered my name, maybe you’ll remember what my gift is.”

“I never gave gifts, I don’t know what you are talking about.” He moaned.

“My Name is Iason Whittlock, and you gave me the gift of healing. Trust me, I will never get tired of helping people, but no one will help you.”

Tracer reached to the the king’s head and snatched the crown. As soon as Tracer did this the king started withering and hyper-aging. The king’s face kept changing until it stopped on one that looked like an extra-ugly mummy.

“We have to go get your mom.” Tracer said as he wiped sweat off the bridge of his nose.

We asked Ione to lead us to my Mom. Ione showed us the way with the stars, but she said nothing to me in my head, which I figured meant she was either shocked or overjoyed by our success.

We followed the star trail on the ceiling, riding on horseback. We arrived at a double door with guards. When the guards saw Tracer carrying the crown, they ran away. We opened the doors and ran down a winding set of stairs. There I saw my mom in a cell, just like in my dream.

I ran over to her cell and reached into my bag for something to help. I guess Ione was feeling generous, because I pulled out an actual key, and simply unlocked the cell.

My mom was in the corner of the cell, and didn’t even notice we were there. I quickly ran over and shook her. She grabbed my hand and said “I knew you would save me.”

I carried my Mom over to Hope and I felt the same feeling I felt on the way there: a tingle in my gut. Suddenly, we were back at the village. Thankfully, Hope was with us, since I was touching her, but I had no idea Ione could teleport us without touch.

When we arrived, Ione ran to us and waited for us to get off of Hope, then she tackled us in a hug, football-player-style. She patted Hope on the nose and said “A fossil-fuel-free way of transport; yet another thing you two have done to impress me.”

Ione then gratefully received her crown and placed it on her head. She pulled out her sword, and for a second I thought she was gonna go rogue. Then I remembered as a part of our deal, she would make us knights in her kingdom.

Ione then went on to say, “I wish I could throw a feast for you two, but my powers and everyone else’s will be gone at midnight, so I will have to send you home soon.”

“Wait! Can we bring Hope back with us for my English paper presentation?” I said stupidly.

“There is no life for a horse in the city, but you may use him for your presentation, then you will have an excuse to return. Sure, it will be different, because we will be but a normal village, but you know where to find us. Oh, and one more thing, you don’t have to lose your power. Healing people is something anyone can do, but it seems to be your passion, so nothing stands in your way.”

Then Ione walked over to us and placed our hands together. The weird tingling feeling returned and we were home.

A week later, I was proudly riding to school (yep, riding!) to school on Hope with the finished paper I had written about our adventure. I rode right into the school on Hope’s back, and many heads turned at the sight of me. I couldn’t blame the kids for staring. I was gorgeous! It was surely not the horse they were staring at.

I was beaming with confidence as I entered the class, and great news: I was only half an hour late! My English teacher sighed and said,

“Hello, Iason. I hope you have a good reason for missing so many of my classes.”

“Uh….I brought a story….do you guys wanna hear it?” I replied stupidly.

The whole class prompted me on.

I began reading to the class about my adventures, and they all seemed to think it was a pretty stupid story. The class laughed at me and left the room. The teacher looked up at me and said,

“That is the worst story I have ever heard, and you brought a horse into my classroom. That has to be a B minus at best. And to think, I put so much faith in you.”

“Hey! Couldn’t you make it an A? You said anyone could be a hero.”

He snatched my paper, grabbed a red pen and wrote a big C minus on the top of it. I didn’t care; I had a feast to go to tonight.

Oh, and don’t listen to him, because anyone can be a hero.

The End

Writing Challenge Winner: The Quest of Magic by Bella Johnson

Bella Johnson is a fourteen-year old writer who participated and completed the summer 204 Hero’s Journey Writing Challenge. Bella’s short story, “The Quest of Magic” tells of friendship found and lost with the sprinklings of magic present throughout the tale.

Read Bella’s epic short story below:

Splash! Went the water as I dived into the pool. I came up from the bottom and saw my two best friends waiting by the pool’s edge and Matilda looked sad so I swam over to them.

                        “Hey, what’s wrong Milly?”

                        “Her mom just called.”

                        “It’s no big deal,” sniffed Matilda

                        “Lue, can I speak to you for a minute?”

                        “Sure, Milly we will be right back,” as I was giving her a hug.

                        “What’s up Haz?”

             Hold up, you’re probably confused about what is happening. My name is Lucille, I am 15 years old. I have brown hair, blue eyes and I have tan skin. My two best friends are Matilda, who goes by Milly and Hazel, who we only call Haz. Milly has blond hair with green eyes. Hazel has red hair with brown eyes. They both had lighter skin. Now that I have broken the Fourth wall let’s get back to real life importance.

“Milly, is having some… uh… family issues and she is trying to… deny her feelings.”      

                        “Oh no, do you know what happened?”

            “I don’t know. All her blood drained when she answered the call from her mother. Whatever her mom was saying was pretty bad.”

                        “Guys, we need to talk,” Milly whispered.

                        “Milly, is everything…” I started until we heard a scream.

            I didn’t know who screamed but it seemed to be coming from the kiddy pool. We all ran in the direction to which the screaming was coming from. Once we got close enough the screaming died down and there was my brother and a little boy in his hands. He was talking to some of his lifeguard buddies he sometimes guards with. We got close enough to make out what they were saying.

            “This boy needed help. I couldn’t watch it any longer.”

            “He… touched my boy and… he…went out… COLD.” Sobbed the lady.

            “Felix, what’s going on?”

“Sis, this is not a great time! We have to evacuate everyone before the manager…”

            “Too late Felix, she’s already making her way over here as we speak.”

They went back to whispering and one of the lifeguards was trying to comfort the woman sobbing. We should really speed things up so while everything is happening while we wait for the manager my brother is actually my twin. He looks kinda like me but with brown eyes, not blue. Alright here we are with the manager.

                        “FELIX, what have you done?”

            “This kid was struggling swimming and when I touched him he went out cold. We need to get air into him. I don’t know if he could last much longer in his condition.”

                        “Felix, why don’t you give him to me and I can start compressions.”

                        “Thanks sis. You’re a lifesaver.”

            He handed over the kid to me and when I got him, he opened his eyes and looked around.

                        “Where am I? Mom! Mommy! Where are you?”

The sobbing lady looked around confused. The boy jumped from my arms and ran to his mother. When she turned around there he was. She looked so shocked that she fell back and started crying happily to have her son back.

            “How… how… Did you do that?” said Hazel when I walked over there.

            “I think what Hazel is saying is how did you heal that little boy right after you touched him.”

            After Milly stopped talking I heard a mysterious voice. It started faint then got louder and louder.

            “Sister… Sister… SISTER!”

            “Lue, is everything alright. I want to know if you are ready to go home?”

            “Yeah, I’m… I’m…”

            What’s wrong with me? I thought. Why can’t I finish my sentence?

I tried to form words but no sound came out of my mouth.  

“Lue, let’s get you home. I think you need to rest. Haz, let’s go.”

“Felix are you coming?” Shouts Hazel.

“You guys can go ahead and go. I will catch up.”

As we were walking I couldn’t help but notice that my friends were quiet. We are never quiet when we are together. I opened my mouth to make a sound. But I couldn’t hear anything.

            “Milly, why don’t you tell Lue and me what is happening…”

            We heard an explosion, it was coming from our neighborhood. Milly’s face drained from color. She was saying some words but we couldn’t hear over the sirens of firetrucks and ambulances. Milly started running and it took us a second to realize that she took off and we started to follow her. 

            We stopped short when we saw that Milly’s house was up in flames. We looked around frantically for Milly. 

                        “Matilda! Matilda! Where are you?” Shouts Hazel.

                        “Matilda!” I shouted.

                        Yes, I thought. I can talk again.

                        Crash! The building started shaking and the roof was sliding off. Crash! The whole building started coming down. My vision was getting blurry and my eyes got prickly. What if Milly was in that building? My phone buzzed and I looked and saw a mystery text from a number.

                        We have your sister. The things that you need to do is get the venom of a giant spider, horn of a unicorn, tears of a siren. If you don’t complete these tasks in 4 days then you will never see her again.

As soon as I read the text, I turned around to run home. As I got home I saw no break in entry.

“Mandy! Mandy!” I shouted through the empty house.

 “I’m here! I’m in Deliliah’s room.”

“Oh my… you’re both okay.”

I ran into Delilah’s room and saw them sitting on the floor reading books.

“Lucille! Lucille, are you okay?” Screamed Hazel.

I ran to Hazel tripping down the stairs. Hitting my head on the floor. Hazel screamed but I shushed her. I showed her the text.

“They must have Milly. We have to do it or we will never see her again. 

“Lue, what should we do?”

We both started crying. I hesitated to tell her what I thought.

She noticed my hesitation right away.

                        “Milly is our friend! Why won’t you go?”

                        “I just don’t know if I am the right per…” the doorbell interrupted us.

                        We didn’t answer. We were afraid that it would be the police asking us what happened at the pool or what happened to Milly’s house. 

                        “If you girls are not going to answer it I will.” shouts Felix.

                        “How did you get home? We live 5 minutes away.”

                        “I dunno, I just started running and I got here in 30 seconds.”

                        That’s weird! He must have… I pushed the thought away. I have enough to worry about with Milly gone and making sure her family is okay and know that Milly is gone. Oh no her family. What if her sisters and brothers were in the fire. No, they are resourceful kids. I heard Felix talking to someone. Wait Felix answered the door. I don’t remember him walking over to the door.

                        “I’m sorry sir. She is not up for company.”

                        “But I need to talk to both of you.”

                        “Our parents are not home. We aren’t allowed to let people in. So you can’t talk to us. Please leave our property or we will call the police. You have been warned.”

                        “I told you I need to come in and talk to both of you…”

                        I walked over to the door and saw an old man. He was wearing a green shirt with jeans with holes in them. He had white hair but he didn’t look like he was that old like he was in his 50’s. By this time Felix went into his older overprotective brother mode. Even though he is 15 minutes older than me. 

                        “Felix, who is this man?”

                        “Lucille get back.”

                        I pushed my way through to the door. Felix started to call my name. I pushed the man over and I started running. I felt like time was slowing down. In no time at all I was in front of what used to be Milly’s house. Her younger brothers and sisters were out in the back. 

                        “Lucille! Help us. We don’t know where our parents are.” said Gabe.

                        Gabe was Matilda’s younger brother. So that made him the oldest when Milly was away. Just thinking about her is making me so sad. He was holding Annastia and Beatrice the babies of the family. Annastia is only 2 and Beatrice is 4 months old. There was another kid running around named Payton and he is 5.

                                    “Can you take Annastia for a minute?”

                                    “Yeah, sure!” I took Annastia. “Do you guys need a place to stay while you wait for your parents? You’re more than welcome to wait at my house.”

                                    “Yes please. Wait, where’s Matilda?”

                                    “That’s the thing I guess I have to give you the story. It began at the pool…”

                        By the end we made it to my house. His face was so pale so I took Beatrice and made him go sit down. The old man was still at our house arguing with my brother. We made our way into the house and I got another text from the same number.

                        Looks like you’re not going to come easily. How about we told you we have your parents too? Would that change your mind?

                        I started getting dizzy and so many thoughts were running through my head. How did they know that I wasn’t going to do it? What do they want with my parents?

                        “Feli…” I started to yell but everything went black.

            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                        I woke up in a room that I don’t remember going into. I felt something on my wrist. I tried to get up but I couldn’t. I was bound to a cold metal table. I started to scream.

            “Stop screaming!” Said an Old man. “My name is Charles Kingsly, and I am a part of an organization that will help you get your family back.”

            “Why am I like this?”

            “Well I was talking to your brother and we heard you start to say his name and he turned and started running towards you. I heard him screaming and little kids crying. I came into your house and found you floating in your living room and saying stuff we could not understand. So I was wondering if you would like to join our organization and go and find your family.”

                        “What about my brother? Did he agree to join? I am not going to join if he is not present to help me make my decision.”

                        “Your brother is in the other room, he has already agreed to join only if you are okay with it.” He said something over his radio and Felix walked.

                        “Lucille, are you okay? You told me you would unbound her after she woke up.”

            “My apologies.” He started undoing the bounds.

“So Lucille, do you think we should trust them? I mean I will only join if you want to join.”

“It’s okay! Felix, you don’t have to protect me. First we need to get our parents back and my best friend. Charles! I would like to join your organization.”

“So would I.”

“Excellent, I am glad that both of you are willing to join the organization. The first thing I must tell you is that I have been in this organization for a very long time and I am your mentor. I will be aiding you on this quest.”

A guy that we barely know is coming with us to find my best friend and my family. Not weird at all.

“We are leaving first thing tomorrow morning! Rest up, children, you’re going to need it!”

 As soon as he left the room I got up and started walking around replaying the information I just got in my head again and again.
                        “ Lucille, do you think we should trust this guy and his organization?”

That stopped my pacing and I didn’t know who to trust. So I hesitated to answer Felix’s question.

Some random guys with white masks on came in and gave us cots to sleep on. We laid there and sleep didn’t come easy for me. Felix was out in a matter of minutes. I just kept thinking about how my life is just the worst. First my friend and now my parents. Oh my… I forgot to ask about my sisters. I hope they are okay. I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my leg and the world started to dim and everything went black

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

            I sat straight up. My hands felt something soft underneath it. I looked around the room. Strange. The room had pale blue walls and I was laying on a soft blanket. There was a backpack on a chair right next to the bed. My head felt like something was chewing on the inside of my brain. There was knocking at my door.

            “Time to get up and find the unicorn to get its horn!” sang a voice through the door.

            The old man walked into the room.

            “Good morning, sunshine! I see you slept well. Here is some tea. We have a big day ahead of us. Felix went out with a friend of mine to go collect the spider venom this morning. They should be returning tonight.”

            “Wait, Felix left this morning? What time is it?”

            “Well… it’s 12 O’clock right now and your brother left at… 9.”

            “Why didn’t anyone wake me up?”

            “Well…we gave you a sleep draught and your body didn’t react the way we thought it would. Again you did the floating thing and we had to take you to another facility where you would be safe before the scientist started poking you. Then when we touched you, you went limp into our arms. No time for questions anymore we need to go find that unicorn!”

            He went out of the room so then I could change. As soon as I got into some clothes I grabbed the backpack because it seemed important and went out the front door. We started walking and I saw that we just left a ranch style house. There were no other places for a 50 mile radius. What felt like a long time we finally made it to this really big garden and we saw bunches of unicorns. We had to be careful with which unicorn horn we needed to pick.

            “Here is where we keep all our best unicorns and to harvest a horn you have to get to know a unicorn and it has to know you. If it knows the person and the person cares for them then they will be able to grow a new horn that is bigger and better than the one that was before. So I would suggest taking a medium size horn.”

            “So no unicorn will get hurt right?”

            “Yes, even if the person doesn’t care for the unicorn it will still be around but as a horse and it loses its magic forever. So I would suggest getting to know your unicorn before taking its horn.”

                        Hey Sis, Um… So we are having a little problem with the venomous spider, it bit one of the people and we started running…

                        “This is no time to be looking at your phone. We need to get the unicorn horn.”

“Right, sorry.’
             I started walking over to the unicorns and the herd started moving away from me. I started speaking softly towards them telling them I am just a friend. One of the bigger unicorns decided to come over to me. I knew that I had a chance to try to bond with this creature.

Its beautiful brown eyes with silver specks with them were telling me something. It was like it was reading my soul and warning me about something. Then all of a sudden it fell to the ground and the unicorn started transforming. First the tail and then its body covered in oozing black goop then it reached its neck then its beautiful eyes until the gold horn was covered.

I heard screams and heard hooves reaching. Another big unicorn started charging at me. Like it wanted to fight. I understand that it wants its friend back but I have no way of bringing it back. I just kept getting closer and closer. I noticed at the last second I shot up into the air and was floating.

Wow! I didn’t know that I could do that. I thought. What else can I do? 

My hands started to glow and my hands started heating up with all the power. I started to freak out. I didn’t know what was happening. I pushed my hands out and light shot through my hands. The unicorn jumped out of the way and started charging at me again but this time I was ready. I pushed the light a little bit just enough to direct the unicorn away from me. 

It was surprised and it too started to run away. It wanted to get away and I wasn’t going to stop it. All the power that I had in me started to drain and I started falling from the sky. I landed on the ground with a hard thud. I laid there on the ground starting to sob.  I didn’t get the unicorn horn and we only have 3 days left to find the supplies and get them to wherever they need to go.

“Are you alright Lucille?”

“Yeah, it’s just that I just realized that I might never get to see or hear from my family again if we don’t get the stuff we need.”

“Shhh! You’re alright!” He started to hug me but I pushed him away. 

“I might never see my family again.” I cried 

My phone started to buzz.

Hello Ms. Lucielle, I have bad news to tell you your brother was bitten by the spider and is getting rushed back to the house. 

I curled up in a ball and started to cry

The old man just looked down at me with disgust. He opened his mouth to say something when we heard a scream. We ran towards the sound and we stopped and saw a girl fighting a griffin.

“Stop! You’re hurting it.” cried the old man.

“Well I am just trying to help my friend, when this griffin got in my way. The sirens are on the other side of this cliff.”

            “Well… Hazel I thought I knew you better than this. The griffin would not attack people out of the blue unless they smell a bad aura around someone and I would have been notified if you had one.”

            “Don’t be mad at Hazel. She must have accidentally stepped on the nest and it was defending the nest.”

            “Yep! Absolutely! I was not looking where I was going and must have accidentally stepped on the nest.”

            “Hmmmm!”

            “Hazel! Have you heard about my brother?” She shook her head no. “My… brother… was bitten… by the spider.” I was practically sobbing at this point.

            She came in for a hug and she and I started walking back to the house to check on my brother. When we got in the house we noticed that it was quieter than usual. Nobody greeted us and nobody to see if we needed anything. It’s like everyone was worried about my brother. We walked into Felix’s room and noticed right away that if they didn’t heal him he could die in the next couple of days. I broke down again not wanting to look at him. I started running towards his bed but somehow I couldn’t get there. It’s like his bed was protected by a force field. I looked at him and for the first time I looked at his hands, they were glowing a dark purple and I noticed that some of the purple was surrounding his bed.

                        My hands started feeling hot again and I looked down and saw that my hands were glowing a gold color. My head started spinning again and I tried to fight the force field and go to my brother.

