h i d d e n

Somewhere unknown to most, there once was a cold, hidden, and empty place. It was frigid and barren, with nothing but a wintry chill flowing through its quiet darkness. One past snow graced night, a bright young boy found himself lost, and wandered near the desolate place. He found an entrance to the hidden cove, but the entrance was fortified with high walls covered in thick creeping vines laced with sharp thorns. Curious of the mysterious edifice, the young boy began to scale the treacherous walls. With each pull of his body as he scaled the walls, the thorns on the vines cut into his skin. But he steadily continued to climb, anxious to learn what existed on the other side. Blood dripped from the cuts on his arms and trickled down the walls and seeped into the cracks. Slowly, the bricks beneath him began to shake and crumble. The more the bricks soaked up his rich blood, the more they began to fall apart. The boy quivered as he felt the chill from behind the broken walls. He reached for one more brick, only to lose his grip as the last brick caved in, everything suddenly becoming enveloped in a suffocating, thick, dark nothingness. He began to breathe heavily; the viscous air filled his lungs and weighed him down. His eyes slowly closed...

Among the quiet echoes of what seemed to be the end of everything, a dim light began to beat through the darkness, like a faint heartbeat. The tempo increased, slowly but surely, until suddenly a bright flash pierced through the darkness, flushing out the poisonous emptiness with one swift rush. And there laid the boy, burning brightly like a beacon of hope, revealing a seed floating in the place once dark. He slowly opened his eyes, the glow of the seed reflecting against his bright eyes. The glow called out to him, and as if it was luring his hand to reach for it. Naturally, his fingers outstretched to slightly touch the aura of the seed. Just before his fingertip could touch the seed itself, a voice called out to him from behind. The voice that called out was accompanied by the appearance of a verbose but headstrong young girl. She came up to the boy, leaned down and made sure he was alright, and then inspected the glowing aura before them. The seed fluctuated as she came closer, glowing brighter. Ever so slightly, she touched the seed with one tender brush of her finger. In that moment, a rush of sensation gushed forth from the seed, enveloping everything in its wake.

The creation of a world was being born. Thoughts, feelings, and ideas filled the vast emptiness, bringing light. Standing at the edge of this world were two figures, slowly stepping forward, searching for their missing companions. Another bright eyed, but unknowing boy carefully treaded his way to the center, followed by a quiet, observant boy. They all found each other at the location of the seed. There was much discussion about what to do and where to go. Through many trials and tribulations, a decision was made. Eventually, they each began to venture and explore various parts of the newfound world. Every interaction with the world bore a consequence, but throughout everything, the world began to grow warmth unlike before. In a matter of time, the world slowly began to interact with them as well. Unbeknownst to the inhabitants of the newly transformed place, the longer they stayed, the more the world developed. Though there were unexplored dark regions still lurking in the far corners, the world grew brighter and warmer, and more aware. Time passed considerably, as they all occasionally came and went, and then returned from their time spent in their own worlds.

Another year has come to pass, seasons come and go while winter lingers, and many things have changed since the time of the existence of the once fortified dark solace in the place unknown to most. Now, it is a place known to a few, a place that grew and developed with their presence, a place that dearly welcomes them. It is a place that will always belong to them, a world in which they will never be forgotten.