Monet

Chapter One

I ran out the back out door and straight to the forest behind the house. I couldn't take being in that house anymore. The screaming. The mental and emotional abuse. I had to leave. I have finally decided to get out of there and start a life of my own. I don't know where I'm going but I will get there. I don't know what I'm going to do but I will be happy. That is my one goal in life. To be truly happy.

I run through the forest, my light blue, knee length dress getting caught on the tall, wild grass. I nearly lose one of my matching flats while climbing over a fallen tree. I fiercely turn around, looking for somewhere to go. Just as I begin to think that I have made a great mistake, I see a slight shimmer coming from inside of a willow tree. I walk over to the tree, being careful not to fall. I reach the tree and see a small, fisted size hole in the trunk.

I stretch my hand in and wrap my fingers around a small, cold object. I pull my hand out to find a blue-green marble box. I run my thumb over the small, oval shaped, light purple gem in the center. I see the latch on the side and flip it. As I open the lid, a cloud of sparkling purple mist comes pouring out. When I open the lid all the way, a bright light shines, blinding me. I use my hands to shield my face, dropping the box.

When the light disappears, I put my hands down to find myself no longer surrounded by fallen trees and dead flowers. Instead I see sunshine and bright colors everywhere. I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding. As I breathe in I smell the aroma of sweet nectar and fruit. I quickly look around to see a bush a little ways away with little berries.

As I walk towards the I hear little buzzes of the bugs going by. At one point I hear what sounds like a wolf howl off in the distance. At least I believe it was a wolf, I am not quite sure. I do not plan on finding out what it truly is anything time. When I reach the bush I see the berries are purple. I hesitantly stretch my arm out and grab a few. Just as I am about to put on in my mouth a boy jumps out from behind the bush.

"Hey! Don't eat that! Do you wanna be killed?!" He screams at me as he knocks the berries out of my hand.

"Oh.. Um.. I didn't know.." I barely say, starting to blush. I look down to avoid eye contact.

"Hey.. Who are you?" He asked as he slowly walks closer.

"I'm Lyra.. Lyra Monet." I say, looking down.

"Oh well hello Lyra! I'm Elias Quinn!" I says as he grabs my hand and shakes it, laughing all the while. He finally stops to catch his breath.

"Hi Elias." I say. I look up at him and finally see his face. I see his blue-green eyes. His short, brown hair that looks perfect to play with. I see a stupidly attractive smile. I see someone like I've never seen before.

"You're not from here, are you?" Elias asked. I suddenly realize I do not know where 'here' is.

"No.. But where is here exactly?" I asked.

"Thespia, silly!" Elias said, suddenly a lot perkier than before. "C'mon, I'll show you around!" And with that he threw his arm across my shoulders and started walking towards a path. It was dull gray bricks with light purple swirls. As we moved closer I noticed the swirls are moving in little patterns.

As we moved along the path, we came across a split. One path, more narrow and less traveled. It slowly turned into a dark blue with little yellow flowers growing in between the cracks in the bricks. It lead to a forest, there was dark ominous fog coming out of it. The other path was the same width of the one we had been walking on, which was easily big enough for three people to walk next to each other and still be comfortable. It was a light green with nice little pebbles lined on the outside edge. The pebbles went in a pattern of different colored sparkles. It lead to a little village.