                        “STOP!” A voice yelled. I ignored them. I felt something touch me but I didn’t react. “You’re only hurting him, his power is trying to protect him from you.” The voice was quiet and hard to hear like it was in my head.

                        I decided to stop trying to get to my brother.

                        Maybe I should stop on my story… This is a painful memory.

                        You want to know what happens next. Will my brother live, will I get my parents? Oh all right.

                        Next thing I know I feel a sharp pain in my arm and the world starts to go dim.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                        Ugggg! They really need to stop drugging me. I woke up in my bedroom and I tried to get up but a huge creature was laying on me.

                        “Oh, good you’re up!” it said in a singsong voice.

                        “What are you?”

                        “Hahaha, you silly human.” It cocked its head. “You really don’t know what I am? Wow, do they not teach you in any of those… um… what’s the word I’m looking for?”

                                                “School?”

                        “Yes! School! Do they not talk about sirens and how to find them or catch them and how they are just chatty creatures.”

                                    “Ummm, no. We learn how you all like to sing a song and then you crash boats and start laughing and all the people on the boat die.”

                                    “Hmmm, we don’t do that. Not even the mermaids. Well anyway, are you really the girl from the prophecy?” I shook my head. “Oh! I thought we found her! Has anyone disappeared recently?” I nodded my head. “Goody! That means you are the girl from the prophecy. You had people taken by other people and then you need venom of a giant spider, horn of a unicorn, tears of a siren. Correct.”

“Yes, but why are you here? Where’s my mentor?”

“Well, what has happened to your brother. I have to take over as your mentor and besides he can’t become your best friend. My name is Sea Shine! You can just call me Cece. The one thing is that where we are going is a place your magic can’t go. Sirens hate being beaten by humans when it comes to magic and most humans don’t have magic. When they do, they get mad at the humans and ban them from their home and hospitality forever.”

“Wait, I have magic?”

“Yes you and your brother both. You think it was a little weird that there was a purple force field around your brother or that somehow you heard my voice in your head that was faint. It’s magic. Your brother and you have the best magic that I have ever seen. Here I want you to wear this.” She handed me a necklace with a locket on it. “If you get over emotional it will help you control and channel your magic on one thing like that unicorn battle you had. I should have been with you to give you this but I went with your brother and let’s just say one thing it was not fun.”

“Really, I could get the unicorn horn again! I thought the unicorns hate me.”

“Well… I talked to them explaining the situation and they agreed to give up their horn under one condition. That you were that to show that you are doing the right thing and going to use your magic for the right thing.”

“Oh my gosh… Thank you. I want you to be my friend forever. I have one last thing to ask you Cece.”

“Name it kid whatever it is.”

“Can my friend Hazel come and see the world of sirens? She never believed that you all were as mean as the legend says.”

“All right but we are leaving first thing…

We heard knocking on the door. When we reached the door we saw a unicorn horn. 

I tried to pick up the Unicorn horn but it was just a hologram.

            “Hahahaha, you fell for the Unicorn trick. Don’t worry they do it to everyone that upsets them. I have upset a unicorn before and she started doing tricks on me and it was hilarious. Once we were friends again we laugh about it all the time.”

“Wait, Unicorns can transform into humans?”

“All magical things here can transform into something. It takes a lot of magic to do it so most of them stay the same. Some of the unicorns were actual humans and decided to become a Unicorn. They came on a similar quest as you and they decided that they wanted to stay here.”

“That’s so cool. I kinda want to go home with my family.”

Cece’s face fell. “Yeah, I guess you should go back home with your parents when we save them.” she sighed.

“I can still come back and hang out with you. And who knows maybe I could find a way to hang out here during the summer and you can show me your awesome swimming moves.”

“You’re right. That would be so cool.”

Hazel came bounding down the stairs in her running shoes. She looked like she was ready to change the world.”

“I am so glad you decided to come with us Haz. You’re the greatest!”

“Yeah the greatest.” Her face fell and she looked a little uncomfortable. 

“Well let’s get going! If we don’t start now. We might not make it there before the light fades away.”

“WAIT!” Charles was running with something in his hand. “Take the venom we were able to extract from the bite. Then you can give it to them after you get the tear and horn.”

“My…”

Charles interrupted me. “We have him, he will be in good care while you’re gone. As you are there, learn how to use your magic.”

“Thank you for being an amazing mentor.” Cece was gesturing for me to follow. They must have started walking. “Goodbye Charles!”

I put the venom carefully in my backpack and we started. We walked into the woods. It seems quieter now that we are not running through the woods. Then I started to think that it was too quiet.

“Were nearly to the Unicorns!” Cece called. “We just need to get over this hill and…”

She stopped dead in her tracks. There was a figure dressed in all black just standing there.  He had a hood up so I couldn’t tell who he was or what he looked like.

“Get out of the way!” Yelled Cece.

The hooded figure just started smiling. All I could see was his smile and it looked like he had fangs. Weird. He started walking toward us.

“Stop! Leave my friend out of this, Rarnib.”

“Why should I?” said a husky voice. “You were the one who wanted this job. Don’t you remember you were only 5 when we let you get this job and you did it. You finally brought the girl we need and… Where’s the brother? We need both twins of power.”

“Hazel, what is he talking about?”

“Rarnib, I already told you the brother could not come but she is just as strong. She might even be stronger than you with the proper training!” Hazel started smirking.

“Watch that tone with me, Synthesize.”

“I told Rarnib, my name is Hazel. I don’t go by that name anymore.”

“What! What have they done to our shapeshifter and the best of the best. You’ve gone soft, your “best friend” has made you soft.” He said it in air quotes.

“Hazel, what is he talking abo…”

“You!” He pointed at me. “You are coming with me. Your time is up, pretty thing. The only way to stop us is to fight me!”

 He started summoning up some black cloud and it started coming right at me. I got hit by it. My hands started to get hot and sunlight started to come out of my hands. I started floating. I blacked out.

———————————————————————————————————————

                                                            Cece

          She started to float. Lucille’s eyes turned white. She summoned a big ball of white energy and started throwing little chunks of the light at Rarbin. He kept dodging and he would always throw back his own magic back at her. I felt defenseless. She looks like she can stop him by herself. She doesn’t need me.

                        She hit him square in the chest and he fell back looking really scared. Hazel ran up to him and tried to protect him.

“Hazel, move out of the way.” Lucille said.

“No, you’re hurting him.”

“He took my parents and Milly, do you not care.”

“Yes I do care but I was the one who took everyone. I was the one to give the command and I am really sorry. I was just jealous at your and Milly’s friendship that I did a very bad thing and taking your parents was not right either. We just want your power to finish the invention we were making.”
            “You mean an invention to destroy the world.”

“Yeah, that could be a side effect of us using the invention. We are trying to make a better world where people with magic don’t have to hide so Lue. What do you say? Will you join us?”

“Lucille, no don’t listen to them. They just want to get rid of the human race.”

“I’m sorry, my dear friend. I can’t trust you or your people.”

Lucille lifted up her hands and summoned the biggest light and she threw it. I had to turn away from the scene.The world went very bright and there was screaming. When the light died down there was gold dust flying around.

“I am so sorry, my dear friend,” whispered Lucille.

———————————————————————————————————————

                                                            Lucille

                        I woke up back in my room, with my brother by my side.

                        “You did it Lucille, you saved everyone!”

                        Milly and my family came in for a big group hug.

The End

Writing Challenge Winner: A Hunter’s Game by Isabella Landwehr

Isabella Landwehr is fifteen-year old writer who participated and completed the summer 2024 Hero’s Journey Writing Challenge. Her short story” A Hunter’s Game” is a somber and poignant journey of a young woman’s attempts to save her family and find purpose in her life.

Read Isabella’s epic short story below:

Το Κάλεσμα: To Kálesma: The Calling

Rustle, rustle. Snap! I whip around, bow drawn. I aim my arrow at the heart of whoever is stalking me. I feel the familiar tensing in my muscles as I prepare for the kill.

The sound gets closer and closer until… a harmless rabbit hops out of the bushes. I kick myself for looking so foolish. Then, I am reminded of why I am here in the first place.

I should be dead. Instead, I’m hiding in the woods. I ran for hours, days even. It’s all a blur, really.

It all started on that warm, late summer night. The man in blue robes brought the letter to our door. The royal insignia shone on the seal. He handed it to my mother and her eyes shone with tears.

Though I didn’t understand at first, my mother immediately knew what this meant for us. At first glance, the things seem unconnected. One of the tributes died before reaching the palace. My father had fallen out of the king’s favor and was killed. Debts had gone unpaid, because our money, and all of my own time and effort, had gone to sustaining our family.

My mother broke the news to me, holding back great sobs. I, Theia, the eldest child of Sebastian of Crete, was to be slaughtered in the Labyrinth to feed the Minotaur. If they sent me to my gruesome death, all of our debts were to be forgiven.

Yeah, right. I thought. Like they would let it all go, just like that. They just want me dead so I can’t avenge my father’s death and the rest of his children will starve. If anything, it takes away all of their problems at once. But I hold my tongue, so as not to add to my mother’s distress.

Later, I will discuss the plan I am formulating with Atticus, the second oldest but several years younger than me. I find him tending to our sorry vegetable patch. His brow is knit with frustration, but the most fake of smiles is plastered on his face when he hears me approach.

“Hey, there…” he trails off and his smile falls. It is not just my look of determination that pulls him up short. He knows he doesn’t have to keep strong for me.

“How are the onions? I don’t want to pull you away from your hard work” I say.

“I know you are not here for small talk. And they cannot come to be much worse, anyway. What do you need to discuss with me?” Atticus asks, dusting off his palms as he stands. Brusque as he seems, my little brother can always tell when something is on my mind.

I glance around and see my youngest sister, Thea, playing nearby, so I whisper,

“We must speak in the woods. I do not want the mikrá to overhear,” I say, referring to our young siblings with our affectionate nickname for them. It means ‘little ones’.

His brow knits even deeper than before as we reach the treerow. I can tell he is working through every horrible scenario. Mother is sick. Someone we love has died. They are taking more, or all, of our land.

“They are sending me as tribute to the Minotaur,” I say quickly.

My brother is not one to surprise easily. He has become quite adept at hiding his emotions behind a gilded veil. This news blows him out of the water. He sputters but quickly recovers.

“What?… When?… How?… Why you?!” he manages. Even he knows that I am the one holding our fragile family together.

“It is reparation for Father,” I reply solemnly.

He utters under his breath curses that would make Mother faint before continuing, “How soon?”

“I have a week at most,” I reply. “That is why…” I take a deep breath and say, “I plan to flee before they can get to me.”

Atticus begins to pace. He thinks through every avenue and examines every facet of this plan that may save us from heartbreak and ruin.

“Have you told Mother yet? Never mind. I know the answer. But how will we get by without you?”

I had wondered long and hard about this myself.

“ I will teach you all I know before I must leave.”

He raises an eyebrow and says, “You have to leave at the new moon, and you plan to show me all you know before then? How will we both hunt, for surely you must fend for yourself as well? We have but one bow to our name.”

“No,” I say quietly, facing the leaf litter at my feet. I raise my eyes to his. “For all of us to survive, one of us must take up Father’s bow.”

Atticus went quiet, though this time, it was not for thinking. I had rendered him absolutely speechless. The great bow had sat untouched upon the mantle since Father’s death.

But as he sat there silent, his face changed. He slowly nodded his head. It hadn’t taken him nearly as long to come to the realization as it had me, but either way, we both understood.

There was no other way.

🙚🙙 🙚🙙 🙚🙙

And so, I ran. I flew through the woods as if I had the wings of a griffin. Not before one last stop, though. The one thing that might make the king leave my family alone.

I went to the house of Theseus, my closest friend. I knew he alone would even think of taking on this huge favor. Our fathers were friends from the beginning, so we became friends as young children, too.

Months after receiving the fateful news, I knocked upon his door, a new moon above my head. Though it was the dead of night, he opened it immediately, knowing it could be only me. I gathered my courage and begged him to replace me. Otherwise, the king would just take another of Sebastian’s brood. But if Theseus went in my place, Atticus would be spared.

Η Οδηγώ: I Odigó: The Guiding

It was hard to leave Theseus, especially knowing he would be dead if I ever returned. My one solace was that my family would live, and I was confident Atticus could get them through our hard times.

I disappeared into the woods with only a rucksack, a quiverful of arrows, and Father’s bow. It pained me to take one of the few things of his we had left. But it was better for us all when I left. We all knew it, and if not, I hoped they would come to understand.

Before I had left Theseus that night, I asked him for advice. In the wee hours of the morning, we conversed. We plotted and planned until Eos brought her first light.

All night, we spoke of how one another could survive. He taught me all he knew of the woods. Edible plants, tracking, and whatnot. I told him what little I knew of combat. It wasn’t much that we did not know already, but at least we felt better prepared to meet our fates.

Theseus told me to escape Crete by following a stream leading to the sea. Deep in the forest, it was silvery and winding. And rumored to be used by the goddess Artemis herself.

It may seem an odd thing to add. However, that was not just a random bit of gossip. My best friend was the only one who knew my deepest wish: to join the Hunters of Artemis.

They were an elite group of young women who fought by the goddess’s side, immortal lest fatally wounded in battle. Fearless warriors who sought to maintain balance and lived off only their wits and abilities. The only condition was to vow against romance of any kind. I was fine with that.

Theseus would never tell me this to give me false hope. He knew I wanted this too badly to make light of it. No, he was saying there was a chance they may help me or, better yet, prove myself and join their ranks.

It was time for me to flee. I thanked him for his help and friendship, wished him well, and gave him a fierce hug. Then, I took off for the woods in the dawning light.

🙚🙙 🙚🙙 🙚🙙

So, that is how I got here. But there is still a long way for me to go.

I have found the river and tracked it for miles. Days. At first, I tired quickly. But my instincts drove me on.

It may just be wishful thinking, but I believe I am receiving help. When I lose my way, a path leading back to the stream seems to appear in the dense undergrowth. If I hesitate at a fork in the stream, a wind seems  to push at my back to guide my direction.

Perhaps it is a coincidence. But I don’t think so. It feels like destiny, hanging in the air just ahead of me. Or, dare I hope, divine intervention. Maybe someone on Olympus wants me to succeed.

No. No, it’s preposterous… isn’t it? I shook my head.

One foot in front of the other, Theia, I thought to myself.

Things were getting harder as I went. My cloak tore on the branches. I was running out of rope.

Alas, I have no choice but to persevere. I know that it will soon be the day of the festival, which the king and queen throw each year before they send innocent children to their death in that Labyrinth with the Minotaur.

I thought I was deep enough in the woods, but I could hear the commotion of muscular village men setting up. I trekked on faster, before I was noticed and really had to make myself scarce.

If I were to be caught at any time before the Minotaur had finished the last of them off, they would cast me in as dessert. That’s when I realized something huge.

I could never return home. Ever. They may forgive my family’s debts if we sent in Theseus as a replacement. In fact, our father’s misdeeds may be forgotten entirely and my family would be left alone. For good. But if I was caught…

It would stir up bad memories. They would remember and we would never be trusted again. Our family would be ostracized, banished from all dignified society. Or worse.

No time to dwell on the bad. I would just have to escape the island and start a new life elsewhere. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks.

I was thirteen years old. How could I possibly do all of that? Completely alone, to boot. It was all too much. I sank to the ground in utter despair.

I sat in a cluster of rushes and my eyelids began to flutter. I finally understood just how exhausted I was. I’d walked for days without rest. Just a short nap, I thought, seeing that the light was fading.

As I lay my head on a soft patch of ground, I raised my head to look at the sky one last time. The first star, the one guiding me North each night, had appeared. I sank back to the ground.

And as my eyes closed, I could almost swear the rushes were enshrouding me from the sky. Maybe I was not so alone after all.

☁ ☁ ☁

Wake.

My eyes shot open. “Who said that?!” I cried out in alarm. I was confused to hear my own voice echo faintly.

I looked down to see… myself. I was right there, still wrapped in the rushes. But I was also standing here, alert, while looking at a self who was not standing and alert, while I… Nope. I had absolutely no idea what was going on.

The same voice chuckled. Calm, little hero. You are safe.

I realized that I trusted this mysterious woman’s voice, whoever it belonged to. I responded,

“Wh-who are you?”

She laughed again. All in good time, child. You will understand everything when you are ready, Theia Rue.

My eyes began to tear up. Only my father had called me that. Did she know him, I wondered.

Your father was a good man, but you show greater promise than he ever did.

“You… you know what I’m thinking?”

Of course. I know everything about you, Theia, and I delight in the strong warrior you are becoming.

☁ ☁ ☁

I woke with a jolt, two important things abundantly clear. First, that I was receiving divine aid. And second, I was following the wrong river!

Η Προσπάθεια: I Prospátheia: The Trying

Woah.

That was all I thought when I saw it. I had finally found the stream I was supposed to be following. In reality, it was more of a small river. The water flowed the color of liquid silver. I stare in complete awe.

I had faced steep widowmakers, poisonous plants, and a near-fatal encounter with a hungry bear (thank the gods I had one more stick of mink jerky). Regardless of it all, the sight of the river was well worth the struggles it took to get there.

Pencil Landscapes by Katarzyna Kmiecik

I look for any sign of trouble. Not seeing any threats, I approach the stream very cautiously.

I began to reach out my cupped hands to get a drink, but suddenly pulled up short. If this brook really was used by the gods, it may not be safe for mortals to drink. But it had been such a long time since I had a drink. Suddenly, my throat felt more parched than ever. Maybe just a small drink would be safe…

I quickly scoop some river water into my mouth. I tense my whole body, waiting forー whatever it was that happened to humans who consumed what the gods forbid.

So little is known, it could be anything. Spontaneous combustion? Madness? A slow, painful transformation into some hideous beast?

I was wracked with an uncontrollable shiver. It’s starting! I thought in a panic. I give myself a once-over as I try to determine its effects. Blood roars in my ears. I begin to panic. What is happening to me?!

🙚🙙 🙚🙙 🙚🙙

I had eventually regained my wits. I had gotten colder because a breeze began blowing off of the stream. It was only my nerves that had increased my heart rate so dramatically. I was fine. Surprisingly, nothing had happened at all.

As I sit on the banks, something out of the ordinary catches my eye. The faintest hint of a boot print. I had noticed earlier that the ground seemed tamped down along the water’s edge, but I had thought it was a deer trail or something of the sort.

