The Coin

Chapter 1

Darkness.

Weightless.

Spinning.

She is spiraling downward - that's the first thing that Eleanor is able to comprehend. She is falling through a vast expanse of darkness, and in the far distance, there are stars twinkling. But for some reason, Eleanor isn't afraid.

It's like she's on a ride somewhere. One of the swing rides from the traveling carnivals that sometimes come through - bright lights, loud sounds and sweet foods. Eleanor closes her eyes and tries to enjoy the ride.

When she stops falling, it's with a sudden jerk. Eleanor's stomach lurches. Instead of being on her back on the ground, the young girl finds herself sitting on a stone bench. Cropped black hair hangs around her face, wind-mussed and tangled. She blinks, confused.

"Well," says Eleanor as she stands up. A tiered skirt has replaced her pajamas. It's crafted from bright colors and patch work silk. "This is certainly some dream."

There's no answer, of course.

And as far as Eleanor can tell, there's no one else around. Not that it's a surprise, really. Dreams are often lonely places... at least, they're always quite lonely for Eleanor.

It doesn't take long for the young girl to get tired of sitting on the bench. She strays away from the empty vale into a meadow that's full of rapeseed flowers, with a panorama of yellow before her eyes. There are mountains in the distance, dramatic peaks, deep valleys, and unparalleled autumn foliage in the distance. This - this is nothing like the crowded city where Eleanor is from. It's another world entirely, and one that is utterly intoxicating. Whenever the wind blows, it carries with it the salt-tang of the sea and the sweet hint of flowers. A short hike through the valley leads Eleanor to a magnificent sight.

Waterfalls!

Only, rather than water, they pour star dust into a massive black lake. The lake functions as a sheet of black glass, forever still and empty. It swallows the silver star dust without a sound. Not even a ripple or a wave. Eleanor stands at the edge of it, staring into the water with awe.

"Be careful," says a voice. "If you fall in, you'll perish."

Startled, Eleanor spins around. "Who's there?"

No one answers.

"I said, who's there?" Eleanor stamps one foot down. The ground crumples beneath the sole of her sandal. She nearly topples backwards into the black mirror lake but catches herself at the last minute.

She hears a laugh.

Frightened, Eleanor scrambles away from the lake and keeps going.

The hollow of the lake quickly fades into a bamboo forest. Eleanor walks along the edge of a rushing stream - shallow, but strong. In the distance, there are mountains crowned by trees peaking above the bamboo stalks. The trees have burst into an autumnal rainbow of scarlet, burgundy, purple, and saffron.

Tiny pagodas built out of rocks are scattered about the path. Somehow, they've managed to resist both the wind and the rain. At first, Eleanor thinks the small houses are cute, but before long, they begin to unnerve her.

Dark clouds begin to crowd the sky. The sun is devoured, inch by inch. Eyes white and wide surrounded by darkness appear to peek out at her from the pagodas, and soon peer out from behind the dense bamboo stalks.

Eleanor's pace quickens.

She can hear children talking, although the words derive from a different language. Eleanor can't tell what they're saying, but the voices frighten her.