The Riddle

Chapter 1

"Clink," went Robert's shovel as he jammed it into the front yard's ground. Debris and dirt flew everywhere, until he hit something.

Plastic? he thought to himself.

He carefully removed the dirt into holes of trial and error around him, making sure to stay clear of the plastic case.

Although he was hoping for the pirate's booty, he decided to go with his instinct and inspect it. As he picked it up, and noticed a book through the clear, toy-like capsule. As he opened it, the details started to process.

The book was clinched shut by a padlock running around the spine.

"Rubbish," he said. "There's got to be a way to open this thing."

Somehow, with his greatest strength, he pried it open. A bright light beamed from the inside of the book and instantly blinded Robert. Slowly, different visions flashed in his head.

He was only able to make out one. It appeared to be a young girl, around the age of eleven. She was very beautiful, with her bleach blonde hair and ocean blue eyes.

Robert could only pay attention to this girl, even with the weirdest things that haunted him. He had already gone back to normal vision, however, daydreams of the girl fought with his brain.

"Robert," Robert's mom, Monica said, standing on the ledge of the stairs just outside the doorway.

Her appearance dumbfounded Robert, making him shake his head.

"What?" Robert asked.

Monica put her hands on her hips in the classic mom stance and said, "What are you doing?"

He quickly looked at all the pages in the book, realizing they were empty. He placed it into the mailbox to keep it safe, and then went inside with his mom to tell her about his findings.

"Mum, outside I found the stran—" Robert exclaimed.

"Are you out searching for treasure again?" Monica interrupted.

"Maybe," Robert said softly with a profound smile. "But this is serious. Just listen"

"I need you to fill up those holes. We have guests coming over!" Monica sighed.

"Listen" Robert continues. "There was a book. And when I opened it, a light flashed in my eyes. Then I saw this amazing girl!"

"Do I need to make you an appointment with Dr. Musket?" Monica asked.

"No!" Robert yelled. "I'm telling the truth."

"Are you sure?" Monica asked. "Because all of this sounds like a bunch of bologna."

"Yes, mother," Robert said. "I'm telling you! This is for real!"

"Okay," Monica blurted. "During this age, all different kinds of things like this happen."

"Mom! No, that's not what I'm saying!" Robert yelled on his tiptoes. "It all happened after I opened the book."

"I think I need to make you an appointment," Monica said as she dialed numbers on the phone.

Robert snatched the phone out of Monica's hand and cancelled the call. His mom gave him a dirty look.

"No," Robert growled. "I'm fine!"

"I really think you—"

"I don't need a therapist's appointment," he interrupted. "Really, I'm fine. And I swear, I'm telling the truth."

"Okay," Monica sighed. "Here's the deal. If you can prove this absolute nonsense to me, then we'll see."

Relief slowly filled up Robert like helium filling a balloon.

He slowly opened the door back outside. He went back to where he found the book, his mom following him, to find out it's gone.

"It was right here," Robert said angrily as he put his foot down.

He sat thinking about how terribly stupid it was to place it in that mailbox, especially in a sketchy neighborhood like his.

"That's it, Robert," Monica said. "I'm calling Dr. Musket for another appointment about your hallucinations."

Robert sighed.