Instead, it looks like someone was trying to walk lightly so as not to leave a trace. They would have succeeded, too. If they had stepped a centimeter farther from the riverbank, they would have stayed on the firm path. As it was, I knew this part of the woods was not entirely forsaken.

I begin to look for a second print, when I notice something about the first track that stops me in my own. A symbol. Could it be? Yes, it was there. Just a small imprint in the sole.

The mark of the Hunters of Artemis!

Filled with a renewed energy, I eagerly followed the direction the foot was headed. Whoever it belonged to must have been following this trail! Even if I couldn’t see if they left the path or not…

I walk on, face close to the earth. Not a single boot print. If the first one was not so distinct, I could almost believe I imagined it. Almost. Then, I see a different kind of track that excites me just as much.

There were deer nearby! The freshness of the sets of tracks showed that there were five, maybe six, of them by the river’s edge less than a day ago. My stomach is growling. I have not eaten much for nearly three days. They must still be living nearby, as I note older prints of the same size close to the newest ones.

I resumed following the path, this time intent on discovering the deers’ whereabouts. My mouth waters at the thought of so much food. Enough to keep my stomach full until I escape Crete, surely! I keep my eyes glued to the ground, chase every zigzag and sudden stop those deer have made.

I even find edible plants they have nibbled on and try a few. Bitter, but filling. With my bare hands, I dig up some tubers. They can tide me over until I find those fat, delicious deer!

Unless someone, or something, gets to them first, I realize in alarm. No, no, no, no, NO! As the sun begins to sink under the horizon, so too does my heart.

There are large tracks, likely belonging to a wolf or some other wild dog, now following along the deers’ trail. Their pace quickens, paws and hooves alike making bigger and bigger strides as they fight for life. Then the wolves’ paw prints disappear, their final marks deep. They jumped on the deer and killed them. I can see where their bodies landed in the dirt. No way that hungry pack let even one of their prey escape.

I sigh in despair. Then, an even worse thought hits me. How long have I been walking? Surely I would have reached the shore by now… How many days did I lose? Am I going the wrong way? And, most importantly, Where in Hades am I??

🙚🙙 🙚🙙 🙚🙙

While I decide it is safest to continue following the brook, I am still unsure of both my location and destination. All rivers and streams, every body of water on the whole island, lead to the ocean. After many twists and turns, I’ll eventually get there. But that begs the question, What then? When I see water and sky meet a thousand kilometers ahead of me, what will I do?

I could build a raft, or even a boat. It is another thing entirely to make a seaworthy vessel and sail it to the mainland. Not that I even know how to get there once I reach the open ocean.

Was I doomed from the start? It must be an ill-fated journey, because I have no idea how I ever expected to successfully pull this off. On the other hand, if I go back, then sure, I’ll be alive, but for how long? The king will kill my friends and family for my escape, whether I had a labyrinth replacement or not. It was utterly hopeless.

Then, of course, things got even worse. The stream forked. And I haven’t a clue which way to go.

Η Επιβράβευση: I Epivrávefsi: The Rewarding

I probably cried for hours. A thirteen year old girl (surely fourteen by now, though Time is a beast I no longer know) alone and without hope. Theia Rue, you will die today, I think with a hollow certainty.

No food. No shelter. Plenty of water, but that caused me the most anguish of all. Left or right. It feels like I am in a Roman Colosseum and they just asked me in what gruesome way do I wish to die. No matter what I choose, I will starve before I get anywhere. Cruel Fates.

Another wave of weeping hits me, hot tears spilling into the accursed stream below me. I sob for Theseus, who is surely dead by the hands of the Minotaur by now, him and all the other innocent kids from villages on the mainland.

I cry for the family I may one day see again, but even if I could, Mother would be dead of age and only Atticus had a slight chance to recognize me. Still that was better than their agonizing deaths if I had stayed. Oh, a double edged blade cuts twice as deep.

I weep for my late Father, that gentle giant, for none of this would have happened if he had stayed away from the executioner’s sword.

I mourn my own death, which is soon to come. Of this, I am certain.

How, pray tell, did I get here, this horrid situation? Why me? Everyone I love will be dead and gone but I will beat them to the Underworld, I am sure.

I gaze into the rippling water, to see the girl who thought she could save everyone. The fool who thought she could make a difference.

But I didn’t see her. In fact, the beautiful woman in the reflection looked not a thing like me at all. Another tear slides down my cheek to splash into the stream, yet something is… odd about it.

I watch the drop fall, as it takes on a yellow luster. When it hits the water, it unleashes a small burst of brilliant gold the color of a bright full moon. I watch the individual drop join a swirl around the otherworldly visage, like a frame made of ichor and honey straight from the heavens itself. I can see each little rivulet of water join the procession. I can manage nothing but to stare in awe.

“Hello, little hero,” the woman says in a gentle voice. The same one I heard speak in my dream all of those nights ago. “You have done well. I see you continued your journey, without any help from me, might I add. For it was really your instincts that have guided you. Only the strongest women I have met can manage this.”

One word finally escapes my still lips. “Artemis.” It wasn’t a question.

“You are stronger than you think, Theia. You must not lose hope.”

“B-but,” I stammer. “It’s impossible. I can’t do it.”

“Now, now. Surely you know, as all good Greeks do, that nothing is possible for those the gods favor.”

“Favor? Why would you favor me? I’m a nobody. I can’t even find my way out of the woods.”

“Why tell yourself these lies? It is of no use to you. You have a brave heart and a strong spirit, child. You have the utmost potential. I know you can get out of this place. You have the skills to. How else could you find a campsite of the Huntresses not a day after we moved on? Look down.”

I see tents had been pitched in the clearing. Those large paws from earlier criss-crossed dozens of boot prints that looked just like the one I had seen upstream.

“But… How? Why?”

“Those are questions you must answer for yourself, Theia Rue. Be warned, however, young hero, and stay alert. Even now, the King’s men hunt for you. Now you must escape this island. When you do, you will find us in another wood, not far past the shores you land on. There you can join the ranks of the Hunters of Artemis.”

“Not if?” I asked.

The image of Artemis swirling in the stream shakes her head and smiles. Her visage begins to fade away. In a panic, I yell for her to wait, though I know it is no use. I did not want her comforting presence to go.

The water that had swirled in liquid gold and defied the current just moments before now slips downstream once more. I chase it.

🙚🙙 🙚🙙 🙚🙙

I hop back and forth across the currents below, not letting the glowing strip of light out of my sight. I know it is guiding me, through bend and fork without ceasing.

I keep running even as I tire after what feels like an eternity of sprinting. I take a sharp left at the fifth fork I pass, following the otherworldly rivulet. Suddenly, the golden water arcs into the air before disappearing into the depths.

My heart sinks until I realize I must not need its guidance anymore. I take off again, and the tree roots and undergrowth seem to part before me. Not that I notice it, flying like I will never see overmorrow. I break out of the brush, tumble down a short bluff, and land in cool white sand.

When I regain my bearings, I shake out my braid to loose the sand and twigs it has undoubtedly collected. I jump to my feet. I made it. I made it to the shore! I whoop with joy before remembering I’m a fugitive. I freeze in fear, keeping my eyes and ears open for threats. Deeming things safe, I huddle low in a sand drift as white as snow, just in case. I don’t know if there are any towns nearby this secluded cape.

That is when I see it. An old, abandoned fishing boat. Maybe I’m getting a little help from some friends up on Olympus after all.

Τα Νέα Ξεκινήματα: Ta Néa Xekinímata: The New Beginnings

It wasn’t easy to fix the boat. However, it was well worth it to escape just in time. The last few days of repairs had gotten tense. I had heard angry nobles and their sons searching for me on horseback. Their voices got louder and closer every day.

When the little ship was finally seaworthy, I almost didn’t launch it. I need to test it, but I fear they will discover me if they hear it being launched. Late one afternoon, I see a tall, bald man riding a mare as I peek over the bushes and decide to risk it. It is now or never.

The second I move from my hiding spot, he sees me. I am confused when he turns his horse and runs away from me, but understand what he is doing all too soon.

He rallies his fellow searchers and they come for me right as I get to the boat. I push it with the strength of the desperate, a brute force to rival Heracles. I launch the boat not a second before the men hit the sand.

I dive into the sea, not even thinking about how I’d never learned to swim. Let a sea monster eat me for all I care, just don’t let them capture me.

Their hoof beats sound like the thunder of the first summer storm Zeus sends in his insatiable wrath. I swim even harder, with skill I never dreamed of. My head hits the hull, adding to the pounding in my ears. I climb aboard and lie on the deck, trying in vain to catch my breath.

I roll my head to the side to see if I am being followed, but apparently they do not know what to do next. They argue and swear. Still no one comes for me.

I think about my family one last time as the sun sets on Crete, my home for fourteen years (my whole life!). The island shrinks and fades in the distance before disappearing into the horizon. Deep down, I know I have made the right choice.

🌊🌊🌊

I reach a foreign shore after eight nights and seven days on the water. Miraculously, I found some edible food in the hold to tide me over until I saw land again. I don’t know if it had stayed good since the ship was abandoned or if some deity was sending their aid. I find a part of me wishing for the latter.

I wash up just before dawn after the eighth night. A pale rose glow starts up on the Eastern horizon. Remembering Artemis’s words to me, I begin to trek into the dark and foreboding woods. I take nothing but Father’s bow.

Though I do not know where I am going, my feet appear to guide the way. Once more, and for the last time, the forest parts for me. Dozens of animals line up along the newly forming path that seems to disappear behind me. Each creature stares at me, an intelligent gleam behind each set of beady little eyes.

While I certainly should feel some unease at all that occurs, I do not. After a while, I arrive at what my gut, my instincts, are telling me is my destination. The moment I step into the clearing, a thousand candles alight instantaneously.

Dozens, maybe even hundreds of women, emerge from the forest. Some drop from trees to the ground. Others move to lower branches or stalk forward along the ground. They study me but carefully avoid making eye contact. Their ages range from eight to twenty-five and every single one of them wears clothes as silver as beams of the moon.

These were the Hunters of Artemis.

They all snapped to an erect position, bows drawn but pointed at the ground. For Artemis, goddess of the moon, childbirth, archers, and the hunt, was emerging from the forest. And the entire forest went silent. She spoke in a benevolent yet commanding voice:

“Step forward.” I did.

“Theia, daughter of Sebastian, and warrior of Crete,” she looked me in the eye as she spoke. I nodded when she paused.

“You have proved yourself a worthy candidate to join the ranks of the Hunters of Artemis. I believe your character and skills would make you a beneficial addition to this band of elite huntresses. And so, do you, Theia Rue, accept the call of the forest, forswear all romantic endeavors, and pledge your loyalty to the Hunters of Artemis as a dedicated warrior for eternity, lest you break your oath or sustain fatal wounds in the heat of battle?” This was it. The moment of truth.

I take a deep breath and do not hesitate to say, “I do.”

“It is done!” she proclaims. The other women have shouldered their bows and begin to applaud.

One approaches me and says, “Congratulations. You are now forever 14, but don’t worry. We’ll keep you busy.”

“Will I still get to know what happens in the outside world?”

She sighed. She knew what I was really asking. “It is hard to see your loved ones pass, but you should know that Theseus is alive.” My jaw dropped. Another huntress chimed in:

“He killed the Minotaur and…” she glanced around, snorted, and looked me in the eye with a serious face, but broke down laughing.

The first young woman finished, saying, “He has taken a lover.”

That did not strike me as his personality, but I shrugged.

“He can live his new life however he wants,” I said. “I’ve got my own path to follow.”

Το Τέλος. To Télos. The End.

Writing Challenge Winner: A Summer In Time by Kerrigan Thompson

Kerrigan Thompson is a twelve-year old writer who participated and completed the summer 2024 Hero’s Journey Writing Challenge. Kerrigan’s hilarious and adventure-filled short story, “A Summer in Time,” is filled with twists and turns.

Read Kerrigan’s epic short story below:

Chapter 1

Summers were the most boring time of the year in Bellville. Most all of the town’s small population left on camping trips or vacations; you get the picture. If the town had known what would happen during the summer, I’m certain that they would have stayed for the summer. Well, it’s time for me to tell you what actually happened during last summer in Bellville . . .

Lydia Dick was probably one of the few people from Bellville that actually stayed summer. All of the shops were closed, because the owners had left for the summer. Most houses sat dark and empty. Ghost Town describes what Bellville is during the summer.

I sat on a bench, alone in Bellville’s one and only park. Not even my best friend was still in town. Heidi had gone away to stay with her aunt for the summer. Heidi doesn’t even keep in touch. While she is having the time of her life, I’m sitting here in boring Bellville. What even made Mom want to move here? Oh, right, I forgot: ‘Small town vibes are the perfect place for you to grow up’ She actually said that. And now, we’ve been here for five months! Is she trying to torture me? Let me tell you something; Mom always gets her way. Sure, I love her and all- but can she try to cut down on all of the bossing around and persistence? Because of her bossiness, I’m sitting in an abandoned park! She told me that she wanted me to leave the house so that she could do some ‘summer cleaning’, when there is like nothing even open in town! Now that I’m kicked out of the house, I’m bored. My thoughts wander. Hmmmmm, I hope Mom knows that it’s summer not spring- wait, what am I even thinking about? Okay, now I really need some- thing to do since I’m thinking about seasons.

I get up from the bench, and walk towards the exit of the park. It only takes me about 9 seconds to get out of the park (it’s that small). Small towns come with smaller things like parks, I start to realize. I sigh loudly, as I walk onto main street. All of the shops have signs that say something like: Closed for the summer, come back on August 15th. What a bore. Now I’m considering making a movie on my phone about a ghost town. I guess I would need more actors. . . but it is a ghost town, so I could be the only one here. Just for fun(and so I don’t die of boredom), I think as I pull out my phone and tap the camera app. I click on video, and go to find the right place for the first scene.

I pick to shoot the first scene by a street sign. After I find the perfect angle, I prop up my phone. Then I hit record, and ran to take my place. I can cut that part out later. I walk over to the sign and read the street name.

“Main street,” I read. “Must be in the right place. I can’t wait to meet all of the people!”

I walk up, and then sneak back over to end the video. The second scene involves my character looking for people, and then trying to find something to do- so pretty much how my life has been lately. The next seven scenes are of my character trying to entertain herself, but failing. The final scene is me dying of boredom. Yes, I die at the end- from boredom.

After I edited it and put it into one video/movie, I sent it to Heidi. I also decide to also text:

Lydia: This is what the summer is like in Bellville.

Then I look at the time. 12:36AM, Uh, seriously! I only managed to kill twenty-five minutes. Is time working against me? I’m actually starting to think. Then my phone pings with a text. It’s probably Heidi, I think. I checked it.

Mom: You can come home in half an hour!

“Wait, what is that emoji? Soap-no one uses the soap emoji-come on Mom!” I murmured out loud as read the text, since it wasn’t like there was anyone around to hear me. I sigh as I send her a smiley face, which normal people actually use. Some people just never learn.

I decide to wander the streets to look for any sign of life. Zero activity happening. This place is truly dead. Even the squirrels aren’t hanging around! Only 15 minutes left before I need to be home. Since I had enough time, I could go the long route. I zig-zag through different neighborhoods (all deserted). My phone pings, and I stop on the sidewalk to read the text.

Heidi: I’ll watch it tomorrow or at some point. I’m having so much fun!!! Need to get back to my friends

Some best friend. She didn’t even say ‘my other best friends’. It was as if she didn’t even consider me her friend at all. I shove my phone in my pocket. I’m so done with texts today. I’m about to keep walking, but I swear I saw a figure in one of the windows of the little gray house I was standing in front of. Creepy.

I study the house suspiciously. I’ve never seen any people inside. I had thought it was just an abandoned house. The bushes out front were sticking out in all directions, the grass was severely overgrown, and there were weeds all over the place.

Just then, the door squeaks open and a arm appears. It throws a paper airplane that flies over to me. The door shuts. Okay, now I really need to get out of here. I’m about to step over the plane, when I realize it says: Read Me

I grab it and run, reading it on my way.

Come back here tomorrow at 9:00AM sharp; I need your help!

Chapter 2

I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t scared after reading the message written on the paper airplane. First the figure in the window, and then the message on the paper airplane. What is happening to my life? Creepy notes – check. Strange figures – check. Probably haunted house – check. All that is left to happen is some murderer that is hiding in that house or something. Okay, my life has gone from totally boring to creepy and unexplainable events in a matter of minutes. I’m tempted to message Heidi but then remember that she’s busy with her ‘best friends’,which don’t include me.

I’m only a few houses away from my own, which is a relief. As I walk up the driveway, I throw the crumpled up paper airplane in our garbage can. It would only remind me of where I have to go tomorrow at 9:00 AM sharp. It’s going to be a early morning tomorrow. Between the facts that I hate waking up early, and my wild thoughts of what might get done to me (or what I have to do/help with), I am not looking forward to any part of tomorrow.

When I open the front door and walk inside, I immediately have an major coughing ft. Mom wasn’t kidding about the summer cleaning; the house reeks of the smell of chemicals and cleaning supplies. My family would have to wear gas masks to even be able to survive this insanity. Even though all of the windows are wide open, the smell doesn’t go anywhere. My family is no where, but whatever. I need to get outside. The sliding door is also open, and I go through it. My family is over by the fence; the location farthest from the house. I’ve soon reached their location. I hear what they are talking about.

“Come on, Everleigh, don’t be dramatic,” Mom is saying to my older sister.

“Seriously, we have to camp outside if we want to live to see tomorrow!” shouts Everleigh, who was totally overdoing it. The smell isn’t going to kill us, but I would rather sleep outside. It’s still seriously unbelievable that she didn’t even notice the smell as she kept on doing her summer cleaning.

After they finally agreed (on staying outside for the day), they made a game plan.

“You go get our old camping gear, and then start putting the tents together,” Mom instructed Everleigh as she walked inside. “As for you, please locate the sleeping bags for tonight.” My younger brother, Waylon, had been leaning against the fence. I rolled my eyes along with Waylon, about our Mom always being prepared. My mission/ assignment was to get food for the rest of the day. I think Mom was getting entertainment for the rest of our day. As I entered the house, I gagged. I still couldn’t get over how bad it really actually was.

