Hiya~ I've been working on a story for a bit of time now. Decided to post it here for others to enjoy. I'm not looking for criticizm, however. I haven't had the time to revise yet, so it's a bit sloppy. If you don't like it, that's fine and dandy~ Just please don't give me a huge hate letter. I'm trying my best~ I will accept ideas if you have any. Thanks for reading!~
There I stood, a tall and slender figure, 5'11 to be exact. My hair gave a volcanic look, black like soot with magma red streaks mixed in. It streched down to my chin, almost all the ends split and frayed. A shimmer came upon my stunning emerald eyes as the sun beat down. The bright light exagerated my pale skin.
My wrist flicked as I shot a stone forward, the stone touching the lake water and skipping 3 times.
"Skipping stones are we Salem?"
A sweet and friendly voice cooed to me unexpectedly.
"Yeah, you wanna join me?"
I replied back to Luna, the best friend I had ever made. She was caring, and always cheerful. But we were just friends, nothing more. Without another word, she came up beside me. She took a few turns at skipping the stray stones that were strewn across the area. A few unsuccessful attempts led to a perfect skip, 4 times. Luna squealed in delight, her eyes brightening up.
"Good one."
I spoke as I peered over at her, grinning. She blushed my way. I've no clue why, as this was not an embarr*censored*ing moment for her. A couple more skips went by before I grasped my checkered back pack.
"I've got to get home,Bye."
Luna replied to me with a cheerful good bye.
I made my way down the barren streets that adorned the town. Everything was peaceful and quiet as usual. I came upon my home, a white two-story house, a brand new one. It had just been built a year or so ago. Though it was new, it had it's creaks and flaws. The front door being one of them. Every time someone entered it let out a loud and annoying squeak. I approached the front door, aware of the noise I was sure it would emit. I slowly put my hand on the knob, turning it and opening the door. An obnoxious screech flooded my ears, forcing a shudder down my spine. My mom chimed in at the noise.
"Hi dear, how was your day?"
My mom had a caring and sweet personality, sometimes to the point of being a nuisance.
"It was fine, mom. Thanks for asking."
I stepped up the carpeted stairs, friction gathering in my shoes. This friction was released when I reached for my doorknob and got a sudden surprise. I entered my bedroom, the first thing I noticed was the bright blue paint that covered my walls. I didn't choose this, it was all my mom's decision. The digital clock on my night stand read 7:32 pm. I tossed my back pack aside, having a seat on my twin sized bed. I leaned back on a cushiony pillow that was nearby. A familiar voice soon echoed up the stairs, my mother's voice.
"Supper time!"
I got up and climbed down the stairs, having a seat at the dinner table. My mom brought a ham out of the oven. She paired it with peas and mashed potatoes, then we dug in. It was just me and my mom. I never knew what happened to my father, nor will I ask. Some things are better left unsaid.
After dining on one of my mother's average dinners, I thanked her and made my way up the stairs and to the bedroom. I layed in my bed and watched TV for a decent amount of time. The clock now showed a display of bright green letters reading 10:17 pm. I clicked the light off and settled back in my comfy spot of the bed. Then I pushed a button on the remote, setting the sleep timer so it'd go off 45 minutes later.
I dozed off, into a deep slumber. I slept hard, awaking in the morning around 8:00. It was a Saturday, my favorite day of the week. I almost tripped down the stairs, that would have been a horrid fall. Pacing into the kitchen, I fixed myself a bowl of cereal. The milk had made the sugary sweet flakes soggy before I had a chance to take even one bite. Nevertheless, I ate every last bit of it. That's how I was, not wasteful that's for sure. I cleaned up my mess and placed my bowl and spoon in the sink, running a stream of water in it.
The day went by like nothing, and before I knew it, I was back in bed. Sleep timer all set, I fell fast asleep. When I woke up early that rainy Sunday morning, I knew I had dreamt the night before. I could not remember even the slightest detail, but I knew it was a bad dream. A dark and creepy nightmare. As usual, I set a course down the stairs. The Sunday paper sat on the table, heavy and thick. My eyes shifted slightly towards it. I was normally not a fan of the news, but this time there was something different about it. Something eerie. A face I had known was sketched into the paper on a side column. I scanned through, my pupils shrinking as I read on:
'Young girl missing. Luna Kole, A 15 year old female local resident has recently gone missing. Her parents say she vanished after she left the house to go on a walk. Investigators say they will soon start a thorough search of the county. We all prey she will be found soon.'
