Eyes and Emeralds

The key

A/n: ok, so the plot is based off of a creative writing assignment i did a year ago. I really like the concept, so I'm turning it into an actual story. Most of the characters are based off my old dnd characters for some reason. Enjoy :)

I stared at the paper blankly. I had been working on my math homework for almost an hour and had next to nothing done. Academics had never been my strong suit, and I couldn't focus with the consistent sound of dripping coming from somewhere in my room. I figured it's another leak in the ceiling. After a big storm last week, we had been getting a lot of leaking in the upstairs rooms. but I couldn’t find where it's coming from.

I searched every corner of my room and the entire hallway, but I didn't find any leak. It must be coming from the attic. I hate the attic. There's something off about it. It creeps me out. I avoid going up there as much as I can, but I can't stand one more second of this monotone dripping sound. "Mom, there's another leak in the attic." There was no reply. "Mom!" Still no reply. Dammit, I forgot she had to work late today. I put on my headphones and played music to try and block out the noise. But the dripping seemed to get louder and louder. I can't stand this a second longer! Fine, I'll go up to the damn attic. Reluctantly, I walked toward the tall wooden ladder and stared up at the dark void that was my attic. Not many things scare me, but there's something different about it. I suddenly feel very cold. "Quit being such a baby Ez," i tell myself. "It's just a freaking attic." Slowly, I crawl up the creaky ladder and into the dark loft.

I flicked on the light, casting dull shadows over the room. The attic was larger than I remembered. I looked around, still a bit frightened. The room is filled with books neatly organized on tall wooden shelves and boxes filled with junk my mom refuses to throw away. There isn't a thing out of place. Every book and old board game in its proper place. Except for one small box on the floor in the middle of the room.

Huh, that's strange. I picked up the unfamiliar box and read the faded letters on the cover. "DnD; Eyes and Emeralds." I knew my mom used to play dnd when she was a teenager, but she told me she sold all her old campaign sets. Why is this here?

I carefully open the box to find seven small, hand-carved figures. Next to the figures was a thick book with a keyhole in its leather cover. No title, just a rusty, bronze keyhole. I haven't played dnd before, but i could tell there was something off about this campaign set. I tried to open the book, but I couldn't. It was locked. I need to know what's in that book, I need to find the key.

I tore the attic apart looking for it. I dumped out the contents of every box, tore every book off the shelves. But after at least a half hour of searching, sorting through broken cameras and creepy antique dolls, I still couldn't find it. The whole attic was now a mess, loose papers and old yearbooks were scattered across the wooden floor. It's not here, there's no way. But I just had to know what was in the book. I leaned my back against the cool glass of the window, feeling defeated. Where is that key? Why do I want it so bad? But then, I felt a small bulge under the window sill. It felt cold, like metal. I ripped it off, and there it was. The key. Finally! It was a beautiful key, shiny with small engravings of letters I couldn't make out.

I walked back over to the box and carefully lifted the book out of the beaten up cardboard. I slowly turned the key into the inlet, and I immediately felt an intense wave of dizziness. I barely got a look at the first page before I blacked out.

A/n: thoughts on this chapter? I'll probably update again in a few days.