Once in the kitchen, I looked in the pantry and then also in the fridge. I grabbed a box of crackers, some cheese, and some other snacks. Since that was all that I could carry, I went back outside to my family (and room-mates). Only one of our tents had taken shape. . . but it didn’t look like a tent at all. Everleigh must have been the one to put that one together, sort of. There were random poles that stuck through the tent’s outside material, and the ceiling wasn’t even, so it was taller on one side and shorter on the other(there was also the fact that it looked like it could topple over if the wind hit it). I wasn’t the only one doubting her skills – Waylon was also. I felt bad for the kid; he had to go inside to lay out all four sleeping bags.

Worst case scenario, the tent would collapse the minute he got inside. A pole would come crashing down, and would bang the top of his head. He would black out and end up with a concussion. My mom, my sister, and me would hold onto hope that he wouldn’t die. Okay, here’s a important life lesson; don’t let you’re thoughts wander too much because you’re thoughts can scare you. You don’t need as many problems as I have.

A few hours later, both tents have been put up correctly. We had lunch and then we played Uno. Waylon won. It was now 8:00PM, and Mom had confirmed that the odor was gone. I’m not sure why Mom decided to have us put up the tents, when it wasn’t like we were going to have to sleep in them. Now we had to take them down.

As I worked on un-assembling my tent I thought (once again) about that little gray house. I had to talk to someone about it. When my work was complete, I went inside and knocked on Everleigh’s door. I knew she could keep secrets and that Everleigh was a good listener so she was my only option.

“Come in,” Everleigh said, muffed through the door. I saw that she was reading a magazine as I walked inside her room. It wasn’t surprising that her room was clean, considering Mom’s cleaning spree.

“I’m in need of advice,” I say. Everleigh nodded seriously. “So you know Heidi? She called me earlier and she told me about getting a weird invitation to a creepy house. Do you think I should tell her to go or not?”

Of course this was a lie, but I needed someone else’s thoughts about if I should go through with it.

“I think that she should go through with it because she might miss out on a awesome party or making a new friend. But if she doesn’t feel comfortable going, then she shouldn’t,” she told me after she had a moment of thought. I pretended to text Heidi, but I was actually setting my alarm. Then I went to bed.

Chapter 3

The next day I walked up to the little gray house. Getting out of the house early without suspicion was easier than I had expected. They probably thought that I was just getting away from the faint lingering smell of chemicals and cleaning supplies. I had kind of hoped that they would have caught me sneaking out or stopped me, but there was no such luck. Going inside the creepy gray house definitely wasn’t on my bucket list. It would be more likely to be on my Top Ten Fears list.

So here I was, standing in front of a place I didn’t want to be at 8:59PM. Uncomfortable was an under – statement. If I hadn’t been invited I wouldn’t ever have gone anywhere near this house. Why couldn’t it have been abandoned? My problems would never have started. Uh, why did I even show up here. I wouldn’t even care if that mystery person thought I was a coward.

Since I was collecting my many thoughts, I didn’t realize that someone had opened the front door. But it had, and I was only just starting to realize that some guy (that I’d never seen before in my entire life) was waving at me as he stood on the front porch. Believe me, I was trying my hardest not to let my (major) shock show, but it was physically impossible. How in the fve whole months that I’ve walked past this house I’ve never once seen him (except for yesterday- but that was only his arm). Okay, Lydia, I’m completely positive that I’m not blind, otherwise I wouldn’t have seen him today, obviously.

So I did the nicest thing I could think of;I waved and smiled like I was some happy neighbor of his. I made my way slowly up the front walk. The guy was studying his yard like it was his first time seeing it.

“I didn’t realize my yard was getting to be such a mess,” he says, except he says it like it’s a very deep and private mind-blowing confession. Okay, that was pretty rude of me for even thinking that.

“It’s not that bad,” I say, even as my leg gets whacked by a majorly overgrown weed. I didn’t even know that weeds could grow to be so big when left unattended (for over five months I presume. This guy must not realize that there is such a thing called yard work). He looked around the neighborhood like it was his first time seeing it.

Since I was the only person (besides that man ) in the neighborhood no one else could see this man. Even if I had decided to tell anyone (which I for sure would not) no one would believe me. Someone in Bellville would turn my story about the man leaving his house for the first time in months to a ghost emerging outside and chasing me away. It’s not like I would just secretly take a picture of him with my phone without him even noticing. Even though I conveniently brought my phone, it doesn’t mean that I planned to take as many pictures as possible, but I only brought it so I can easily call for backup.

Suddenly the guy is calling me inside. So, um, no introductions? I’m seriously going into a stranger’s house without even knowing his name! If I want to find out why he invited me here I have to go inside. So I do.

I was very surprised when I saw that the inside is completely clean. It actually looks pretty normal. Yeah, a little outdated, but it’s not surprising. Next he leads me down a hallway and into a room.

He sits down, and so do I.

“I just want to ask you a few questions to determine whether you can help me or not,” he says. I nod, very confused, but can you blame me?

“What’s your name?” he asks me.

“Lydia,” I reply

“I’m Julian. How old are you?”

“Thirteen,”

“Are you into engineering or anything like that?”

“Ummm not totally,”

“Would you be comfortable coming here on a regular basis?” “Well if I’m not ‘helping’ with anything dangerous, then yes,”

“Ok, what I’m about to show you is a secret. You are not to tell anyone of its existence EVER!!!”

Then he gets up and leaves the room. I have no choice but to follow. Julian unlocks a different door and then opens it. We both enter.

There is this shiny contraption with levers and buttons. I can tell it’s hollow, with just enough space for a person to ft inside.

“What is that?” I breathe, still in shock.

“It’s a time machine, and I would like you to try it out for me,” Julian says so simply, I have to register what he just said. After a moment of thought I say yes. Who can blame me?

“Okay I’m going to have you go inside. You have to press the green button on the wall. Once you are in the future, I need you to find a calendar and take a picture of the year. Then press this button when you are done,” he hands me the button. And then I go inside. I press the first button I see.

And just like that I’m no longer where I used to be. This is not the future, it’s the past. I’m in 19-something. I do not wish to tell you about my surroundings because I’m way too embarrassed. I couldn’t find a calendar, so I in – stead recorded myself asking a person what year it was.

I exit and play my recording. I was in 1999.

“I pressed the past button,” I say truthfully. He looks at me before saying:

“I want you to come back tomorrow. Your eagerness and your truthfulness is what I’ve been looking for. I would appreciate your assistance,”

“Thanks,” is all I can sputter.

What happened???

Chapter 4

So he had apparently wanted me to come back because I was honest and willing to help (or something like that). Julian seemed really lonely and I wasn’t about to give up the offer of trying out his time machine again. Obviously I agreed.

After that I left his house and I’m now back in my bedroom. No one was really suspected anything. I told them I was at some secret hide out, but they didn’t even seem to care. Waylon must have been playing with some toys or something, and Everleigh was sulking over her computer as she scrolled through her friends’ new posts.

As for Mom? She was looking through her files. Mom definitely isn’t sorting them, because she would only scan them for certain information and then put them back. I had no idea what was up with that, so I went into my room and plopped on my bed. My phone dinged. I saw that I had five missed messages.

Heidi: watched ur video last nite

Yesterday

Heidi: like y r u even home during the summer?

Yesterday

Heidi: y r u not answering my texts? did you already die from boredom?

Yesterday

Heidi: its not like u have better things to do

Yesterday

Heidi: guess what??? my cool uncle took us to a coffee shop and actually let us order coffee!!!

Today

Wow, so now she texts me. And she thinks that getting coffee is cool. If she only knew that I time traveled.

I don’t even care enough to answer her texts. And those rude comments – uh. I’m starting to think that the day that

I block her texts is very soon.

Not much happened the rest of the day. Mom kept digging through files until she had to make dinner. Everleigh complained about all of the fun that her friends were having and ‘why did we have to stay in this ghost town during the summer.’ Waylon straight up left the table once he was finished eating to avoid all of what he called ‘girl drama.’ I was jealous of the kid. He was just small enough to leave the room unnoticed, but I didn’t have any issues because they were caught up in their argument.

Then it was the next morning. I sneaked out fairly early and I noticed that Everleigh and Mom weren’t talking. But that wasn’t my problem. If I didn’t show up on time then Julian would figure that I didn’t want to come back.

Now I’m in front of his house. It’s not long before I get let in. Julian has something planned. Once we reach the room he tells me it.

“I’m going to teach you how to work it,” Julian says. Then the instructions come. First you have to choose the place that you want to go, the time period, and there are many levers and buttons. After an hour of this, Julian wants me to do it for real. I can go wherever I want. I start off with the map. I’ve wanted to know what Bellville was like a few years ago. Were the summers always this boring and empty? I find Bellville on the map and click on it.

Thirteen is my lucky number, so I choose thirteen years in the past. Then I pull and press buttons and the machine starts. I got inside. Julian makes no comments, so I can only guess that I’ve programmed it correctly.

Then I’m in the past.

Bellville looks the same. The old buildings. And it’s also abandoned. Even though it’s a bust, I still decide to wander around. There are less houses in the neighborhoods, but otherwise it’s the same.

I hear music coming from the street behind the one I’m on. Maybe there is a party. I soon reach the street with the music. It’s Julian’s street. And the lights are on in Julian’s house. Has Julian lived here for that long?

I can tell that the music is coming from the backyard. Also the yard isn’t overgrown at all. Weird. Maybe it isn’t Julian who is living here. Even so, I creep over to the fence gate and look through. The sight confuses me.

Julian is standing in the backyard alone. But then a young Everleigh comes outside through Julian’s back door. Everleigh stands there waiting for someone. Then Mom comes out with a baby me in her arms. What???????

Then I’m more confused. Everleigh looks behind her and then screams “Grandpa!” Mom just smiles. That’s all I can take. I press the button to go back. When I’m inside, I just stare at a wall.

Can this be possible? Does Julian even know? Either way, I need to just come out and say something. So I do. I stare at the ground and then at Julian.

“You’re my grandpa?” I ask. He seems shocked. But then realization strikes. I can’t handle it, so I run out of the room and out the front door.

I’m soon home. I find my Mom and then ask her why she didn’t tell us about Julian living here.

“How do you know about him?” Mom asks, confused.

“I’ve been meeting with him since yesterday. I he why we moved here?” I ask.

“Yes. Years ago we lost touch. As you know, we don’t have any other family. I decided to move here. Since we’ve moved here I’ve forgotten his address. This town has grown over the years. Recently, I’ve been searching for where I wrote down his address. . . but you’ve met him? You know where he lives?” Mom says. I nod.

“Are you going to tell Everleigh and Waylon?” I ask. I don’t think I could keep such a secret. Mom nods and then calls them into the room, and I leave. I go into my room and fop on my bed.

I can’t say I’m not happy!

Chapter 5

Over the rest of the summer, things couldn’t have been different. I wasn’t the only one heading to Julian’s everyday. My siblings were shocked at both the fact that we have a grandpa and the whole time machine existence thing. Waylon was more confused about Julian than Everleigh because she could still recall a faint memory of him. But I can say that Waylon had been a big fan of the time machine. Julian was able to teach Waylon the reins of it in a short amount of time. I’d never known how good at machinery Waylon was. Waylon had the creative touch as him and he even looked like him. Mom and Everleigh even went to the past and or future.

Now the summer was over. Most of the town had returned. It was much harder to get to Julian’s house un-noticed, so eventually we had to stop going. We couldn’t risk any of Bellevile’s getting suspicious, investigating, and finding out about his secret. But that wasn’t what ended up happening that exposing Julian’s secret . . .

Me, Everleigh, Waylon, and Mom were at the grocery store. The place was packed, being that everyone had just came back from their vacation and needing to restock their fridge. All shelves were emptying very quickly. We had been lucky to get here earlier to find our groceries. Even though, we were still stuck in a long line. Very boring. There was only one employee that was checking everyone out. It must have been exhausting. Everleigh was texting her friends to make plans to meet up. Waylon looked bored out of his mind. He glanced at the six people in front of us and then said to Mom: “I would rather be at Julian’s; his time machine is fun,”

A few of the ladies in front of us turned and stared. First the phones were whipped out. Then the whispers started. But they were completely audible.

“Isn’t Julian that guy with the overgrown yard?”

“I thought that Julian had moved away years ago!”

“A time machine?!”

“You heard it too?”

“Is it true??”

“It must be! I’ve heard clanking in that house!!”

Mom slapped her face, and then looked at Waylon. He looked just as shocked as the others.

“Let’s get out of here,” Mom said. She abandons her cart and then we dash out.

“We need to tell Julian that the secret’s out,”

We get in the car and get on our way. At least Everleigh is off her phone. . .

I still can’t get over what Waylon did. I’m not sure whether to be mad or glad. The secret would have gotten out at some point. This was better than some random teenager sneaking into the (haunted) house and then finding the time machine.

We soon arrive at Julian’s house. Mom is the first person out of the car and is now banging on his door.

Waylon is sobbing on the lower half of Everleigh’s shirt. It’s a mess, is all I can say.

Julian shows no visual expression when my Mom tells him what happened. Our family goes inside and just sit in the living room. No one moves. No one says anything. Everyone chooses this time to remain silent. Even Waylon has quieted after his meltdown outside. This goes on for two hours.

Then Everleigh gets up and goes into the kitchen for a snack.

“How do you get your groceries when you never leave the house?” she asks as she scans his fridge.

“I get them delivered to my doorstep,” Waylon says, still not moving from his spot on the rocking chair. Everleigh grabs a bottled water, closes the fridge and then gets a handful of crackers from the pantry. As

she opens the water some leaks out. She goes over to the sink and wipes the water with a dishtowel. Everleigh put the dish towel back, but then paused to stare out the window.

“Uhhhh, half of the town is on the front lawn,” Everleigh says, glancing back at us. Everyone stares back at her, eyes wide. Then all at once, we jump up and crowd in front of the nearest window to see for yourself. It’s true.

“Okay, are you guys to stand here gawking for another two hours just like earlier?” Everleigh asks and then continued crunching on her crackers. Except everyone (except for me) just looked at all of those people. Most were arguing loudly or were sharing what they had heard. Either way, that didn’t stop me from marching out the door.

Yeah, I didn’t totally work out my plan. Now I’m standing in front of most of town. Just defend Julian, is all I can think of.

“Why are you all here?” I ask them. Of course know why they are here, but I still need to find out what part they think they have with the time machine.

“THE TIME MACHINE!” they yell. Noisy, are we?

“What point did you want to prove by gathering here?”

“For years, Julian was building a secret time machine. He hid it from us! We had the right to know!!!!!” one lady said, and the rest agreed.

“Let me tell you something. Why do you think that Julian hid the time machine? Judgement? No! He had to keep it a secret because he knew that all of you would be jealous and try to steal it for themself. You all are what is called self-centered. Over all of those years, you showed no interest in Julian. You didn’t care about anything that he did. But then when he had something you wanted, now you show interest in him? WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE ARE YOU??? Just go home and forget this ever happened. Maybe then, Julian will forgive you,” I say. Then I leave . . . and they do to. And then everything was fine.

So that’s is what went down in Bellville, that one summer. I’m sure no one will forget it.

And in case you were wondering; the time machine is now open to the whole town. But let me tell you – our story wasn’t over; because things aren’t always perfect. Even with a time machine the future can change.

The End

Writing Challenge Winner: The Amazing Adventure of Amelia Smith by Lisanna Swallow

Lisanna Swallow is an eleven-year old writer who participated and completed the summer 2024 Hero’s Journey Writing Challenge. Her short story, The Amazing Adventure of Amelia Smith” features an incredible tale of dragons and slayers, betrayals, and triumphs.

Read Lisanna’s incredible short story below:

Part One

            Dragons, said to be horrible monsters that burn down villages at a time. Only the brave or people with death wishes face them. That’s when Amelia Smith came in. She fought dragons, saved people, and hung dragon heads on her wall as a trophy. Everyone  admired and loved her. She now lives in a castle-like cottage in the middle of a small village, her hometown. She lives with her one daughter. She sells dragon parts for a living. Everyone still admires her. Honestly, sometimes, I don’t understand it. I am Amelia Smith the third. Her one and only daughter. Welcome to my mind.

          Other people don’t understand it. They don’t see it happen. She doesn’t just slay the dragons, she murders them. One day, when I was younger, she let me meet one of the dragons. The dragon was a baby hydra. Mother had already killed its family. The hydra had many heads already. The hydra was sweet and joyful. She was also weary and shaky. Poor thing. That day, I bonded with the hydra. I named her Ginger. I tried to stop Mother from butchering her. Mother was not pleased. She forced me to watch it happen. 

          Most every dragon Mother brought into the butcher was kind. It filled my heart with terrible guilt and the horrible pang of sadness to let it happen. But there was nothing to do! Every try failed. This continued on and on. There was no stopping it. Another day, another dragon. Another try, another watching the butcher. It was a horrible punishment. Mother did not seem to care for the dragons she was murdering. It made me look at her another way. As if she wasn’t my mother, but a heartless butcher.

          “Today will be different.”, I whisper to myself as I get out of bed. I change my clothes and walk to the rusty kitchen. An egg lay on the table. Not a dragon egg, but a chicken egg. One purposed for eating or cooking. I see that the firepot was already lit. I crack the egg to eat for breakfast. The fire is slowly dying, the egg will take a while to cook. I sit in patience and loneliness. I remember the days Mother would eat with me. Back when we had Father. 

          After finishing my egg, I head out of the cottage doors. A raven, tall and proud, is perched on the barren roof. I click my tongue and stick my arm out. Sure enough, tied to his leg is a letter. It reads:

Amelia Smith III

A letter? For me? I untie the parchment from the raven and reward him with a scrap of meat before he flies home towards the rising sun. 

          I run back inside and sit on the dragon scale carpet in the main room. I maliciously tear open the envelope to reveal a parchment that reads:

 Amelia Smith III,

Somebody told me that you like dragons, That you don’t  want to hunt them. I respect that. I, too, am against dragon hunting. I know of a dragon that needs saving. A dragon that you can save. For I am far too old and fat to become a dragon hero. You, however, are young and spry. The dragon in speaking is a hydra. I believe your mother has butchered his sister. Enclosed in this document is a map. That will guide you to the hydra. The hydra is now in captivity. He is being tortured and will be butchered in a month. The journey will take time. I hope you make it to him before it is too late.

Caspian

Who is Caspian? Nevermind that! In the letter he mentioned a hydra! But also another one, one my mother butchered! I believe he is talking about Ginger. I pull the map from the document and read it. The journey is long, stretched wide and far. It will be a long and perilous journey. I plan my route.  The route is supposedly the quickest route but I have no horse to ride upon so I must go on foot. It also has many valleys, many forests. Spots on the map say in red, bold writing; “DRAGON SIGHTINGS HERE” The path I chose has many of those spots.