A stroke of severe depression hit me then. She was my only real, true friend. The only thing holding me from an emotional breakdown was the fact that she had only just gone missing. There was still a great chance that she would be found. I kept a bright and hopeful smile on my face, one that landed me nowhere. I read the news everyday from that point on, awaiting the day she would be found.
A whole month had come and gone by and still no response. My optimistic hopes had been replaced by pessimistic doubts. At this point, I was sure she was gone forever, good as dead. My doubtful mind led to many troubles. I stayed secluded away in my bedroom most of the time. I couldn't stand the thought of loosing a friend, the best friend I'd ever have. No one could replace her, and I knew it for a fact. She had put the sunshine in my life. She gave me a reason to get up in the morning, a reason to live on this Earth. Without her cheerful and caring ways life to me was pointless.
I nabbed my thin jacket off it's hanger, wrapping it around my shoulders securely.
"I'm gonna go outside for awhile mom."
I didn't even wait for a response. I just stomped out the front door, ignoring the annoying creak it let out. I wandered through the park, and into the woods, I took a peek in the nearby neighborhood. An old and deserted town had caught my eye and beckoned me closer. There were no signs of life at all there. Not a sound, not a glimpse, nothing. Even the trees were dead and decaying. There was something strange there, to say the least. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I could feel it's dark aura surrounding me completely, drowning me in a gray dreariness.
I ventured to the center of the town, seeing a spiraling vortex whirled around like a tornado. It had a strong barrier of wind surrounding it. I made an extremely rash decision then. I moved in too close, I had underestimated it's true power. I feel victim to the gloomy portal as it sucked and pulled me closer and closer, inch by inch. I made an attempt to go against the current, and it was a futile one. I went nearly limp and surrendered to the strong pull of the deep tunnel. It sucked me up like a noodle, shoving me off into lands unknown.
I awoke in a peculiar place and instantly a voice flowed through my ears. I couldn't hear clearly, I was still groggy. After waking up all the way, I slowly began to recognize the words that were spoken.
"So you're the next one to enter our land through this gateway."
The voice had a strong ring to it.
"Sad enough, you coming through seems to have broken it, tsk tsk. I know Rasku wont be a happy camper."
I had many questions for this fellow. First, however, I wanted to know who I was talking to. I rolled over and took a gander at the figure before me. It was definitely a female. She stood straight, but not tall. Her whole body was tiny and gaunt. Her skin was a deep and pure black. The luminous hair that covered her head was short and ruffled. It glowed a bright green. She was not human, not by far. I decided to communicate with her, as I *censored*umed she could be a huge help.
"Who are you, and what is a gateway?"
She returned my question, first with a stare, then with a reply.
"A gateway is a sort of door to other worlds and universes. As for me, my name is Zara."
Her eyes shone a yellow glare at my pupils.
"Also, who is Rasku?"
The words rolled off my tongue smoothly.
"Rasku is a cruel and heartless man, his hobby is traveling to the distant universes. Yours being one of them. He had finally perfected the gateway that would never fade. You see, the average gateway only remains open for a short portion of time. He wont be visiting other universes any time soon, seeing as you busted his everlasting gateway. It wasn't as sturdy as he thought, I guess. It took him years to create it, many, many failed attempts came before he got it all to work out right. He gloated and bragged about his success, and thanks to you it's all gone. I thank you sincerely, I absolutely hate that wretched guy."
I looked at her, shocked.
"What do I do now, how do I get back home?"
I hoped for a way to leave this rather creepy land.
"Ah, you are in luck. A portal has just opened, not even an hour ago. I'll escort you there, but we must arrive soon for it will close in about thirty minutes. They don't stay open long."
It was my lucky day, for sure.
"Escort me, please. I appreciate your aid."
She turned towards a lush forest. It was not the kind of forest you see everyday, no. It appeared to be something out of a nightmare. The trees were gray, without an ounce of color, not even on the leaves.
"This way, this is the path to it."
Together we proceeded onward. We entered the forest and I took a curious peek around. A bat flew over us only way larger than the average bat. It looked more ferocious too. It seemed like hours had p*censored*ed before Zara halted at a clearing and faced a vortex that looked much like the one I had entered through. This one had much less power though.
"Here's your stop. Ashamed the other one couldn't make it out too. Poor girl, she seemed so afraid."
I froze at that comment. I could see the gateway shrinking at a snail-like pace.
"What was that? Describe this girl, please."
I had a faint idea of who this could be in my mind.
"Oh, well she had dirty blonde hair that went down a bit further than her shoulders. I believe she had blue eyes but I could be wrong. It's been about 30 days since she entered so I don't remember everything. Anyways, you should be off now, the gateway is beginning to fade."
All the clues had fit together like a puzzle.
