What Lies Beyond

A Very Short Prolauge

Many light years away from Earth, there is a galaxy, where reality, and what people call fantasy, are combined. They live their lives either fearing the beasts that roam their galaxy, or living with those beasts. They range from unicorns to dragons, from immortal to mortal. Anything anyone from Earth could dream up and more, live in the galaxy of Aaragon.

Sophie was staring out the window of their small house, wondering what lay beyond the little she knew of anything. She knew nothing of anything beyond the walls of her family's home, as her family never let her step one foot outside the door. Only her snobby older sister and her mom were allowed to leave. Bella always said it was because she and her mom were older, but Sophie believed it was something more. She opened the window with difficulty, and stuck her hand out, feeling the cool night air on her hand, including some air rushing in through the window. There was a slight breeze, and her brown hair was fluttering from the breeze.

"SOPHIE!!!!" Came the angry yell of Bella, her older sister. "DID YOU OPEN THE WINDOW AGAIN???" Bella sounded more moody then usual. Best to stay away from her, reasoned Sophie.

"... No?" Responded Sophie. "CLOSE IT!!" Yelled back Bella. "Ok, ok!" Sophie said irritability, slamming the window shut.

Ok, that's it! Either they tell me why I'm not allowed to leave, or I leave THEM! Sophie thought. Serious, yes, she knew, but she just wouldn't stand for more "We'll tell you when you're older," or, "Because WE'RE older!"

She walked briskly into her mom's room, and asked a question she had not asked in years, "Mom, WHAT is it that makes you think I can't leave the house?" I'm old enough to! Bella was able to come and go her whole life!

"Sophie! I thought we dropped the subject years ago!" Her mother exclaimed. "And my answer THIS time is the same as LAST time! You will know WHEN YOU'RE OLDER!" Her mom's voice was raising as she spoke. Sophie heard her mom sigh softly. "I'm sorry." Her mom's voice softened when she said she was sorry.

"JUST BECAUSE I'M SEVEN DOESN'T MEAN THAT I CAN'T LEAVE OUR HOUSE!!" Sophie yelled louder then her mothers had ever heard. A silence followed Sophie's yell. Taking that as her que to leave, she walked quickly out, making up her mind, then and there. She was leaving once and for all.

"SOPHIE!!!! BED!!!" Bella shouted. Sophie went quietly withought complaint, passing Bella with a huge yawn. She lay in bed, wide awake, staring at the ceiling of her bedroom for what felt like hours. She heard no more sounds, and crept out of bed, and listened some more. Nothing. With great speed, she grabbed a small bag with a few items of clothing in it, and darted out her bedroom door. The only issue was, it was pitch black.

The next sound coming from the little house, was that of someone walking into something metal at great speed, and quite a lot of clanging. Sophie looked hurriedly at her mom's bedroom door, but no light turned on. She sighed in relief. What she didn't notice was her sister creeping out of HER bedroom. Sophie had almost made it to the front door, of which was bolted shut, before a hand clamped over her mouth. She struggled against the assailant, but they were too strong for her. The lights flicked on, and then Sophie heard a voice that she was dreading to hear.

"Sophie!" Said Bella's voice, sounding quite shocked indeed.

"LEMME GO!!" Sophie said as loud as she dared.

"What is this, getting a snack in the middle of the night?" Bella said, a twinkle in her eye.

"Can you let me go then, so I can get my snack, and get back to bed?"

Bella let go of her, and before her sister could react, Sophie lept for the door, and with a bit of difficulty, unbolted it. She ran out, looking back only to see Bella's hand reached out, and a terrified expression on her face.

Bella's voice sounded eery, and frightened, echoing in the night. "WAIT!!! IT'S NOT SAFE TO GO OUTSIDE AT NIGHT!!!!".