 It is only noon. I will not set out on my journey today. For today is a day for packing, planning, and preparing. I run to my room. Ready to pack my items. I grab a lightweight handbag. I also grab my bow and arrow satchel. I will need to hunt. I run to the kitchen and find something to contain  water. I run outside towards the well. I fill the canister with water and stuff it into my bag. I run back into my house and straight into the kitchen. I grab all the scraps of food as I can and put them into my bag. My bag is only a bit more than halfway full. I run into the barn and grab a rope and knife. In the barn, I see a compass, laying on the floor. I think for a minute and decide to grab it. My bag is finally full. I run to the room and stuff it under my bed along with the map, letter, and bow and arrow set.I eat dinner alone. My mother is too busy to bother. I go to bed and try to sleep well. The thought of running away is nagging at my brain. I can’t just leave her alone without a word! Can I? I will write a note. I know it doesn’t really make a difference but it helps me sleep. And that is all that matters now.

I awake. It is early. The sun hasn’t risen yet. I grab my quill and ink and begin to write the note:

Mother,

It is time I go on an adventure of my own. I will be back

                                Your daughter,

                                        Amelia

It has happened. I am off. I will become a hero. A dragon hero.

Part Two

      I sit down on the dusty, pathless floor. I have been traveling all morning. From the looks of the dim sun in the middle of the sky  it is around noon. I pull the dry map from the coarse leather bag on my back. The tree I am sitting by is big. It is so big that it is a landmark on my map. I am still very far from the spot circled in red ink. I move my eyes back to the silhouette of the tree and see in red ink “DRAGON SIGHTINGS HERE” right by it. A rustle in the nearly-dead bushes sends me aback in shock.

I grab my leather handbag and fling it above the lowest branch I tie it on and climb as high as a can. Quickly and quietly at the same time I grasp the highest branch I can and thrust myself up to it. There are more rustles in the bushes. The orange autumn leaves stop me from seeing the cause of the rustling. The forest is beautiful and calming. The chilly autumn breeze gives me a warm sense of home. I get a tight grip on my branch and duck down. A slick, green, snakelike figure with a long tail sits in the clearing. It has two teal goat like horns and two wings far too small to support its body. Its legs have huge claws pointing out and it has two mini horns between the large horns. It sniffs the air and turns its head around. What if it smells me? 

It lays down. It doesn’t see me. What a relief! I have let the thoughts go through too soon. The snapping of a branch fills my body with ice cold fear. My leather bag falls and almost hits the creature’s scaly tail. Its reflexes were swift and quick. Before I knew it it’s perched on the thin branch next to me. A dragon! I lose my footing and plummet forwards. As I fall back from the tree, my heart races with the sudden rush of adrenaline. The regret of climbing so high hits me hard. The dragon pounces forward. Its long claws grip into my coat and keep me from falling. The dragon is smaller than I thought. It’s about the size of a large lion. “Grab my wrist.” It speaks! I do as it says. Excited and scared at the same time. A talking dragon! It flings its wrist over its head and I land on its back. It jumps off of the branch and its wings seem to expand magically. The wingspan is about as long as a pitchfork. We landed and I jumped off of its back. “Thank you.” I say. The dragon bows its head and opens his mouth. “I am Mars. Peacemaker for the animals. Dragon of Shamrock woods. I help all problems and aid all that need it. What brings you here?” 

Its voice was male. He looked at me expectantly. “I am Amelia Smith the third. My mother is a butcher to dragons but I attempt to pass through the forest in peace. For dragons are my friends and a hydra on the other side has been sentenced to death. I will save him.” I grab my bag and see an arrow poking out of its satchel, the tip glistened dark red in fresh blood. I turn to Mars to see him lying on the ground, a sleek cut on his tail staining onto the dying tan grass. “My arrows! How could I be so careless?!” I think aloud. Mars stands up, his tail thrashing to the side, shiny red droplets falling to the grass, walking towards me.  I prepare myself for the fiery wrath of a dragon but instead he stops and sits beside me. 

“Do not blame yourself. The tree is to blame. It was the branch that had snapped. The fact that the bag stayed on shows that you tied a strong knot onto the tree. You are better than you think. For it was the tree that could not handle you. Why else would the branch have thrown you off?” Mars looks at me and blinks sympathetically. Suddenly, he jumps off of the floor and into the sky. He is gone. I am alone. I lie down and look at the map. Wind blows in my face and Mars is back. He has stuff in his jaws. He lands and sets it down. His tail is bleeding heavily. “There are healing herbs and honey not far down north.” Mars speaks. He wants me to grab them. I stand and walk into the forest. 

I spot the herbs quickly and set them all in a pile together. A buzzing bee hive drips honey. Though there is nowhere to catch it. I spot a spear like stone and grab it. I walk up to the hive. I gulp at the sight of so many bees. I whisper to myself. “I can do this.”  I dig the stone knife into the yellow hive. Bees swarm out, stinging me, they mostly get my hands and arms. It doesn’t hurt very bad but it sickens me with guilt at the thought of all of them dying to hurt me. I grab a leaf and use it to catch the warm, fresh honey oozing out of the damaged hive.

I return to the clearing to find Mars awaiting me. My coat is sewn up from the claw marks and the hole where the arrow broke through the satchel is mended. I give Mars his herbs. He silently fixes up a poultice. I look to the sky and realize the sun is setting. I grab my water canister and drink a few thirsty gulps. I get my bow and arrows ready. “I’m going to go hunting.”  I tell Mars.

I catch a deer. Mars’s wound has finally stopped bleeding. It is magically stitched up. Mars starts a fire and I cook the deer. As I eat it Mars talks. “I want to mentor you. Teach you the ways of the dragon. The forest. So when you save the hydra you will be ready. I want to come with you.” I reply  “Thank you Mars. You can come with me. We leave the forest tomorrow.” I rest along the tree tonight. Mars is curled in a ball in the clearing.  

Lisanna's original drawing of Mars
Lisanna’s Original Drawing of Mars

Part Three

I awake. Mars is curled in a ball in the clearing. I sit up. It is morning. I breathe in the fresh lake air. The warm summer sun is warming my entire body. I sit up and pick up a few ripe tomatoes from a vine. Then, a hydra runs into the lake and shouts. “Save me!” Its voice is a dying groan of many voices together. It falls to the floor. “Mars!” I shout his name. He doesn’t awake. I shake him yet his body lays limp. He is dead. An arrow soars past my head. I hear a scream and the entire world comes different and falls into cold darkness.  

          I awake with a jump, my mind pulling itself back into consciousness. “Just a dream.” I whisper to myself. The chilly autumn forest surrounds me, A warm sense of home fills my thoughts. Shamrock woods is much like the forest by my house. A rustle in the autumn thicket startles me. Mars sticks his head out of the bush and then he jumps swiftly onto the clearing. His eyes gleam with an unhidden sense of confidence. “Are you ready to set off?” He asks, spreading his wings magically, almost knocking down one of the ancient trees with the size of his scaly wings. I stand up and stretch. I throw the bag over my shoulders and sit on his back. His wings flap, gusting a wind that rustles every leaf within ten feet of the clearing. He jumps greatly and we are in the sky. We are off.

          After a while of flying, the clouds seem to thicken. Finally, it starts to drizzle. Next, it’s raining. The rain keeps getting heavier and heavier. “I can’t fly in this.” Mars honestly announces. We glide down until we reach ground. “We are still in Shamrock woods.” Mars’s news disappoints me. “When will we be out?” I ask. “After the Sphinx’s maze.” “The what?” “You will see.” I look around and see a landmark that I remember on the map, the landmark that shows the exit. “We will continue on foot.” I decide. Mars nods and we walk forward. 

          We continue on until the path is blocked by a tall thicket of cold, green thorns. The green was dark and eerie. I see a tree. Its leaves are a dying orange like all of the other trees in the forest. The tree is gnarled and there are birds nests in it. The bushes are the only green in the whole woods.  Mars mutters something in another language. The hedge opens like a door in front of me. I shudder. Mars nudges my back and I step forward. I keep walking and Mars enters the bushes too. It somewhat looks like a giant maze. The hedge door slams shut and Mars sits down. “We have entered the Sphinx’s maze.” His voice sounded solemn and the leaves beside me rustle. I attempt to jump backwards but Mars’s horns push me forward. He moves to the side and I stand next to him. A large creature appears out of the bushes. A sphinx! 

          “I am the sphinx of the Thornbush maze. Only one may pass.” The sphinx walked away to let us decide. Mars looks at me and I realize he knew that this would happen. “I have to leave you now. The time has come for us to part. I will see you again.” I open my mouth to say a remark but he launches himself up into the air. “Goodbye, Amelia. I hope we meet again.” I stare in disbelief. I have to make it through the bushes. I tell myself over and over again. Not for myself, but for the hydra, but for Mars, and for my mother. So that she can see that killing these magnificent creatures is wrong. 

          The cold voice of the sphinx breaks me from my thoughts. “Amelia, is it?” I turn to face her and give a quiet nod.  She grimaces and stares into my eyes. “Well, Amelia, You will have to complete a quick riddle before entering the maze. You will get three guesses.” “Let me know when you are ready to hear the riddle.” I prepare myself. “I’m ready.” I gulp. “I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind. What am I?” The sphinxes voice rings. “Three guesses.” 

          “A shadow.” I answer. I try to make my voice confident to hide my fear. “No.” The word rings in my head. It doesn’t stop. It’s wailing cries. Then it’s clear to me! “A ghost!” This time, the confidence in my voice isn’t fake. “Wrong again” The sphinxes voice rasps. I look up to the sky in vain, half hoping that Mars would come back down. He doesn’t come to me but the answer does. The rain is the mouth, the sun is the ears. “A cloud.” This time I answer truthfully, my voice full of fear. Cold air filled my lungs as the sphinx opens her cursed mouth to speak. “Incorrect.” Her voice feels like ice stabbing into my heart. The bushes break open to reveal an exit and a gust of wind blows me back. 

          I awake. I recognize the tree I am rested by as the one that was near the maze. But now there is no maze. I have failed. The pathway forward will sacrifice another day of traveling. I will need to eat. I grab my hunting supplies and look around. There are no deer tracks. There is no sign of any good food. I hear a rustle. A rabbit! I aim my bow and shoot. The arrow hit the rabbit’s flank. The rabbit tries to run but I shoot again, this time hitting its neck. It struggles for a while until it finally dies. I grab my arrows out of the rabbit and put them back in my satchel. I start a fire to cook and eat the rabbit. I pack up my supplies and move onward. The hydra needs me. But am I even strong enough to save him if I can’t even answer a simple riddle?

Part Four

          After what seems like forever, I finally stand up. Even if I can’t save the dragon, I will need to journey back home. I look around. It has stopped raining. The sky is starting to clear. There is no sign of Mars. This is it. I’m finally alone. I never had any friends. I have only really made friends with dragons. Mother used to be my friend. But after Father died, she didn’t really care about anything. She was all I had left and I abandoned her to save the life of a dragon. Ginger was a close friend of mine but Mother had her butchered. Mars was probably the closest thing I had to a friend. But I had to leave him to save that dragon. This stupid dragon is the reason for the loss of my friends. And I want to choose not to save him. But if I did, that would be a disgrace to my friends. The reason I lost them was because of this dragon. So if I give up, I will lose them for nothing. I have to move on. No matter how much I don’t want to. I must move on. 

          I walk forward. I keep walking. This forest seems to go on forever. Until I see a sign in the distance. I run towards it, dodging the trees and boulders. I finally reach it. The sign! It reads “You are now exiting Shamrock woods.” I step onto a dying, windy prairie. A bright light flashes in front of me. A man appears. His face is pale and he wears black robes. The robes seem familiar. They seem like the robes that the witches and wizards wear in all of the stories that the elders in my village tell me. The robes are dark and have yellow constellations on them. “Hello, traveler!” His hand is as pale as his face. “You have traveled far and made it through Shamrock woods! Continue straightforwardly for a prize! For Shamrock is a huge forest and only the brave make it through!” His smile looked honest but something was off with this man. “Who are you?” I ask. “Why, I’m the wizard of the woods! I work together with the other spirits of Shamrock forest to make the place better. My name is Mercury!” His voice and smile seemed honest yet something was still completely wrong about this man. 

          “Forest spirits?” I wondered aloud. “Ah yes! Forest spirits! There are three of us! There’s me, Jupiter, and Mars! I suppose you have never heard of them.” Mars! “I know Mars! He helped me get through the forest!” Mercury’s face lit up in shock and excitement. “Really? Well that’s curious! It’s Jupiter who helps the travelers.” I have never heard of Jupiter before. I think for a second and then it hits me. “There are eight planets! Why are there only three of you?” Mercury smiled again and said “You are thinking well! There are actually nine spirits! Three to guide the forest, three to guide the prairie, and three to guide the beach!” I nodded at the information. “That’s it! Mars said that he met a girl named Amelia! He said that if I saw you then to give you this!” He holds out a small wooden box. I grab it but before I can open it there is a loud beeping sound. “Gotta go now!” Mercury disappears and the beeping stops. 

I walk forward and stop at a small boulder. I sit down beside it. On the box there is a small parchment. It reads “For Amelia.” I open the box and inside is another parchment. I pull it out and unfold it. 

Amelia,

I  saw you in your village and decided you were the one. You were the one to save all dragons. The hydra is real. The hydra represents millions of dragons on the beach, being trapped and tortured. You need to save them. Do you remember the note? The one from a man named Caspian. It was true. It was all true. All except, There is no Caspian. It was me.

-Mars

Inside the box there is a whistle. Tied to it is a note. “Use only in an emergency.” I move onward just through this prairie is the beach. I will save the dragons. I will save them all. 

After running for a while, I run out of breath. I try to slow down but I slip on a rock hidden in the tall grass. Right when I think I’m going to hit the ground, I don’t! I look to see a dragon where I should have landed. I get off of it. “Thank you.” The dragon nods. “I am Pluto, Dragon of the prairie.” It was a female. She is pink and has a yellow belly. She is a Long dragon, like the ones in Chinese folktales. “Why have you entered this sacred land?” her voice was calm. “On the other side of this there is a beach. In that beach there are people who torture dragons. I attempt to save the dragons.” Pluto looked at me with hope and respect. “Use this in an emergency.” she handed me a whistle and disappeared in a poof of dust.

I finally exit the prairie and reach a beach. There are no dragons in sight. I move along the beach until I reach water. There are footsteps, dragon footsteps. I follow the footsteps until I see a group of people far in front of me. I hear the screech of a dragon and see many dragons near the people. “Oh no!” I accidentally say aloud. A few people whipped around and  started charging for me. I grab both whistles and blow them. The whistles disappear and Mars and Pluto appear by my side. This is a battle we will win. 

Part Five

The three approaching men look startled at the fact that Mars and Pluto are beside me but they keep charging. “We’ll all take one!” The middle one decides. I charge for him. I pull out my bow and arrow, dip it in the poison compartment that I had installed as a child and aim steadily, still running towards him. I shoot, hitting him in the head. He falls to the ground, dead. The two other men lay on the ground near Pluto and Mars. I jump on Mars’s back and he flies. Pluto flies near us and we land where the dragon tortures hideout is. 

A splash comes  from the water and a huge, blue, and yellow dragon splashes onto the shore, crushing a few of the men. It is the size of a whale. “Hi! I’m Neptune!” The roar echoes all around the beach. I run to a cage of small dragons. A sharp rock lay beside me and I pick it up, its jagged edges pricking my fingers. I use it to destroy the lock on the cage and set the small dragons free. I run to the next cage. I destroy the lock and let the dragons free. A thump brings me to the ground. I turn and I realize that one of the men from the dragon torturers has pinned me down, his foot pushing hard on my stomach. I wrap my legs around his foot and push hard, shoving him off of me. I stand up.

I hear the crying yelp of a dragon and see that one of the torturers is using the jagged rock to stab it. I slide over and kick the torturer. I grab the rock and gently pick up the baby dragon. It looks up at me and bites at me. I hold on tight to the baby dragon. I set it far from the battle and run back. A sharp pain stabs into my arm as an arrow sinks in. The bristles on the back are purple to show that the arrow is poisoned. Gladly, it wasn’t killing poison like my poison of which I made myself. Pain surged through my entire arm and I yanked the arrow out, letting my arm bleed. Pull out one of my arrows and dip it in the poison. I get a sight of who shot me and shoot him right in the head. The instant poison does the rest for me, leaving him dead on the ground. 

I finally make it back to the battlefield and unlock more cages. All of the men guarding the fortress are either gone or dead. All of the dragons outside of the fortress were also freed. The only people outside are me, Mars, Pluto, and Neptune. Neptune turns himself into a human. And runs to us. “You can turn into a human?!?!” “All dragons can.” We enter the fortress. There are only ten men, each guarding one cage. Each cage has a dragon that is around the size of Mars in them. “Help us!” Almost all the dragon cages call in sorrow. Over and over again. Their wailing begging us. Pluto is the first to jump forward. She pins one down. She opens her mouth and burns the man to a crisp. She growls and stalks until all of the men are cowering in a corner. “Are we going to let this stupid dragon boss us?” One man shouts. The others cheer and grab their spears. “STAY THERE!”  I run to a cage breaking it open. The others do the same. I open the door and let out the dragons, glad that Pluto is distracting the men.

I run up the wooden stairs, Mars following me. I reach the door and slam it open. In the roofless room there is a great hydra. It had more than thirty heads, each crying their despair. He is blue and massive. A thousand strong ropes tie him down. Massive cuts are everywhere along his giant scaly body. Nobody is in the room. I run to the hydra. “You are going to be alright.” I assure him. I use the jagged rock to cut each rope, one by one. The hydra stands up, revealing tons of cuts and scars on his leg. One of his heads came down to face her. 

“Thank you. Thank you for saving all of those dragons. But I am too scarred to leave this place. They would kill me if I walked a step. Thank you for it all. You are a hero, Amelia. Go home. Tell your Mother you are safe. Tell her all that has happened. Tell her all that you can. Tell her to stop. After what you did, she will. Goodbye, Amelia. I wish I got to know you better.” I step back. “What do you mean by that?” He lays down. He closes his eyes. He is gone. “No! NO! You can’t be dead!” he doesn’t hear me. My eyes swell up in tears as I think about earlier. He was not a stupid hydra! He wasn’t the loss of my friends! He was the start of my friends. Mars comes towards me and sets his tail on my shoulder. 