"No, I'm not going yet. I have business to attend to."
A confident smirk left my face. A journey was ahead of me, I could feel it.
"What? Just a few moments ago, you were deparate to return home."
I could tell Zara was surprised by the look in her gigantic yellow eyes.
"That was before you mentioned that you met that girl. You see, I happen to know her. She is a long lost friend, I guess you could say."
Zara gave me an awkward grin.
"Oh, are you two in...love?"
She puckered out her lips in a teasing motion.
"No, no, it's nothing like that. We are friends, only friends."
Zara's face calmed down a bit.
"You mind a tag-along? I love a good adventure."
This was a marvelous opportunity for me. She had already been so much help.
"I'd be glad if you came along. I need all the help I can get."
I still was chocked full of questions that needed answers. I didn't rush into them though. Patience was important.
"Great, I sent her out west. The whole terrain changes out that way. You'll be surprised."
I had one important question, one that mattered a bunch.
"How exactly do I open a portal to my universe?"
Zara's ex
pression turned worried at that question.
"It's not easy. First, you have to collect two very rare roses. They both grow selectively in two separate areas. The blood roses, known for their harsh red color and brutal thorns grow in a small patch in this half of the land. The soul roses, know for their calm and entrancing deep blue color and their glowing petals grow in the other half. Even if you can manage to collect the roses, the only way a portal can successfully open is if a gateway guardian dies. Their guardian crest will react to the roses and a gateway will form. It is very complicated. It was supposedly made this way to prevent excessive travel between universes."
Zara pulled her raggedy sleeve up, revealing a stunning orange symbol on her wrist that resembled a spiral only more complicated.
"This is a guardian crest. I happen to be a gateway guardian. There are quite a few of us scattered around."
I looked at the crest on her wrist amazed. Things here were so confusing here. I glanced over, the gateway from before had completely vanished.
"It's getting late. Maybe we should get a good night's sleep before we go."
Zara spoke, peering at the sky.
"That sounds nice, I am tired after all. Where do we sleep?"
I questioned Zara, hoping she had a decent answer.
"I have my regular shelter with me. I travel alot so I need portable shelter."
Zara pulled out a sphere of some sort. It had the appearance of a marble. She thrusted it at the ground. I was speechless when a cloth tent appeared out of the dust that the tiny ball had stirred. She tossed a second sphere and spawned another tent.
"I'll take this one and you can have the other."
Zara mumbled as she took her pick. I crawled into my tent and it was suprisingly cozy.
I awoke the next rainy morning to the sound of Zara, shouting outside my tent.
"Wake up you sleepy-head!"
Zara shreiked rudely.
"Ugh, do you have to wake me up already?"
Of course my words were useless with Zara's personality.
"We have to get an early start, you simply can't sleep all day."
Zara replied.
"Urr, fine."
As much as I wanted to get a bit more rest, I began to make my way out of the tent, I crawled slow like a caterpillar. When I finished pulling myself out of the tent, Zara took out the original spheres they were contained in. Like a vacuum cleaner, the spheres were sucked back in all at once.
"Pretty handy, no?"
Zara asked me with a crooked smirk.
"Yeah, I suppose they are. Where to next, Zara?"
I released a yawn as I spoke.
"Maybe we should go get your girlfriend first."
Zara giggled, her smirk growing more slanted.
"If you mean Luna, I told you already, we're nothing more than friends."
I crossed my arms and turned swiftly away from Zara.
"Humph, whatever you say. I sent her out west, to the placid half of this world."
Zara pointed to a small and cluttered trail to the west.
"Ah, let's go then."
The rain drops had progressively increased in numbers, crashing and colliding against the tree tops that were clustered around the clearing Zara and I stood in. We then started off on the path, the dense shroud of leaves over head acting as an umbrella.
We were not far down the path when the shrubbery beside us began to rattle and shake.
"Woah, what's going-!?"
I was cut off when an interesting creature burst out of hiding and Zara slapped her hand across my mouth.
"Mmm...mmm.."
My words were muffled horribly thanks to the hand Zara held firmly against my lips.
"Shh, he wont be able to find us if he doesn't hear us."
Zara whispered directly in my ear. My gaze was focused on the creature that had come out before us. It looked well fed, plump like a pig. It's head was about four feet high off the ground. Though it had a large belly, it's spine protruded out from it's back. Strangely, it's eyes were clenched shut as if they didn't exist. It's skin had very little fur and a leather like texture. The skin color was suprising, a serene blue. It had a long and boney tail that wavered side to side. It sniffed around, sitting and using it's back leg to scratch it's ear. In a split second, it's bulky head shifted in our direction. I witnessed as it's nostrils flared up, steam pouring out of them. It pounded it's foot, which resembled a hoof, against the ground. At that moment, it charged our way. The creature went towards Zara, picking up speed with every step.
