Ithika: Into The Forest

Chapter 1

As the mid-morning sun cast its warm glow upon the Wright household, the anticipation of departure weighed heavily on the shoulders of 18-year-old Esthony. With each passing minute, time seemed to accelerate, leaving her with a sense of urgency that she couldn't shake. Meanwhile, her mother, Anne, scurried about the kitchen in search of her misplaced keychain, a symbol of the impending journey to camp.

In a whirlwind of activity, Esthony found herself seated at the kitchen table, devouring bowl after bowl of cereal, her hunger fueled by a mix of nerves and excitement. Anne, ever the voice of reason, couldn't help but remind her daughter of the importance of having breakfast before embarking on their journey. Esthony, with a firm grip on her plastic spoon, offered a half-hearted acknowledgement, her focus more on the cereal than her mother's words.

The weight of the impending departure pressed upon Esthony's mind, reminding her of the task she had procrastinated for far too long - finding the elusive channel that would transport her to camp. Her previous attempts had ended in frustration, leaving her resolve weakened and her hopes hanging by a thread. With a sigh of resignation, she acknowledged the need to face this challenge head-on.

From the hallway, Anne's voice carried a sense of urgency as she reminded Esthony of their departure time. The reality of the ticking clock forced Esthony to take a sharp breath, the weight of the impending departure settling upon her shoulders like a heavy burden. With a mix of trepidation and curiosity, she ventured outside, her eyes filled with apprehension as she surveyed the familiar porch.

The small, floral-adorned porch greeted Esthony with its quaint charm. A circular, chocolate-colored table stood proudly in the center, surrounded by four wooden chairs. A heavy, red umbrella provided shade and added a touch of vibrancy to the scene. Esthony's gaze focused on the table, her hopes rising as thoughts of a possible solution danced through her mind.

With bated breath, Esthony reached out, her fingertip gently grazing the edge of the table. Her heart raced as she held her breath, hoping against hope that this would be the breakthrough she desperately needed. But alas, the channel remained closed, leaving her feeling deflated and disheartened.

Time was of the essence, as the channel would only remain open for another hour and a half, providing a narrow window of opportunity for a hopeful participant from the Ithika bloodline to access their chosen channel. For new campers like Esthony, the knowledge of these channels and their location was shrouded in mystery, making it even more challenging to arrive in a timely manner.

With a mixture of determination and a sense of urgency, Esthony knew that time was running out. She would need to gather her wits, summon her courage, and embark on the journey that awaited her, hoping to navigate the intricate web of channels and arrive at camp in time to fulfill her destiny.

As Esthony's gaze continued to roam the yard, her eyes grazed the expanse with a mix of frantic desperation and a deep yearning for solace. It was early June, and the verdant grass shimmered with a vibrant shade of emerald, a stark contrast to the somber hues that had draped the landscape since her father's passing. The grass, like a silent witness to the void he left behind, seemed to grow with a melancholic persistence, a poignant reminder of the life that once thrived within those hallowed grounds.

In the realm of channel navigation, a realm intricately woven with the fabric of her family's history, the channels that emerged in the wake of her great grandfather's time were no longer natural phenomena. Instead, they took on the form of manufactured objects, imbued with personal significance and sentimental value. A hat or a remote control, items that held a special place in one's heart, became the common vessels through which one could traverse the ethereal pathways of destiny.