Three Months Later

I awake. Mother is cooking breakfast. I get dressed and walk to the table. Mars is waiting at the table. Pluto and Neptune are in human form, talking about something. I sit next to Mars. “Good morning, Amelia.” “Good morning,” I reply. It has been two months since we moved to Shamrock woods. Mars, Pluto, and Neptune live with us now. Mother is no longer a dragon butcher and lives a much happier life hunting with her family. And best of all, I have 9 new friends. For Mercury, Venus, Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune (The other forest spirits) Are my friends now! Ever since the battle, Mars, Pluto, And Neptune are my best friends. “Breakfast is served!” Mother said, placing five plates on the dining table. We all ate breakfast quickly and ran outside. We flew to the snowy beach. All of the dragon torturers’ stuff was cleaned up and our wounds were healed. I finally have friends! I finally have a family! I finally have a home! Every day, I give my respect to the hydra. I give thanks because he is the reason for my happy ending.

  The End 

Writing Challenge Winner: Misty by Bekah Abbot

Bekah Abbot is a fifteen-year old writer who participated and completed the summer 2024 Hero’s Journey Writing Challenge. Her short story, “Misty”, tells the magical tale of sisters, friends, and mysterious creatures.

Read Bekah’s epic short story below:

Original Artwork by Bekah Abbot
Original Artwork by Bekah Abbot

May stood on the deck of the Waterwing with her sister, sad, but not without hope. She wasn’t crying, but she felt as overcast as the sky overhead. Slowly it darkened, then it started raining. Mrs. Daya who was looking after them, came and shoveled them indoors. The rain quickly turned to a raging storm. May tried to calm her sister, but she didn’t feel calm either. The waters tossed and shook the Waterwing as she rolled along on into the mist.  

“Oh, May, why did father send us on this dreadful watercraft?”  

May couldn’t help but smile at her sister’s romantic speech.  

“He already told you, Misty. He didn’t think he should leave us at home alone.”  

Misty saw the sense in that, and decided that it was a good time to curl up gloomily and bemoan her fate. Secretly Misty had always wanted an adventure, but she didn’t think that drowning in the “briny blue” counted. Wave after wave came crashing down on the deck, but nothing but the moaning of the boards reached them, until the boat jerked suddenly. Water started coming in under the door. Misty and May jumped up in terror as the Waterwing was thrown against a big rock. Misty was knocked out of her senses. May tried to wake her from her delirium, but the sea swelled up for another attack. Darkness took over as the Waterwing was swallowed up into the depths.  

“What’s that down in the sand?” Nathaniel wondered as he rode down to the beach. 

As he got closer, he thought he could distinguish a human figure! He dismounted and ran toward it, to find a girl lying in the sand. Nathaniel panicked. What was he supposed to do? Was she even alive? Yes, she was still breathing, though slowly and painfully. He lifted her onto his horse and brought her to his dad’s clinic. His dad was a doctor, he would know what to do.  

“She’ll be fine,” His dad said after careful scrutiny, “but it’s a good thing you found her when you did, she couldn’t have lasted too long it that condition.”  

Nathaniel was relieved.  

“Who’s this?” Nathaniel’s sister Lilly asked, as she came in the clinic door. 

The situation being explained to her, she insisted on bringing her to their house and taking care of her until she woke. Their dad was pleased by this proposal, and helped to get her home.  

“Where am I?” May opened her eyes to find herself in a strange room. The curtains were open, and through the window May could see the sunrise. The bright sunlight poured into the room and lit it up like magic. Someone knocked on the door softly. 

“Hello? Are you awake yet?” it sounded like a girl’s voice. 

“Yes. Please come in!” 

The door opened, and in came a tall girl with thick brown hair. It seemed to May that she brought joy into the room with her. 

“I’m so glad to see that you’re feeling better! Oh, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Lilly Valor.” 

“It’s nice to meet you Lilly, I’m May Hawthorne. Only… where am I?… and why?” 

Lilly laughed   “Oh, fate brought you here. And by fate, of course, I mean my twin brother Nathaniel.” 

May was too confused for words. “Can you remember anything? Nathaniel said you were unconscious on the beach.” 

“Not very well, and what I do remember I can’t be sure is true.” 

“Well tell me what you can remember.” 

“I was on a boat,” May had to think long and hard about the rest, “It hit a big rock pillar, and people were flung overboard. That’s as much as I can remember.” 

“Do you know the name of the boat?” 

“I can’t remember.” 

They went on like this for a while, but May had lost most of her memories. After a while Nathaniel came up to the door. 

“Oh, hi Nathaniel!” Lilly said. “This is May. May, meet my brother Nathaniel.” 

May smiled through her pain. She really liked Lilly, and she thought that she would like Nathaniel too. Nathaniel was tall like his sister, in fact he looked a lot like her, except that his hair was red and his eyes blue.  

“I trust you’re feeling better?” 

“I guess I wouldn’t know. You can’t really tell how you’re feeling when you’re unconscious.” 

Nathaniel smiled. 

“Well, you do look better. You were in bad shape last night, but as long as you don’t give up your spirit, im sure you’ll be just fine!” 

Later that night, Lilly came into May’s room with a necklace that her younger brother Braden had found down on the beach.  

“Is this your locket?” Lilly asked her. “Braden found it not far from where you came ashore.” 

May took the locket and opened it. The picture inside was ruined. The water had made a big mess of it, but she could just make out herself and another younger girl. 

“Misty?” May whispered under her breath. “This is my sister!” 

“You have a sister?” 

“Yes, and she’s probably scared half to death by now! Lilly, I have to find her!” 

“You’re still too weak to go anywhere on your own. I’m coming with you.” 

“No need for you to go anywhere yet.” They turned to find Nathaniel at the door. “I’ll go talk to the police about it.” 

“Thank you, Nathaniel, but I must look for her.” May said. 

When Nathaniel got back May, Lilly, and Braden were ready to go.  

“The Police will search the city, and on the beaches,” Braden reasoned, “so the only other way to go is into the forest! Besides, what better place to seek adventure than Coalrose Forest? You know some say that the forest is home to all sorts of paranormal creatures!”  

“But we’re not looking for ‘adventure’ Braden, we’re looking for May’s sister.” 

“It’s pretty much the same thing though, right?” 

“Makes sense to me,” May said, “who votes we take Coalrose Forest?” 

The company agreed, and on they strode into the dark woodlands beyond. 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

Misty’s heart pounded in her chest as she stumbled through the dense foliage, the towering trees casting long shadows in the fading light. The island was vast and unfamiliar, each rustle of leaves and distant call of birds reminding her just how alone she was. She paused to catch her breath, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of her sister. 

“May!” she called out, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination. “May, where are you?” 

The only response was the whisper of the wind through the trees. Misty wiped a tear from her cheek, refusing to let despair take hold. She had to find her sister. She had to be brave. 

The path ahead was treacherous, with roots and rocks threatening to trip her at every step. But Misty pressed on, her mind focused on one thing: finding May. She knew her sister would never give up on her, and she wouldn’t give up either. 

Suddenly, she heard a faint sound, almost like a whisper. She stopped, straining to listen. There it was again, a soft, distant cry. Her heart leapt with hope. 

“May!” she shouted, her voice stronger now. “I’m coming!” 

With renewed energy, Misty followed the sound, her steps quickening despite the obstacles. She wouldn’t stop until she found her sister, no matter what.  

“Misty?” She could hear her sister’s voice calling out to her! 

Misty stumbled along, blind with excitement. Could it really be May? She tripped, but got up and kept going.  

Misty’s relief at hearing her sister’s voice was short-lived. As she hurried through the underbrush, she suddenly found herself face-to-face with a creature out of a nightmare. A giant wolf, its fur as dark as midnight and eyes glowing with an eerie intelligence, stood blocking her path. 

“Well, well, what do we have here?” The wolf’s voice rumbled, deep and resonant, sending shivers down Misty’s spine. 

Misty froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She had heard stories of talking animals, but never had she imagined encountering one, especially not in such a dire situation. She took a step back, but the wolf moved forward, its massive paws silent on the forest floor. 

“Who… who are you?” Misty managed to stammer, her voice barely above a whisper. 

The wolf chuckled. “I am Aldebaran the cruel. And you, little one, seem to be lost.” 

Foxes, wolves, and wild cats emerged from the woods around her, slowly coming toward her. 

Before Misty could react, Aldebaran’s powerful jaws closed gently around her, lifting her off the ground. She wanted to scream, to struggle, but something in the wolf’s eyes told her that resistance was futile.  

“Chain her up with the others.” Were Aldebaran’s commands, as he effortlessly tossed her to a fox. The fox pulled and shoved Misty to his slave line, where he tethered her. Desperation was all that was left for the moment. Misty sank down against a tree and cried.  

“Don’t cry,” The boy in front of her held out his hand to help her up. “You’re Misty, right?” 

“How do you know my name?”  

“You look just like your sister, May. We were all looking for you until I got kidnapped. Of course, everyone else is still looking for you. They’ll find us soon though, I’m sure of it!” 

Aldebaran issued orders to his captains. “Onward! The girl’s sister is too close by for us to stop here.” 

The chain was pulled into action. Misty struggled to keep up. The manacles rubbed against Misty’s wrists, and the pain was too much for her. she started crying again.  

“Don’t give up hope, Misty.” Braden said. “You must have hope, and you must have endurance.” 

“Quiet, you rat!” a cat growled at him. “Do you know what happens to prisoner who misbehave?” 

Misty didn’t want to know. She walked on and tried to ignore the pain. Hope and endurance, she thought. She clung to the hope that May would find her, and endurance would be a lot easier with a friend to endure with her.  

“I know I heard Misty’s voice,” May said, “but why can’t we find her?” 

Nathaniel wasn’t listening. He was still in a state of shock from finding that Braden was missing.  

“I hope Braden and Misty are together somewhere.” Lilly said softly.  

“What was it that Braden said? Home to the paranormal?”  

All of them were freaked out now. Who knows what lives in the forest? What if Braden had been kidnapped? What if both of them had been kidnapped? May’s mind raced as she contemplated the situation, but then what was that??? 

“LOOK!” May screamed. She pointed to a huge dog print in the dirt.  

“There was a big dog here not long ago,” Lilly mused, “And it looks like it was dragging something with it.” 

The three of them looked at each other. None of them said anything, but they were thinking the same thoughts. Braden must have been taken by a massive dog. They followed the tracks, shouting to Misty and Braden, but there wasn’t any answer. The tracks were hard to see in some places, and following them was difficult.  

“haven’t we been here already?” Lilly asked. “it feels like we’ve been going in circles.” 

“No, look!” Nathaniel pointed to the path ahead. “The tracks are changing!” 

The wolf prints were lost beneath those of humans and smaller dogs. May crouched down, examining the faint footprints in the soft earth.  

“They must have gone this way,” she said, her voice filled with determination.  

“We need to hurry,” Nathaniel said, glancing around nervously. “The sun’s setting, and we don’t know what else is out here.” 

Lilly adjusted her backpack and pulled out a small flashlight. “Let’s stick together and keep our eyes open. Misty can’t be far.” 

As they pressed on, the forest seemed to close in around them, the sounds of the night growing louder. Every rustle and snap of a twig made their hearts race, but they didn’t waver. They had to find Misty and Braden. 

Suddenly, Lilly stopped, holding up her hand. “Listen,” she said. The others fell silent, straining to hear. There, faint but unmistakable, was the sound of a distant cry. 

“That’s her!” May exclaimed, her eyes wide with hope. “We have to move faster.” 

With renewed urgency, they quickened their pace, following the sound through the dense underbrush. The trail became more difficult to follow, but May’s determination never wavered.  

After what felt like an eternity, they emerged into a small clearing. There, in the center, stood a massive wolf, its eyes glowing in the dim light.  

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

“What did you do with Braden and Misty?” May demanded of Aldebaran.  

“there’s nothing you can do to help them.” He growled. “They aren’t here anymore.” 

“Tell us where you’ve taken them.” Lilly tried. 

“I can’t go any further, so they were passed along to a griffin by the name of Ruby Eyes. She’s as tough as a hydra, and as smart as a sphinx so I wouldn’t even think about following if I were you.” 

“Can’t go any further?” May said under her breath to Lilly and Nathaniel. 

They looked up to see a cloud of smoke swallow the wolf. Their vision went out for a few seconds, and they coughed uncontrollably, but finally the smoke cleared. Aldebaran was gone without a trace. 

“I don’t get it.” May said. “Why did he act like that? Why didn’t he kill us? He even gave us a clue!” 

“I don’t think that he knew he was helping us,” Nathaniel said, “but he helped all the same. We just have to find where he couldn’t go.” 

“But we’re surrounded in trees, he could have gone anywhere!” May said. “There must be something we’re missing.” 

The trio looked around for anything that could help, scouring the clearing and the woods nearby, until Nathaniel found something. 

“Look!” he shouted to May and Lilly.  

“It’s just a log.” Lilly said.  

“No, look,” May said, “see how it has these ancient runes on it? I bet we could fit in it, but the wolf was much too big.” 

“I’m willing to try anything at this point, no matter how foolish it may be.” Nathaniel said. 

Its bark was etched with mysterious symbols, and as they crawled inside, the world around them blurred. Suddenly, they found themselves transformed into tiny mice, whiskers twitching and paws trembling. The new dimension was a place of wonder and danger. May, Lilly and Nathaniel scurried through the grass, their tiny paws sinking into the earth. The hollow log had transported them to a place unlike any they’d ever seen—a world where blades of grass towered like ancient oaks, and petals unfurled into delicate canopies above their heads. 

“We’re mice,” May whispered, her voice a mere squeak. “How is this even possible?” 

Nathaniel’s whiskers twitched as he surveyed their surroundings. “The log,” he said, “it’s a gateway. But why mice?” 

They had no answers, only questions. The forest hummed with secrets—the rustle of leaves, the distant chittering of unseen creatures. Their mission was clear: find Misty and Braden. 

As they ventured deeper, the flora grew stranger. Blades of grass whispered secrets, and dewdrops held reflections of distant constellations. May and Lilly marveled at a spiderweb spun between two towering ferns—it was a silver bridge leading to who knew where. 

“Look!” Nathaniel pointed. “Footprints!” 

Tiny tracks led toward a grove of luminescent mushrooms. May’s heart raced. “They’re here!” she said. “Our siblings!” 

They followed the tracks through the mushrooms, and into a jungle of grass blades. The markings were recent, but they never seemed to end. Just as they thought they would go on forever, the paw prints stopped.  

“What now?” Lilly asked.  

“I’ll tell you what now.” The voice was loud and cold, but they couldn’t see where it came from. “you’re going to have to deal with me now.” An albino ocelot emerged from the grasses, towering over them. She swished her tail mischievously. “I am Falcor Ruby Eyes, feared by all creatures. There is no hope for those who resist me.” 

“Ruby Eyes, as in the terrifying gryphon that the wolf warned us about?” Nathaniel asked. 

“I am a gryphon in your dimension, but we’re in mine now.”  

“But if you’re Ruby Eyes, then you must have Misty and Braden!” Lilly said. 

“My job’s not to learn the prisoners’ names, my job is to get rid of you three.”  

Ruby Eyes thought over her options for how to take care of them.  

“I could eat you, but I wouldn’t want to debase myself by eating a filthy human. . . I could lock you in your own dimension, but where’s the fun in that?” 

May and Lilly were starting to feel sick. Nathaniel held his sister’s paw tightly in his, trying his best to be brave. 

“Maybe I’ll just tie you up and leave you here to starve.” Falcor finally made up her mind.  

She knocked them to the ground with her tail, stunning them. The next thing they knew, they were chained to a big boulder overlooking the sea.  

Misty and Braden meanwhile were headed in a very different direction. They too had gone through the log gate, but Falcor Ruby Eyes faked the paw prints that May, Nathaniel, and Lilly had followed. Ruby Eye’s hoard of ferrets, weasels, and stoats were under strict orders not to let anyone know where they were headed. They rambled through the woods and down into a field.  

“We’re stopping here for the night.” Ruby Eyes announced. “Feed the prisoners and get them some water.” 

The vermin hurried off to do her bidding. Dinner consisted of a few leaves, and a little muddy water. It wasn’t much, but they were glad to get anything at all. Braden and Misty ate their leaves with fortitude, knowing that their siblings were out there looking for them. 

“Braden?” Misty asked quietly, so as not to get in trouble. 

“Yeah?”  

“What if May can’t find us? I know she’ll keep looking for us no matter what, but looking is no help if she doesn’t find us, right?” 

“Don’t worry Misty. She has Nathaniel and Lilly with her. If it makes you feel better, I think I have a good plan to get us out of here.” 

“A plan is still a plan, whether or not it’s a good one.” Misty said. “What are you thinking?” 

“If we can once get out of these manacles, we can go anywhere!” 

“But how can we get out?” 

Braden held up a small dagger he had taken from a stoat. 

“With this!” 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

“What are we going to do?” Lilly moaned. “We’ve been stuck here for hours!” Lilly was starting to cry. 

“Lilly, you’re seventeen. You don’t need to cry.” Nathaniel chided her. 

“You’re not helping, Nathaniel.” May said. “We need to think positively. Without positivity we can’t think straight.” 

“Positivity?” Lilly said. “Let’s see. We’re chained to a rock…” 

“Lilly!” May shouted. 

“I’m sorry, let’s try again. We weren’t eaten by an evil red eyed ocelot-griffin,” 

“That’s better I guess.”  

“STOP! LOOK!” Nathaniel said. “there’s a shrew coming towards us!” 

The little rodent weaved between the surroundings, slowly making it’s way to the rock. It looked like it was limping slightly. When it got to the boulder, it stopped and pulled a few tools out of a bag it carried at its waist. 

“Don’t worry,” He said, “I can get you out of here. Try to hold still.” 

I didn’t take long for the shrew to cut the chains. Lilly stretched her arms and her back, it felt so good to be free again. It was starting to get dark again, and May was tired from, well, everything.  

“Why don’t we go down to my house?” the shrew said. “We can all get some much needed sleep.” 

This sounded like a great idea to May, and Lilly and Nathaniel couldn’t think of anything better. 