"Zara, watch out!"
I warned, worry striking my face. Zara hopped up several feet into the air as the creature neared her. She had a powerful jump for such a small being. She bounced off it's head, grasping it's ears tightly. She then pulled back on the floppy ears, the creature coming to a halt.
"Good boy."
Zara pet his head and his tail came to a rapid wag. She leapt off the creature, grinning proudly as he pranced away cheerfully.
"Mind telling me what that was?"
I asked Zara.
"Oh, him. He's a creature made when some fools bred the soul rose guardians with the blood rose guardians. Big mistake, and when they realized that thier experiment was a failure they released all of them into the wilderness as if they never existed. The cross breeding even caused blindness in every creature born. They have the harsh nature of the blood rose guardians, yet the sweetness of the soul rose guardians as well. Poor little guy."
Zara answered, taking another few steps down the trail ahead. I followed behind her, watching her set of tiny legs work hard.
"Heh, ya want some help there?"
I spoke when I noticed she was becoming tired and panting.
"Would I ever!"
Zara replied, and I regretted asking because she then took another one of her amazing leaps, landing on my shoulders.
"That's not what I meant!"
I sighed, at least she wasn't heavy.
"Well how else are you gonna help me, eh? Now go faster!"
Zara was obviously full of energy like a young child.
"Fine, I'd like to get there quicker anyway."
I spoke before bolting down the path. Zara was nearly jerked off, she giggled and clung to my shoulders tightly. About thirty feet ahead I could see bright sunlight shining through the leaves.
"That is where the land splits."
Zara lifted one arm and pointed. I slowed down when I reached the other half of the land, observing my new surroundings. Everything was different there, more beautiful. To make things even better, the forest ended revealing a lush meadow full of colorful and extravagent flowers. A violet and yellow bird sang a soothing tune as it fluttered above. If Paradise existed I had just discovered it. A small town was nestled on the horizon, which showed a mystical sunset I should add.
"If Luna's anywhere around here, she's in town"
Zara stated, breaking the silence that had set in.
"Then that's where we shall go, no?"
I replied.
"Sounds like a plan."
Zara sounded as she leapt off my shoulders started off towards the town ahead.
"Hey, wait up!"
I called to Zara, who was already quite far ahead.
"You're gonna have to catch me, if you can that is!"
Zara spoke, her legs beggining to accelerate rapidly. I should have expected something as such. I decided to join in her little game, racing after her. Her miniscule steps were no match for my much larger stride and I caught up to her without too much difficulty. Of course she countered when I hooked my arm towards her waist, again leaping a great distance and foiling my attempt to catch her.
"It's gonna take more than that to get me!"
Zara mocked, darting off for only a few moments before freezing instantly. I took a gander at the countless buildings that towered all around us. We had made it to town, though it seemed more like a city in my deep green eyes.
"This is it, feast your eyes upon what is Soaville!"
Zara exclaimed, gesturing to all the structures clustered about. It was amazing, skyscrapers climbed to the skies and the roads were filled with vehicles, ones I'd never seen before. They lacked windsheilds, no roofs at all. They rode low to the ground, flat almost. The tip of the vehicles forked in with the appearence of a snake's tongue. In all this travel the day had flown by, the sun now hiding beyond the horizon. The town had by this time been aglow due to neon signs and car headlights.
"I know of a place we can stay the night at. We can take a cab to the Vita Yan, an eight star hotel."
Zara spoke, her voice making it obvious she was all tired out.
"Did you say eight star? They only go up to five where I come from."
I stated.
"They go up to eight stars here. But let's cut the chatter already, there's a cab coming now."
Zara exclaimed. She waved her arm as the maroon vehicle approached. I couldn't help but chuckle when the driver overlooked her, probably because of her height.
"Hey, what are you laughing at?! I doubt you could do a better job."
Zara sparked. I took it as a challenge. Several minutes later, a second cab neared. I ventured up to the roadway, waving my arm up high. The driver pulled over, Zara's face red with rage.
"Beginner's luck."
She remarked as I opened the door and held it for her. When Zara was seated, I climbed in. Like all the vehicles in this town, this one had no roof. The driver turned his head, grinning back at Zara and I.
"Where to?"
He asked, pulling onto the main road.
Zara informed him of our destination, and he began to take his course. I have to admit, it was pretty neat to ride without the roof overhead. The ride was silent the rest of the trip.
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