Akari and the Magic Sea Turtle

Chapter 1

I awoke in a mall and looked at my watch, it was 3:00 a.m. I looked around before I got up. There were stores everywhere but no sign of an exit. I saw a cafeteria area, a skateboard shop, a tool supply store, a build-a-bear workshop, a toy store, a candy store, a play area, a camping store, and an indoor zoo area. I saw a mirror and I decided to make sure I didn't have any injuries, my soft brown skin shone in the moonlight. My soft,wavy, black hair was all tangled, and right under my golden eyes were heavy eye bags.I was very skinny, skinnier than I thought I was and it was concerning since I was 16. My eyes dropped down to my black pajamas with moons and stars on it. I quickly went into a clothing store and got an outfit. I put it on and left. I was now wearing some black sweatpants with a black and white shirt, I had tied a purple hoodie around my waist. I had put on black and silver shoes. Now properly clothed, I decided I should start at the zoo as it was the only one open 24/7 due to the need to take care of the animals. I went in and saw a cute gorilla with gray fur that looked like silk. It was sleeping, so I decided to let it rest.

I looked around more and found a sign that read 'Sara the Gorilla.' I whispered to myself, " So that's her name." I walked around more but didn't see anything that would help me. I decided to go to the skateboard shop as it would help me get around quicker. I went in and went with one with blue, purple, and a picture of a rainbow heart on it. I put some of the cash I had found on the counter and continued exploring. I decided to look around on the upper floor. There were a few stores, but nothing out of the ordinary. One door that intrigued me read "keep out" and " danger! stay away", but next to it read "aquarium." I was confused. The last time I checked, there was never an aquarium in any mall I knew. I tried to open the door but to no avail. It wouldn't budge; I went back downstairs and saw there was a basement. Going down there, I saw this beautiful bright blue heart-shaped crystal. The only problem was the strange noises from both sides of the room. There was no light whatsoever, so I went and grabbed my skateboard and did the only thing that made sense to me at the moment. I went and started riding at full speed. I started on the third floor and rode down the stairs to the first.

Then, I sped up, which I didn't think was possible, flew down the stairs, and ended up next to the crystal. It gave off this watery light that surrounded it enough to see what was on the wall. When I read it, I was shocked. It said, "Save Yui, the endangered sea turtle! She is the last of her kind." I started to hear the noises again, but they were louder this time, almost closer. I realized something about my skateboard that I couldn't see before. It had a dent big enough to fit the crystal. I was running out of time and didn't want to see whatever was making that noise. I put the crystal in my skateboard and got out of there. When I put it on my skateboard, I noticed the crystal was making my skateboard faster. I checked my watch, and it read 4:00 a.m. "Had I been here for that long?" I thought out loud.

I decided to check on Sara, I went to her cage, and she was awake. I noticed she had gorgeous amber eyes that looked as though they lit up the room. She was pointing to a key. I grabbed it and decided to see if it would unlock her cage. I was surprised when it worked. I turned to Sara, and she ran up to me; I was scared until she hugged me. Her fur felt like a silk plush; it shined and shimmered in the beautiful moonlight. "Do you want to come with me?" I asked. She nodded. "Okay, but you will have to help me with things," I responded, to which she nodded again as if understanding.

While looking around, Sara spotted a store. She grabbed my hand and dragged me into it. When we went in, we saw flashlights, which would be incredibly helpful. I grabbed one and also some food, paid then we left. We both ate, then we continued our journey. I held the crystal to see if it revealed secret messages, not expecting it to work as I grew desperate. To say I was surprised would be an understatement.