Chapter 1
It was a cold yet sunny October morning, like no other. Nothing at all seemed out of the ordinary. At least, not at the time. The walk to school was surprisingly peaceful and quiet. No angry pigeons or middle schoolers messing around playing tag.
Aurelia and Ara savored the opportunity with a slow walk to school. Leaves blew in the wind, out of the tree and slowly to the ground. Birds sang morning songs on tree branches, and the sky was blue. Not even a cloud in the sky.
“It’s such a nice day today,” Aurelia said to Ara. “Everything is so quiet, peaceful, and...”
“Perfect,” Ara said. “It’s perfect.” Ara took a long sigh. Aurelia knew that Ara was obsessed with perfect sceneries and fairytales. Aurelia envied her for that. It was hard for her to focus on the good things in the world. All Aurelia wanted was a long and safe life.
When they got to school they headed directly to class, their slow walk didn’t leave them with much extra time.
“We should take the shortcut,” Ara said. “The side door is much closer to math.” Ara began to walk.
“Wait,” Aurelia ordered. “I doubt we’re actually allowed to do that. We might get in trouble for using a teacher only entrance...”
Ara rolled her eyes. “Lia, don’t worry too much. I’ve used that entrance so many times! It’s not only a shortcut, it’s also thrilling.” She smirked. It was Aurelia’s turn to roll her eyes now. She was about to say something to Ara but she had already left.
“Gosh,” Aurelia said. “I feel like a mother.” Aurelia ran after Ara, hoping they wouldn’t get in trouble.
Aurelia stopped. “Why are you just standing there?” Ara made no attempt to answer Aurelia. Aurelia sighed. “Whatever it is, it’s going to make us late for class. She pulled on Ara’s sweater sleeve, making a motion telling her it was time to go. Ara pulled her sleeve free.
“It’s glowing,” Ara said. “What is it?”
“How am I supposed to know?” Aurelia asked. “But it doesn’t matter. We need to get a good grade on the test today!” Aurelia attempted to tug on Ara’s sleeve again but only grasped thin air.
“Ara, where did you go?” Aurelia looked around in panic. She turned around and saw the green and glowing object. It made a soft whirring sound, as if it was begging for her to touch it. Aurelia began to walk away, not wanting to be late. “Of course that’s what happened. She touched it and...”
“Disappeared!” A voice finished. A familiar voice. Aurelia looked around. “Over here!” The voice said again.
Almost immediately Aurelia figured out who it was. “Ara!” Aurelia exclaimed. Without thinking, Aurelia touched the glowing object, finding herself with Ara in a completely new environment.
Aurelia looked around. It was nothing like she’d seen before. The area around them was full of trees, but not normal trees. The trees bore a pink looking fruit and had pink petals as well. They were majestic and tall, as if they reached higher than the sky. There were small water springs everywhere, and unfamiliar animals would roam about, drinking the water from the springs, or climbing trees. Aurelia saw a deer-cat hybrid pass them and wondered if her mind was working alright. She turned to look at Ara who was absolutely stunned by the view.
“No surprise,” she thought. “Wait a second...” Aurelia jolted back to reality.
“Ara, we have to get out of here! We’re lost in some sort of fairytale forest!” Aurelia panicked. “The math test! We’re going to miss it!” She attempted to jump back in the real world by touching the glowing object. The object pushed her back, as if it was a force field.
“What’s the rush, Lia? Why can’t we just look around a little more. It’s so nice here!” Ara looked around dreamily.
“Ara, I don’t care! Don’t you want to get a good score on the math test? It’ll pave our entire life’s path!” She started walking in circles. “And now we’re stuck here.”
“You know what, you actually have a point...” Ara said. “How about we look around to see if there’s anyone that can help us.”
Aurelia agreed enthusiastically. It was a start, since it was obvious you couldn’t go back the way you came. The trees were dancing in the breeze, the birds singing in the pinkish-blue sky. Even Aurelia took some time to admire the natural beauties of this forest.
The two girls kept walking through the forest. Aurelia could almost smell the breeze and the lovely sceneries. Ara, I have to admit you’re right. It is really nice here...” Aurelia gasped, as they entered the next part of the forest. As soon as they had, both girls were shocked by the change in scenery.
“Never mind, I spoke too soon,” Aurelia said. “We need to get out of here.”
“This is crazy,” Aurelia said. “How can a forest be so nice at one part and so drastically change in the next step?” The forest had changed from pastels and cute-looking animals to a darker part with animals that looked so violent they would rip your teeth out just for the fun of it.
Aurelia noted that a wolf with red eyes had just ate an entire tree and growled at another. “oooookay...” Aurelia said, looking at the wolf concernedly. The wolf snapped at Aurelia, who jumped back quickly.