“We can’t very well out smart an ocelot-griffin without any sleep.” Lilly said to Nathaniel. 

“Or on an empty stomach.” The shrew said. 

That settled it. The three of them followed the shrew a short way to his house; a small door set in a tree. As they arrived, the shrew’s wife and three daughters came out to meet them. For dinner the shrew’s wife made ‘shrew bread’, which was kind of like dinner rolls, and a soup made from potato, carrot, and mushroom. They only needed a bit of each. They hadn’t slept in a bed of any sort since leaving to find Misty, so that night was the best for all of them. They planned to set out again the next morning, but before they leaft, Mrs. shrew brought them some provisions. 

“I know you three haven’t had much to eat for the last few days,” she said, “so I packed you some food for the road.” 

Mr. shrew came out of the house now. 

“Hold on!” He ran toward them frantically. “I have something here that might help you!” He pulled out a ball of string from his pocket and handed it to Nathaniel. Nathaniel was pretty confused. “it’s a gate.” The shrew said.  

“Like the log we came through to get here?” Lilly asked. The shrew nodded. “But how does it work? It doesn’t have an opening like the log did.”  

“No two gates are the same. With this one you have to loop it around itself to create the opening.” 

Nathaniel accepted the gift gratefully. Now they were off again! They were soon on Ruby’s trail once more, and it was pretty easy going most of the way. After a while, May thought she could see the group of vermin on the horizon. Then she could smell them. As they approached, May noticed that neither Braden, Misty, or Ruby Eyes was there.  

“Let’s stay hidden and watch until they get back.” Lilly said. 

Misty’s tiny heart raced as she and Braden darted through the tangled underbrush, their paws barely making a sound. The moon hung low in the sky, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. Behind them, the menacing figure of Ruby Eyes, the albino ocelot, loomed like a ghost. 

Ruby Eyes had been relentless in her pursuit. Her crimson eyes glowed with malice, and her sleek white fur seemed to blend seamlessly with the moonlight.  

Misty’s whiskers quivered as she glanced back.  They had managed to slip away once, but Ruby Eyes was relentless. Braden and Misty knew they couldn’t outrun her forever. 

“Keep going,” Braden urged, his voice barely audible. “We can’t let her catch us.” 

Misty nodded, her eyes wide with fear. They zigzagged through the forest, leaping over small sticks, and ducking beneath fallen leaves. The scent of damp earth and pine needles filled the air. But no matter how fast they ran, Ruby Eyes was always close behind. 

Suddenly, Misty stumbled, her tiny paw caught in a tangle of roots. Braden skidded to a halt, his eyes wide with panic. He rushed to Misty’s side, trying to help her up in time. Ruby Eyes emerged from the shadows, her fangs gleaming. 

“You thought you could escape me?” Ruby Eyes hissed, her voice like shards of ice. “Foolish humans.” 

Misty’s heart sank. She had hoped they could find safety, perhaps a hidden burrow where Ruby Eyes couldn’t reach them. But now they were trapped. 

The ferrets, weasels, and stoats closed in. Misty and Braden huddled together, their fur bristling. Ruby Eyes circled them, her tail flicking with anticipation. 

“Any last words?” Ruby Eyes taunted. 

But just as she lunged, a rustling sound echoed through the forest. A massive owl swooped down at Falcor; talons extended. 

“Enough, cat.” The owl’s voice boomed. “You know your orders are to bring them to Lord Rigel alive.” 

Ruby Eyes snarled, but the owl’s gaze held her in check.  

“Noserot, Foulclaw, re-chain the mice.” She snapped at a ferret and a stoat. Then she turned to the owl. “Stay out of this, Feather bag. I can handle a couple of ten-year-olds.” 

“Yes, but can you handle Lord Rigel?” They glared at each other for a second. “I didn’t think so.” 

“Let’s get out of here.” Ruby Eyes commanded indignantly.  

Misty and Braden were dragged all the way back to the slave line. By the time they got there they were both bruised and scratched painfully. The line was immediately pulled into action. 

“Look, they’re back!” Nathaniel said. “Let’s follow behind them.”  

Lilly pulled out the leftover shrew bread and some sunflower seeds to snack on.  

“We’ll need to be careful,” May said, “if we get caught, we’ll be a completely lost cause.” 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

Ruby Eyes and her crew of vermin were headed for her lair, an old (and mostly ruined) castle fortress. On arriving, the ocelot issued orders to the ferrets, stoats, and weasels, sending them here and there, wherever she wanted or needed them. None of them noticed May, Nathaniel, and Lilly watching their every move. 

“We need a good, solid plan before we do anything rash.” Nathaniel whispered.  

“We have got to work together.” May said. “This will be really hard even if we can find a weakness.” 

“But we’re mice,” Nathaniel said, “she’s six times taller than we are! Besides, I don’t think ocelot-griffins have any weaknesses.”  

“Don’t be silly, you guys.” Lilly put in. “the answer’s in her name!” 

“Which one? Falcor? Ruby Eyes?” Nathaniel asked. 

“Ruby Eyes! Don’t you see it?” they didn’t. “Why do they call her that? Because she has red eyes. Why does she have red eyes? Because she’s an albino!” 

“And…” May said. 

“An albino animal’s weakness is her eyes!” 

May and Nathaniel looked at her with admiration.  

“What?” Lilly asked. “Didn’t either of you pay attention in your zoology classes?”  

Braden and Misty were scared. Their chains were tied up to a post in what could hardly be called a castle courtyard. The cold was beginning to be unbearable.  

“Braden?” Misty asked. 

“Yeah?” 

“Do you still think that May and your brother and sister are looking for us?” 

“I don’t think, Misty, I know they are.” 

“But do you think they’ll find us?” 

Braden didn’t know what to say. He really wanted to think they would, but he hadn’t seen any of them in such a long time! Maybe they were completely lost! But he couldn’t say that to Misty.  

“I think… everything is going to be okay.” Braden said. “They won’t give up until they find us, and until then, at least we’re together.” 

Misty smiled. She was very glad to have a friend with her. She didn’t think she could have survived this without Braden.  

It was getting dark again. The days and nights in this dimension were off somehow, with some days longer, some shorter, the sun and moon were always discordant. Most of the vermin went inside the castle to get some sleep, but a few were stationed outside and on the walls. One weasel brought the prisoners some old, smelly blankets. ‘Tomorrow, we leave bright and early’ he had said. They were starting to wonder when this would ever end. Still, no one knew where they were going. Misty and Braden had overheard something about a ‘Lord Rigel’, but who that was was a mystery to them. Soon most of the posted guards were asleep, and Braden and Misty were not far behind.  

May, Lilly, and Nathaniel on the other hand were alert, looking for their chance to get back their siblings. The plan was simple, but it would be difficult. They still had the chain that Falcor used to tie them to the rock. That was the best that they had in the way of weapons. Nathaniel looked in a hole in the outer wall. 

“Ruby Eyes is standing right there!” he whispered, stifling a scream. 

“Looks like this will be harder than we thought.” May said. 

“It can still work.” Lilly said. 

With Falcor guarding Misty and Braden herself, May needed to rethink her plan. With Lilly and Nathaniel helping though, it didn’t take long. 

Misty and Braden were roused for their sleep by some movement in a cluster of ferns nearby. Misty started trembling.  

“Braden, what do you think that is?” 

She was getting really nervous. Then a stone came hurling out of the ferns and struck Ruby Eyes on the shoulder. She turned to see who was there. Lilly emerged from the foliage and rushed at Falcor. May and Nathaniel appeared on either side of the wildcat, Nathaniel with the chain, and May with the flashlight. Lilly sent pebbles and gravel flying in Falcor’s face. Ruby knew that they had found her weakness, but she couldn’t keep the blinding light and the gravel out of her eyes. All of a sudden, she couldn’t see a thing. The sharp pain of a heavy chain hurled at her fore paws. She tried to scream to alert the guards, but she had lost her voice entirely. The big ocelot fell unconscious to the ground. May rushed to her sister and hugged her like a bear. Nathaniel and Lilly cried when they saw Braden again. Nathaniel pulled the post that Misty and Braden were chained to out of the ground, freeing them. They still had to be quiet, so as not to wake the surrounding vermin. May and Lilly tied the string in a loop and held it up for Misty and Braden to go through. They knew better than to question it. Then Nathaniel went through, and finally May and Lilly ducked under, letting the gate close behind them. 

They found themselves back on the beach. May was relieved when she looked down to see actual human hands! Now they were back, they could shout, cry, scream, and talk, and joy filled the air as they celebrated being together again!  

A few days later, Mr. Hawthorne arrived on board a ship called Pearl Queen.  

“I heard that Waterwing was blown off course and landed here, so I came to look for you.” 

Somebody twisted the truth’ May thought, but she was glad to see him again.  

“Mom’s feeling better,” he said, “the doctor says she’ll be able to come home soon.” 

May smiled. Mrs. Hawthorne had been in the hospital far away for a long time. When they had sent for Dad, they were afraid something terrible had happened to her. That was why he sent Misty and May to stay at their aunt’s house (where they never arrived).  

May And Misty were going home the next day, which meant they had to say goodbye to the Valors.  

“You will write to us, won’t you?” Lilly asked May. 

“Of course.” She said. “And you’ll come and visit now and then?” 

“Yes, we’ll try.” Lilly answered. “Oh, I almost forgot!” She gave May the locket she had left in her room. 

May opened it. Lilly had put in a new picture of all of them together. May smiled and put it on. 

“I love it.” She said. 

The End

Writing Challenge Winner: Painting the Stars by K. Ann

K. Ann is an eighteen-year old writer who completed the 2024 Hero’s Journey Writing Challenge in which she wrote a 5,000 word original short story.

Author Bio:

As the daughter of a Marine, K.Ann grew up in a world near yet strange, her experiences influencing her writing. Going from writing almost every genre to narrowing it down to one specific niche, she writes young adult contemporary and historical fantasy with hints of dystopian. When she’s not writing, you can find her touring her favorite fantasy worlds and her local libraries.

You can connect with her by signing up to her email list https://kannwriter.myflodesk.com/z8s2ldayio, as well as on Pinterest as @kannwriter and Havok Publishing, where she works on the operations team.

Read K. Ann’s original short story, Painting the Stars, below!

I tighten my hoodie, hunching against the sheets of rain pounding my back. My glasses fog for a second, and the auto cleaner function kicks in, clearing the fog as if it had never been there. Good thing I saved and splurged on them. I can see again.

I stare at the gray sidewalk. There was a time when there was color, when there was more than only shades of gray. A time before the Rift.

Not that I remember it. There’s been no color for decades.

I have no idea why, honestly. Why anything with color is illegal. But that’s the North American sector for you. There’s rumors that the South American sector has color, but that’s just it: a rumor. With the borders surrounded by a border of solid darkness, there’s no getting in or out.

I don’t meet anyone’s eyes. I’m pretty sure thinking such treacherous thoughts is illegal.

And there are people who can get access to mind reading devices—if they pay enough.

I just need to be inconspicuous.

My sneakers splash in a deep puddle, and I groan. Water seeps through, and my socks squelch as I take another step. They’re sopping. If only I wasn’t a broke runaway orphan, maybe I could afford hovershoes. But no, all I can get are regular, pre-historic sneakers.

My feet squish as I trudge up the stairs to my apartment. I place my thumb on the doorknob, and the door illuminates for the briefest of seconds. It opens, and I am met with a sparse, drab room. This building used to be a really nice hotel—at least, it was before the Rift. Now, it is one of thousands of apartments rented cheaply since it has none of the amenities the

rich folk have. Like a stove that cooks for you and seasons the food exactly to your taste if you code it to your DNA. That sort of thing.

I close the door behind me and hurry into my bedroom. All I want to do is collapse on my little cot in the corner of the room. But first, I hurry to my closet, yanking out a dry hoodie. One of those automatic drying machines sure would be nice on days like today.

But alas.

After I pull on the hoodie, I rifle through the back of my closet, glancing behind me, praying nobody can see through the walls with the latest x-ray vision goggles. Shoving aside piles of laundry that I’m saving my decis to wash, I unearth a lockbox.

Historically speaking, it’s a safe. But today, safes are locked and unlocked using DNA, not spin dials. So I call it a lockbox.

It’s so ancient that, if authorities ever knock on my door, they won’t be able to unlock it. Or so I hope. I have no clue what technology official investigators have, anyway. Or if they’d be able to use a software to discover the code.

I unlock it—459—and pull out my most prized possessions.

A set of paint and a sketchpad.

The curtains are drawn, and my door is bolted. I’m safe. Or as safe as you can be when you participate in illegal activities in the North American sector.

I sit on the linoleum floor and open the sketchbook to a new page. I’m never quite sure what I’m going to paint until I start, especially since I have never seen anything with color. It’s amazing, really, that pure paint survived the Rift untainted and lasted so many decades.

I wet my brush and select a dusty rose color. I’ve never seen the color of a rose, but it is the color I imagine they are—a pink that seems slightly darker than a normal pink, which is several shades lighter than this current paint. I brush it along the whole canvas.

I then choose a deep eggplant color—it’s probably lighter than a normal eggplant, but it’s the closest I have to what I imagine an eggplant looks like—and mix it with the pink in large strokes.

I choose color after color, and it doesn’t take long to realize I’ve painted something I’ve never seen before except in gray shades—and in my dreams.

A breathtaking sunset.

***

I scan the bag of chips someone has set in front of me, not meeting their eyes. “12 hectos.” They place their hand on the sensor, using the chip implanted there to make their payment. I place the chips in a bag and hand it to them, never once looking at them.

I’m a cashier at the Econautic Fuel station (which sells economically friendly fuel made from completely water).

I only made about 15 hectos an hour, but working ten-hour days at least pays for my apartment and a few packets of ramen, even leaving me a little extra.

Extra for the White Market.

Another person waits behind the one I just checked out. I scan his items, and he pays in real coin.

“Here’s your four centis change.” I place the coins in his hands. “Have a nice day.” “Thank you…” his voice trails off, and I glance up, wondering what he’s staring at. He’s reading my name badge. “Marita.”

“It’s just Rita.” My eyes drop once more to scrutinize the dusty counter. Why did I just say that? I never say anything to anyone beside social niceties.

“Rita, you want color, don’t you?” His voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper.

I drop the hectos he gave me, and they clatter against the register. “Are you insane?” I hiss, my eyes frantically looking at the security bots that can transcribe lip movements.

He raises an eyebrow and taps his glasses. My jaw drops.

He has a mind reading device.

And I just met his eyes.

He’s going to turn me in for the reward of 312 kilos.

That’s ten years of wages right there.

I swallow a little and take a step back, bumping into the mini fridge behind me that holds grown-up drinks. It clatters, the display on top falling to the ground with a loud crash. I scramble to pick it up, my heart racing as my fists clench involuntarily. I need to get out of here. I have to run. Hide. Perhaps move to a different region entirely.

I might even have find a smuggler willing to help me illegally leave the North American sector.

“Excuse me, mam…”

I look up, and a woman with a child on her hip holds out a couple bags of chips.

I smooth my face so that there are no worry lines showing and straighten. “I’m sorry for the delay.” I scan her items, she scans her hand over the sensor, and then I’m alone.

The man is no longer here. Only one thing is. A note.

It says, Meet me at the northern corner on the east side of the White Market at midnight.

***

I’m not sure what I’m expecting, exactly. On all accounts, it would probably be safer to book it and leave town. So why am I sticking around?

That note. It’s somewhat ominous, almost as if my doom is impending. And yet, here I wait, at the northern corner on the east side of the White Market, a little before midnight. The White Market opens at 1 am and closes at 3 am. And I’m here, skulking about before it opens.

Second, why is a man who knows how I long for color to be back in the world not turning me in for the reward?

Curse my curious mind.

I hunch over, blowing on my numb fingers to warm them up. I tug my hood up over my head and draw my hands into my sleeves, then stick them in my pockets.

The distant ding of the Mountain Region clock rings through the air. It’s midnight.

I peer into the darkness. Midnight in the North American sector is dreary, with no stars to paint the sky. I glance up at the eternal expanse, wishing I could see the Milky Way, the starry system I only read about in science books when I was in school.

I’m about ready to forget it and leave—both the White Market and the Mountain Region, potentially the North American sector altogether.

But something stops me.

A figure, darker than the rest of the darkness, approaches. I hesitantly take a step back, furtively glancing around me in hopes that someone—anyone—might be there. In hopes that someone will witness what is about to happen.

But nothing. The White Market won’t open for another hour.

The figure is fast approaching, and I can make out his face a little. It’s the man from the station, the one who accused me of wanting color then left a creepy note.

My breath comes so fast and so thick that it fogs my glasses, and the auto-cleaner function has to work double-time to clear it.

“Rita.” The man stops right in front of me. I don’t meet his eyes, but I take in his figure. He’s not super imposing—rather short for a man, about my height. His cheeks are speckled with freckles.

He lowers his hood, and I see his hair is a deep shade—not a gray, but not solid black either. And, not to mention, the fact that he is wearing mind-reading glasses—they sort of look like the mythological Harry Potter glasses.

I force a little smile and take a small step backward. I don’t lower my hood, but I do remove my hands from my pockets so I can fight if need be. “Who are you?”

He is quiet a moment. “My name is of little consequence.”

“I should think not. A name is important. It’s who you are as a person.” Then I clap my hand over my mouth. I can’t believe I just said that, especially not in a time where names are not important and your entire being is shoved into the 28 digit number listed in the chip in your hand. You don’t just go shouting out that names are important when, to the leaders of the North American sector, they’re not.

“Be that as it may.” He clears his throat and glances around again. “Time is short. I need to know where your allegiance lies.”

I stifle a gasp. “W-why, to President Volton, of course.” I salute as I say his name—just like any other citizen would.

He raises an eyebrow. “Really, Rita, I’d think you wouldn’t be such a liar.” “I-I…” I swallow down the lump of fear rising in my throat. “I’m no liar.” “Then why will you not meet my eyes?”

Why indeed?

He sighs. “I’ll be straight with you. You know of the Rift, right?”

Obviously. Everyone knows about how President Volton fifty-eight years ago realized how color influenced people’s minds and made them more susceptible to rebellion. And thus, he went on a journey to discover how to separate color from the world because, without color, there would be no rebellion, and thus less death.

I don’t buy that propaganda, but I give a nod. “We all learned it in grade school.”

He shakes his head. “A bunch of lies. Written by a bunch of liars.” He gives me a wry smile. “Like you.”

