Kidnapped Kingdom

Evelyn Ozlanski 1

Everything is so foggy. I can barely see a thing. I look around for something familiar, something I could use to understand where I was. That's when I saw the giant beast that had trapped me here. It smothered me, robbing me of breath. It's gray fur got stuck in my mouth, and I started to struggle, trying to get this thing off me.

I wasn't the least bit scared. Honestly, I was just annoyed that my dog had woken me up so early.

I pushed Luna off me and pulled the blanket over my head. It was Saturday, and I really didn't need this right now. A few minutes later, once my anger had melted away, I got out of bed and locked the door so I could get dressed. Looking at myself in my closet mirror, I sighed. My brown brown hair was messier than usual since I forgot to put it up when I went to bed. The dark circles under my eyes were as noticeable as ever. That's what I get for staying up past midnight last night. I quickly got out of my pajamas and changed into a plain green shirt and black jean shorts. I brushed my hair as best I could, but it quickly bounced back into their messy curls, as usual. I shrugged and walked out of my room.

I'm pretty sure you've all heard those stories where the protagonist walks down the stairs to their loving family, who is already eating breakfast. They make the hero their favorite food, and they all sit and have a nice conversation.

I wish.

I walk out of my room and headed to my table. It was a small wooden one, with three chairs. It wasn't really a nice table, but it was mine, and I liked it, so I kept it.

I live alone. I used to live with my family, but I left. It was... a little too much for me. I'm not lonely or anything, but sometimes I do miss some things. Looking at it as a whole, it was a good idea. I can be free, and I don't have to be with them.

I made myself a piece of toast in my toaster. It took only a few minutes, and when the time was done, I quickly pinched the toast with my thumb and finger so that I wouldn't burn myself. Plopping it quickly on a plate and carrying it to my table, I sat down and rested my head in my arms.

"Happy birthday, Evelyn. You're sixteen today. Good luck with your magic, whenever it comes around." I blew on the toast and watched the smoke float away through the air.

Magic is usually its strongest when the person turns sixteen. That day, they are able to summon their familiars and their weapons. It's a great day for all families involved.

I kind of wished my aunt could have been there. She was always so nice, and I miss her. She always talked about the world like she was one hundred years old and she was going to die the next day, and she had to live her last day on Earth to the fullest, even though she was only in her mid-40's. Every since she died, I've been living here by myself.

But, everyone has to move forward in their life at some point, right? I chowed down my toast and moved to sit at the windowsill. My aunt used to sit here with me and tell me stories about all the magic she had seen while she was still a young wizard. I always marveled at the stories, and when one ended, it always left me craving for more, like a series of books you can't get out of your head.

"But Aunt Bella, can't you just stay and tell me another one?" I would plead to her as she got up and stretched, getting ready to walk away.

"Oh, I would love to, Evelyn, but I have some chores to do around the house. We'll do this again another time, okay?"

I nodded and looked out the window again. Aunt Bella could clearly tell that I was upset. She patted my little pigtailed head and told me, "Well, that's why I have to go. There's a huge dragon in the laundry room, and I need to go slay it, or else it will eat everything!"

I gasped in astonishment. "I want to help you!" I eagerly jumped out of my seat and rushed into the laundry room, waving my hands and trying to summon fire in my palms. My Aunt Bella followed suit, summoning an actual bucket of water so she could wash the clothes.

The memory fades, and  look out the window. Tears roll down my cheeks as I remember her, but they stop. I feel her presence, and I know that, somewhere, she looking out the window with me. I smile.

It's such a beautiful day outside.