The next morning, Elias and Shaun were in town, buying ingredients for their lunch, when suddenly, a thief snatched a woman’s bag. The old woman shouted for help as her belongings were stolen, and Shaun immediately chased after the thief.
"Elias!" Shaun heard his name as Elias followed him through the crowded street until he finally caught up. Elias was alarmed to see Shaun injured, blood running down his forehead.
"Did you get it?" Elias asked, looking at the bag Shaun held up triumphantly.
"Can you stand?" Elias added with concern.
"Yes... ouch, though, that hurts," Shaun replied, wincing.
"Right, so you’re fine, huh?" Elias raised an eyebrow, touching Shaun’s face. "Look at you, bruised and bleeding like this."
“Shh, don't worry, Elias. I’m alright.” Shaun tried to reassure him, though his voice faltered. The woman returned just then, thanking them profusely as Shaun handed her the bag. “No problem, ma’am,” he replied with a gentle smile before the woman departed.
Elias sighed, "Shaun, you always have to play the hero, don't you? Now look at yourself – bruised, bleeding, and a mess."
“Alright, alright. Just help me out here; my body’s sore everywhere,” Shaun said with a slight grin.
Elias sighed, steadying him as they walked. "Look at your glasses; they're filthy. Here, give them to me, I’ll clean them."
Shaun took off his glasses and handed them over. "You know, you look good without them."
"Yeah, right," Elias said, taking the glasses back. "Just be quiet. You’re heavy enough as it is." Shaun smirked but finally stayed quiet as they reached the house.
As they entered, Louis noticed Shaun’s injuries immediately. "What happened to Shaun?" he asked, alarmed.
"Ask your brother," Elias replied, glancing over. "And Louis, could you grab some bandages? I’ll handle cleaning him up."
Elias began tending to Shaun's injuries. "You know, you better not do something like this again," he muttered, applying the ointment gently.
"Ow! Be careful," Shaun complained, flinching.
"That’s your fault," Elias chided. Shaun grasped his hand softly, smiling at him. "Fine, fine, I promise. No more hero stunts," he said, trying to lighten the mood, though he winced in pain.
Elias laughed despite himself, something Shaun hadn’t seen before, and Shaun couldn’t help but smile. “You’re kind of cute when you laugh…”
"Alright, all done," Elias announced, rising. But Shaun caught his hand gently, whispering, "Mind if I kiss your cheek?" He leaned closer, catching Elias off guard, and lightly brushed his lips to Elias’s cheek.
"Ahem!" They suddenly heard Kian clear his throat at the door. "Am I interrupting something?" Kian asked with a knowing smirk.
"How long have you been there?" Shaun demanded, startled.
"Not long, but long enough," Kian grinned, stepping back out.
Just then, Kian heard a strange sound in the distance and decided to follow it into the woods. The further he went, the more the sound drew him along until he found himself deeper in the forest. There, he encountered a stranger.
"Who are you?" Kian asked.
The young man replied, “I'm Aiden. And you?”
“I’m Kian. I heard this strange sound, so I came looking,” Kian explained.
“Well, do you know your way home?” Aiden asked.
"More or less," Kian replied.
“Then let me walk with you,” Aiden offered.
When they reached the edge of the woods, Kian thanked him. “Thank you for walking me back, Aiden.”
"Anytime. Nice meeting you, Kian," Aiden said, giving him a wave as he left.
In the library, Rowan was surrounded by a pile of books. “Louis, could you help me carry these?”
Louis chuckled, taking some of the books from him. “Why are there so many? Are you planning to read all of them?”
“I just… felt like it,” Rowan admitted, laughing shyly.
“Alright, I’ll go grab us some snacks. I’ll stay with you while you read,” Louis said, smiling.
As Rowan began reading about the history of wizards, Louis returned with warm bread and coffee. “Here, have a bite,” he offered.
Rowan took a bite and smiled. “It tastes even better since you brought it to me.” Louis laughed, watching as Rowan continued reading.
“Mind if we just stay here tonight, Louis?” Rowan asked.
“Of course, but only if we sleep side by side,” Louis replied with a grin.
“Alright, just as long as you’re next to me,” Rowan murmured, his focus on the book.
Meanwhile, in another room, Alden lay in bed beside Kent.
"Kent, could you read me a story to help me sleep?" Alden asked with a pleading look.
Kent rolled his eyes but sighed with a smile. "Fine, but just this once."
Kent began, "In the darkness of the forest, a young girl wandered alone, searching for her mother. She encountered strange things along the way, including people who couldn’t see her..."
As he read, Alden gradually fell asleep. Kent noticed and leaned over, kissing Alden’s forehead softly. “Goodnight, Alden,” he whispered.
Back in the library, Rowan noticed that Louis had fallen asleep beside him. “You promised to wait for me to finish reading,” Rowan whispered with a smile, setting the book aside and leaning closer. “Goodnight, Louis.”
Elsewhere in the kitchen, Shaun was lost in thought. "Shaun, why are you still awake?" Elias asked, pouring himself a glass of water.
"Just… thinking about a few things," Shaun admitted, smiling up at him. “Let’s get to bed,” Elias said, reaching out a hand to help him up.
The next morning, a portal opened behind them, signaling their time to leave. Shaun embraced Elias tightly. “Thank you, Elias… for everything,” he whispered, holding back tears.
“Why are you crying, Louis?” Rowan asked, noticing his teary expression.
“Oh, nothing… Just going to miss you,” Louis replied, laughing through his tears.
The siblings said their goodbyes to their newfound friends before stepping into the portal, which closed behind them.
Finally, back home, Kian sighed with relief. “We made it back at last.”
“Why do you all look so glum?” Elias asked.
There was a knock at the door, and their mother called out, “Children, I’m home! Breakfast is ready.”
“Yes, we’ll be right out,” Elias answered, and the siblings joined their father at the table, happy to be together again.
Love knows no bounds, regardless of who we are. If it's real, hold onto it. Even if it seems impossible, make it happen.
The End......
YOU ARE READING
the books of hidden worlds
Fantasy# 1 Ethereal Secrets Series Elias, Kian, Rowan, and Alden are ordinary siblings-or so they believe. One night, as they fall into a deep sleep, a forgotten book in their family's library opens a portal to another world. Without knowing it, they are...