I jerk my head and death glare him. “Am not.”

“Are to.” He taps his glasses again, and I grow cold. I did it. Again. Let him read my thoughts.

“What do you want from me?” I whisper.

“That, Rita, is something only you can answer. How badly do you want color into the world?” I dare myself to meet his eyes again, and he reads the answer. “Just as I suspected.” His voice drops to a whisper, and he says, “Let me help you, and together, we will bring color back into the world.”

I give an almost imperceptible nod.

He smiles. “You can call me Orion. Like the hunter who crushes the scorpion.” Oh dear. What have I gotten myself into?

***

The plan is simple: infiltrate Obsidian Holdings, retrieve the famous paintings Starry Night and the Mona Lisa. Each member of the Phoenix Squad has been assigned specific paintings to find there.

The problem with the heist? Oh, the usual—Obsidian Holdings is the largest protection facility for art—mostly, they hold paintings. Other places—like Shadow Holdings or Twilight Holdings—protect the books.

Or, should I say, imprison.

I swallow a gulp as I shudder. Cloaked in darkness, this heist is doomed from the start. Even I know that. It’s not well thought out, for one. Because who plans 27 heists to steal 54 artifacts on the same night?

The dumbo ringleader Scorpius, that’s who. We all have code names and hide our identity, covering anything that might give access to our DNA. So, gloves, hair coverings, face obscurers, the works.

I’m called Sun now. Not Rita anymore. Protection of privacy, or so they say. But I don’t trust Orion to not share that if something better comes his way. I don’t trust him.

Come to think of it, I don’t trust anyone anymore, not since my parents were killed when I was three for secretly writing novels and circulating them to the entire sector.

They were dumbos for being rebels. And here I am, a rebel.

I’m a dumbo.

Sun, do you read? It’s a neurotransmitter installed in my inner ear. It reads my direct thoughts and transmits them back to Orion, who then sends it to Scorpius. And so on and so forth.

I really cannot manage my thoughts right now. Even though anyone could have a mind reading device, and I’m allowing myself to remain completely jumbled inside.

I read. I squint at the window below me—I’m standing on the roof of Obsidian Holdings. Or perhaps I should say I’m laying on the roof of Obsidian Holdings because that is what I’m actually doing. I’m watching the night guards doing their circulations and timing how much time is between them while Scorpius does his hacking thing to take down the cameras inside.

Then begin phase 2.

I roll my eyes and carefully raise the window. No alarms go off, so Scorpius must have pulled through. One advantage to having a master hacker during a heist.

Carefully, carefully I lower myself into the building, changing the settings on my borrowed hovershoes so that I change the surrounding gravity gradually.

One thing for sure about this rebel circle: I get nice gear, better than I ever got as a runaway orphan working at an Econautic Fuel Station.

I peer around, pulling my black hood over my head. I’m wearing a face obscurer, so that if I’m caught nobody will recognize me. Hopefully. Hackers are everywhere, and if someone has a mind reading device, all is lost.

I slowly step down the hall, making my way to one of the galleries.

This is the one. Stop here. The first one is hidden in here.

I approach the door and stop. DNA scanner.

I’ve already removed the sensor. Just go in.

I turn the doorknob and enter the room, glancing around me. I hear steps coming my way, and I quickly shut the door as the guards come into view. Hiding behind a large, ornate vase, I hold my breath as someone marches into the room, does a once-over, and leaves.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I step out of my position. I have seven minutes, more or less, to find the painting Scorpius wants and hide before they’re back.

Describe the painting. I scan the room, searching for something in this room. There is little color here, but there is some. And some means some hope. Hope that color can seep back into this room, this region, this sector. Starting with this painting.

There is a dark black tree-like image that is the focal point, but that is not the main part of the painting. Imagine swirls of glorious colors, with a bright gold sun in the shape of a moon.

A bright gold sun in the shape of a moon? What in the North American sector is that supposed to mean? But I don’t directly think those thoughts because I don’t want Orion to hear them and send them to Scorpius. Will I actually see glorious colors and a bright gold sun?

Perhaps. But perhaps not. Just look for something like what I described. Vague. Obscure observations. Sure I can. My eyes scan the room, searching for something. There are a lot of paintings with hints of color seeping from them, but they’re honestly not very pretty paintings. Probably confiscated from inexperienced painters.

Kinda brilliant, though, hiding a brilliant painting with not-brilliant paintings.

I start peaking behind the stands, looking for something. I’m still not really sure what I’m looking for, though.

And then I see it.

Something so vibrant it hurts my eyes.

I thought my paints were bright, but that is incomparable to this.

The swirls seem to engulf each other, dancing across the canvas over the little town and the tall dark structure.

And the sun! The bright gold sun that looks like a moon doesn’t even begin to describe the majesty. It looks like it is reflected in a water-borne sky with a ripple effect, blending seamlessly into the mystical background.

My hand reaches out to touch it. And that’s when I hear it.

“What are you doing here?”

I whirl around, and there is a guard there, holding a laser taser. “Just taking a little peek. I’ll just be going now.” My hands pick up the painting and hold it behind my back as I slowly inch to the side.

Sun, what is the status report?

Shut up! My mind hisses. I’ve been caught, doofus! I told you this plan was doomed from the start.

Sun, what happened?

I ignore the probing questions and continue my side step. “I just got lost. I’d best be leaving.”

The guard approaches. “You’re not going anywhere.” His eyes try to focus on my face, but he can’t see me well—his pupils go in and out of focus as he tries to see my features.

I grip the painting behind me. I can’t lose this breathtaking piece of art.

The guard shoots the laser, and I dodge it, the painting falling from my hands and skidding across the ground. I leap to my feet and whirl around, the laser shooting toward me again.

I arch my back, and it shoots right past me as I leap through the air toward the guard, knocking straight into him.

He’s out like a lightbulb.

“Oh no, oh no, did I kill him?” I gasp, staring open mouth. But then I realize I can’t just stand here; they’re going to find me. I’ve got to get out of here.

Sun, Sun, do you read?

I ignore the probing and start running, scooping up the painting and turning on my hovershoes as I go. Soon I’m half walking, half flying as I dash toward the open window.

And that’s when a laser hits the obscurer on my face. And a security bot flash blinds me. Oh no oh no oh no. I turn the hovershoes on to the highest setting.

I break through the window, gripping the painting tight, as lasers soar past me into the night sky.

I fly off into the night, just as I see a picture of my face and the words “Wanted: Marita

Davis, 312 kilos” form in the sky.

***

“Sun, what the blazes were you thinking?”

Orion is mad—like, blazing mad. I don’t meet his eyes, since I don’t want him to read my traitorous thoughts to both the North American sector as well as the rebellion, but I can see it in the hardened lines of his jaw.

“What the blazes was I thinking? Fulfilling a dumb mission, what do you expect?” I roll my eyes to the painting in my arms. The colors seem to swirl, filling my vision with beauty. “It was doomed from the start—that many heists in one night is a horrible idea.”

Orion rubs his head. “It was all a farse. The missing paintings were a distraction. You could have left them! And instead you got caught, and we got compromised.”

“Sorry.” I fight surprise but feign sarcasm. “Must’ve missed the memo.”

“Duh. Scorpius was using that opportunity to hack into the government’s security banks to find the secret to how they keep color locked up!”

I glance at the painting in my hands. “They haven’t done a good job of it.”

Orion rubs his temples then sits down on a bench, leaning against the muddy gray building. “There’s a reason for that.”

I plant a hand on my hip, then remember the painting and straighten so as to not soil it. “A reason? How could—” Remembering to play it cool, I rephrase what I was saying. “Why would the government not get rid of color if they could?”

“No, no, no, not that sort of reason.” Orion takes the painting from my hands, and I clench my fists, biting my tongue to keep from yelling at him to give it back. I feel sort of… empty without it. He examines it closely and shakes his head. “The key, my dear Rita, is creativity. And you just broadcasted yourself—and the painting—to the entire nation!”

“Sun.” I reach out and touch the painting, feeling a surge of something run through my fingers. “Sorry. And creativity? What is that?”

“Think of your parents, Rita.” His brows furrow at me, his tone calming as he sees me touching the painting. He pulls it slightly away again, and my body grows cold. “Think of the artist of this painting. Think of yourself. What do you all have in common?”

And that’s when I understand—my parents could not be suppressed. Their life work, their creativity could not be stopped. They had to write, like I had to paint. Just like the artist had topaint this starry night.

Creativity. It’s powerful.

I touch the painting again with a renewed spirit. Light pours out of the painting and into me, streaming through my consciousness and into my very soul. The world seems to explode around me, weaving together in streams of majesty I have never seen before except in weak imitations.

Color.

It’s in me, around me, through me.

It doesn’t matter that I’m a wanted criminal.

What does matter is sharing this beauty with the rest of the sector.

I stare at Orion, and he nods at me. “Rita, you have the gift of creativity—don’t let them take it from you. If those few with creativity are silenced, then there is no hope for restoration of the sector.” He stares into my eyes—his brown eyes with flecks of gold in them. “Will you join me?”

“I’ve already done so,” I say, my eyes taking in his entire personage. His dusty brown hair, his eyes that match, his pale freckled skin, his pinkish lips

I think I want to kiss those lips.

I shake my head to clear that strange urge as Orion continues speaking. “Not that rebellion—the inner rebellion, where we share creativity with the world. I don’t care about hacking and stealing and setting fires. I want to restore the sector. Will you join me, Rita?”

I meet his eyes once more, removing my gaze from his lips. “Yes, Orion, I will help you.” His eyes bore into my own. “It’s not Orion. It’s Dustin.”

I smile. That’s the perfect name for him. “What do we do first, Dustin?”

***

Color seems to spring from my every step. Everywhere, there is overwhelming, swirling colors.

And Dustin can see it, too. I know that now. His desire for a rebellion to overwhelm the world, his mind-reading device so he can find those who are sympathizers to the cause and who might have the gift of creativity inside, his joining with a dumb revolution leader so that he can gain access to art that can cause the spark of creativity in someone to burn to an inferno.

And now, it’s my turn.

I can’t get into my apartment because my DNA will entrap me and garner authorities to the scene, but I don’t need my paint to do this.

All I need is a touch. This one singular painting might not be enough, but it will be the spark. The spark to bring color back.

“Scorpius, we need you to hack into the government broadcasting system.” Dustin stands, leaning against the leader’s desk.

Scorpius rolls his eyes. “Not happening. They’ve blocked my signals.”

I narrow my eyes, crossing my arms and staring him down. “Guess you’re not a master hacker, then.”

“Guess not.”

Blazes. Reverse psychology didn’t work.

“For goodness’ sake. Move over.” I push his arm, and when he doesn’t budge from his chair, I grab his computer mouse and start scrolling. I have no clue how to hack, but maybe this will get him to help us.

I start clicking and clacking away, and Scorpius huffs. “You’re ruining my algorithms.” “Your algorithms, huh?” I highlight a section of code and hover my finger over the ‘delete’ button. “You going to help us or am I going to delete this?”

“Fine, I’ll help you. I can scramble the signal and get you access to the broadcasting system.” He grabs my hand and yanks it aside, and Dustin looks about ready to blow when he sees the man touching me. But Scorpius just grabs the mouse and the pad and starts frantically typing and muttering to himself, strings of code pouring forth from his fingers. “Get ready. What are you broadcasting?”

“This.” Dustin holds up the painting. “Make this the entire sky.” Scorpius’s eyebrows raise. “All over the sector?”

“All over the sector.” I narrow my eyes. “Unless I need to destroy your code?”

“Nope, I got this.” Scorpius takes a little scanner camera thing, and a laser light scans the painting and deposits the image as code into the system.

“We need to have our voices hooked up to the system,” I say. “As soon as you start broadcasting the painting.”

Scorpius’s face goes pale. “They’ll be able to track us if we do that.”

Dustin interjects. “Do it.” The determination in his voice strengthens me. I’m a wanted criminal, but this is worth the risk.

Scorpius mutters something intelligible, then starts typing frantically. He pulls a recorder device from a drawer and connects it to the computer. “Start talking. I’m broadcasting. We have less than ten minutes before they can trace the signal and five minutes for them to get here.”

I grab the device and start talking. “Hello, citizens of the North American Sector. My name is Marita Davis, and I’m a lot like you—someone who has something to hide from the government.”

Dustin takes the mic. “I am Dustin Skies. I seek to remedy the problems that the government has infringed on us. Namely, the dystopian world they have perpetrated in locking up creativity.”

I take over. “Look at the sky. Look at the stars painted in the sky. The colors. The vividness of them. Look what we’re missing. Look at the intricacy of it, and consider this: why has the government locked up color?”

“They’ve traced us,” Scorpius hisses, frantically tapping away as his brow sweats.

“So we don’t get the idea to rebel against them!” Dustin exclaims. He is also sweating. “And has that worked? No! They’ve locked up our paintings, our books, our creativity, and to what end? We’re rebelling anyway!”

Clattering noises ring through the building, and I bite my lip. But I can’t freeze now. My voice gains strength as I continue. “Authorities are on the way here to stop us right now. But our voices will not be silenced. Our words will not be stopped. Look at the stars painted in the sky! Let that creativity abound inside you.”

The door crashes open, and someone screams, “Hands in the air or you’re getting tased!” “Don’t let your voices be silenced!” Dustin cries. “Don’t let your creativity be squelched!”

“I’ve lost the signal!” Scorpius yells.

“Silence!”

The room swarms with officials, and I grab Dustin’s hand. He turns to me and wraps his arms around me, his lips pressing hard against mine for a split second before the officials grab our arms and wrench us apart.

“Don’t tell them anything!” Dustin screams. Someone tases him, and he slumps to the floor, unconscious.

I make myself go limp, but I don’t fight. Neither does Scorpius, other than reaching out his finger to his the “delete all” button on his computer. And he gets tased for that.

I touch my lips, and they take us away.

The End.

Writing Challenge Winner: Lifeguard to the Rescue by Bella Johnson

Bella Johnson is a thirteen-year old writer who participated in the Summer 2023 Elemental Writing Challenge in which she wrote a 5,000 word original short story this summer. Bella’s contemporary adventure introduces readers to Scarlett, a girl struggling to care of her ill mother, balance her complex friend groups, and decide what to do about a mysterious magical object offered to her by an even more mysterious sorcerer.

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Original drawing of the main character, Scarlett

We began in an indoor pool with nobody there, the perfect place for 2, 14 year old girls to work. When the new aquatics center opened up nobody wanted to come to the old aquatics center. The girls’ names were Mia and Scarlett. Mia was a tall girl, with brown hair that was dyed blue at the tips. She had on a red swimsuit and Scarlett had a green. Scarlett was a little bit shorter, with red hair dyed with silver tips, she also had green eyes.

“What are you doing tonight Scarlett?”

“Same thing I do every night Mia. I have to look over my mother and watch my sisters. Sorry, I can’t do anything tonight either.”

“Are you going to hang out with me ever, I remember before your mother got sick. We used to hang out all the time. I miss that.”

“We are hanging out right now, wanna race?”

“Nah, remember the last time we raced?”

Scarlett thought about the last time they raced, she just found out that her mother was sick. She also remembered getting stuck in the water and almost drowned, but thanks to the lifeguards they saved her. That’s why she became a lifeguard.

“Yes, I remember.”

“Hey it’s time for me to go home, you got close up again?”

“Yeah, just be careful. I heard your sisters are at it again.”

“Aren’t they always? I will talk to you later bye.”

Scarlett changed out of her swimsuit into her school outfit putting on her most boring jacket. She turned in everything about that day and clock out. On her walk home, Scarlett could not stop thinking about how boring her life is. She can’t hang out with any of her friends unless her father is home or Grandma or Grandpa could come over and help out. When she got home she heard yelling inside the house. She stayed outside for a couple of minutes, before going into the crazy house.

Continue reading “Writing Challenge Winner: Lifeguard to the Rescue by Bella Johnson”

Writing Challenge Winner: Summer by Kayley Roach

Kayley Roach is a 14-year old writer who participated in the Summer 2023 Elemental Writing Challenge in which she wrote a 5,000 word original short story this summer. Kayley’s contemporary romance follows the character, Kay, a high school senior preparing to graduate. Kay’s anxiety about the future manifests into strange mystical sensations amplified by the growing tension with her friend, Skye, who claims that Kay’s boyfriend cannot be trusted.

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11:58am – After School

Sometimes, I wish I was a whole different person. I mean, I never really did ask to be who I am. All I know is that I was magically here one day and I’ve been living my life like this ever since.

I guess I decided not to do what I wanted and stay in bed till noon, but I guess I had to be there, you know. To say goodbye. If it weren’t for my best friend convincing me to come, I’d never have realized why I was being asked to come. 

If only I had stayed home… in my warm bed, writing my stories at home. But no. Instead, I had to go to school, even though it was only for two and a half hours. What was the point? Was the last day of school really that important? All I knew was that I didn’t want to go back… Ever.

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Writing Challenge Winner: Bringleclaw and the Cursed Pearl by Layla Mendoza

Layla Mendoza is a thirteen-year old writer who participated in the Summer 2023 Elemental Writing Challenge in which she wrote a 5,000 word original short story this summer. Layla’s fantasy adventure tells the tale of Bringleclaw, a curmudgeonly villain desperate to return the flourishing kingdom of Betom back to the old ways, and a group of unlikely misfits determined to stop him.

Read the full story below!

 Chapter 1: Bringleclaw  


Far away, in a place that humans have scarcely seen, there was a kingdom called Betom, that had beautiful emerald green hills, sparkling bubbling brooks, tall, multi-colored trees that only you and I can dream of, and most of all: Magic. The magic that lived here dwelled everywhere, not just in the magical beings, but in the land itself, tucked away into the darkest corner, the smallest thorn, even small, unsuspecting insects! 

And you can only imagine how joyous the creatures that lived here were! The elves often held grand feasts and dances. The goblins, as fierce as they might seem, liked to play wondrous music when they were feeling especially happy and even the smallest fairies would go about, joining in any festivities they could. Of course, it wasn’t always like this. In the ancient days, the Goblins liked to cause all sorts of mischief, wreaking havoc in not only their own realm, but as many others as possible. 

But festivities and joyous occasions were the daily life for the citizens of Betom, and it went on for many years – the same things, the same celebrations.  But then one day, everything changed. 

Continue reading “Writing Challenge Winner: Bringleclaw and the Cursed Pearl by Layla Mendoza”