Crystals of Nevaeh

Chapter One: Crystals

"Ocean! Wake up!" I shouted up the stairs,
"It's too early..." she groaned,
"Father wants you up."
"Fine..."

When she appeared at the bottom of the stairs her hair looked like some rabid squirrels had been vigorously breakdancing in the back of it. Before we could find anything to fix it father called out to us demandingly.

"Yes father, you wanted to see us?" Ocean asked, her voice shaking slightly,

"I need you to go Nevaeh Central to do business with Monty for me. You know, the crazy loon with all the expensive jewellery?" he paused, "Don't get lost or there will be consequences."
"Okay."
"There's money on the side, go get it."

I grabbed the money and hurried out of the door, dragging my sister with me.

Our house was located in the middle of a wood. As we began our walk into Nevaeh Central we passed many wild animals, I wanted to stop and watch the birds and the squirrels in the trees or maybe even play with the tiny rabbits running around in the long, flowery grass.

I swallowed back my temptation, knowing that something bad would happen if father found out that we stopped for something so trivial.

We had been walking for an hour or so when the trees finally parted to show a beautiful city filled with patterned glass, rich coloured crystals and buildings that looked like they had jumped out of a fantasy movie.

I stared in wonder at the beauty of that small city. I walked past a large rock structure while simultaneously looking for Monty.

"Oi! Fern Twins! Over 'ere!"
The hairs on my back stood up in shock. Ocean sighed,
"That's Monty."
She pulled on my hand and we hurried over to him.

He looked well shaded by his stall which was made of wood with a red and white striped cloth roof. He had all sorts of beautiful goods laid out in front of him.

"I assume you're 'ere to do business for your father, you cer'ainly took a while to ge' 'ere. I'll tell your father you've bin slackin'." he paused, "Ah I'm off track, tha'll be for'y gold please."

I hurriedly sifted through the small pouch of gold and pulled out the money he asked for easily. I handed it over to him and in return he passed me two small crystals, one green and one blue. He smirked creepily as I gave the blue crystal to Ocean. I raised an eyebrow at him but didn't really think anything of it.

The quicker we got out of the Central the better; all of our family were considered outcasts, only aloud to enter the Central on strict business.

The forest welcomed us and we were soon knee-deep in ferns. We passed a few little steams and brooks on the way home but the small crystals digging into our palms kept us going out of fear.

"Ow... my hand... is burning." Ocean said as we passed a large lake.
I looked over at her and realised that her crystal had begun emitting a dim white light.

Before I could say anything to her a bright flash stung my eyes and my stomach dropped inside me. I panicked when all I could see was the clear blue air. I flailed my arms, trying to catch myself. My right hand caught my eye, the small green crystal seemed to have melted into my hand.

As I fell a vast jungle appeared below me, all I could see for miles around was my inevitable death.