Lost in My Head (Open Novella Contest)

One

  "C'mon Sara, let's go!" That would be my best and only friend, Kiko. "Coming," I respond, grabbing my bag and walking toward her. I can hear the sound of kids slamming their lockers shut at the end of the school day. I could see some kids running out of school, footballs in hand, to go play with their friends in the park nearby. Kiko is a little odd, and definitely socially awkward. She pushes back her short piece of over-trimmed hair in the front of her face. She uses it as an advantage. No one recognizes her when she's hidden behind the hair. Her mom calls herself a 'hair stylist', so whenever Kiko needs a haircut, her mom offers. She's really bad, and Kiko's hair is always a messy, uneven clump. 

  We practically run out of school. I had been feeling off all day, so I couldn't wait to get in my car. I had that sinking feeling, where you know something is going to happen, but you have no idea what. My stomach is filled with those feelings as Kiko goes to her silver Jeep and I go to my car. It's an aging white Lexus. It used to be my mom's, but she let me have it when I turned sixteen. I climb into the driver's seat and head home. 

  When I drive home from school, I admire the nature around me. On any given day, I  love the breeze that rustles the leaves on the trees. I love the way the flowers look on sunny days. I love the singing birds in the morning. Normally I am filled with awe for the wonder of nature, and puzzle over why not many people stop and look at the world around us for it is truly incredible. Today, however, nature doesn't seem so special to me. I just cannot seem to shake that weird feeling.

  I have always loved to explore my surroundings. It's a natural talent of mine. I relish in finding and discovering new things. I prefer to go outside to read a book or do my homework. Kiko enjoys sitting outside with me and I appreciate her company. When my family moved, I made sure that we would have a large backyard with a big tree. I wanted to sit under that tree on sunny days and curl up with a book. The vision makes me grin wildly. 

  When I get home, I climb out of the car and head inside. My house a small, cottage-like house at the end of a street. There is a big canyon next to us that I always liked to hike in by myself when I was little. I slowly walk to my bedroom. I have a nice size room. I have a big window so I can see outside. My bed is a small double with black and gold sheets. The small size isn't ideal, but I manage. I put my bag down and lay on my bed. I pull out my book with a smooth paperback cover and begin to read. 

  Shira walked to the window and looked outside. That was when she saw it. The giant shadow was looming over her. All she could do was stop and stare. It was huge, with monstrous teeth and a giant torso. Shira screamed. It began to chase her, and suddenly it grabbed her by the neck and lifted her up. She was going to die. She was dying. She wondered if anyone would remember her. That was when the creature began to-

  "Sara, time for dinner!" Mom yells. I dash down the hall to the kitchen. We have a small kitchen, but Mom likes it. She calls it 'homey'. She likes small things. I find it incredibly weird, but that's only because I'm claustrophobic. She sits me down at the glossy, brown table and serves me a quinoa bowl. My family has been vegetarian ever since I was a tiny little baby. I love quinoa bowls, and she knows it. My dad doesn't like them that much though. Whenever we have them, he passes me secret glances and pretends to barf. He still eats it though. Sometimes I think he respects mom a little too much. 

  I finish my quinoa and head back to my room. I pick up my phone to call Kiko to come and do homework with me, but then I decide otherwise. I've never really liked social interaction. I prefer to be on my own. 

  I open my math homework. 4 times the quantity of 5 plus 6 is 44, I think to myself. I don't like to be with too many people. It overwhelms me really quickly. I've never really known who I am. I don't look like either of my parents. I find it hard to talk to people without knowing who I really am. Every time someone asks me to tell them my name, I hesitate. Identity is an interesting concept to me. Does anyone really know their exact origin? Where does humanity really come from? 

  I always ask myself what the purpose of my life is. I really don't know. Without knowing who I am, how can I decide what my purpose is? I go back to my homework. I almost finish when my dad comes home. "Dad!" I yell, excited. I get really happy when my dad gets home. He's the only one who really understands me. He loves work and is really smart, just like me. He was never just like me though. He was never so anti-social and book-focused. 

  I continue to do my homework when I suddenly feel a pulse coming from my closet. It almost feels like it's amplifying that sinking feeling I have. I continue to work, but then it happens again. I walk towards my closet cautiously. Creeping nearer to the door, it begins to feel like a tug. I swing open the closet door to find nothing. There is absolutely nothing there. Just my clothes and shoes. 

  I climb back on my bed and keep doing my math. There it is again. I can't take this anymore. I swing open the door again and begin to search. I rummage through my shoes and clothes 3 times before I find it. It's an ornate wooden box with carvings engraved on all 4 sides. The engravings are in a language I have never seen before. The cherry-stained wood is dusty, so I blow it off. It gives me really weird vibes, like if I open it, I won't come back. After a long staredown with the box, I finally work up the courage to open it.

  Inside there is a necklace. It has a long, silver chain and a blue jewel in the middle of the charm. The gem is pretty large. If I look closely, I can see words in the same strange language embedded underneath the jewel. There is a clasp at the end of the chain. The necklace looks quite old, so I am careful with it. When I flip it over, it says something in English. Lyra, it says. I wonder what or who that is, I think. 

  I open the clasp and put it around my neck. The metal feels cold against it. I re-open the hook and clip it around the back of my neck. As soon as I hook it, I regret it. I am slowly sucked away from my bedroom. I try to scream, but no sound comes out. My room is fading away. I can't see. I feel like I can't breathe. I'm not where I was. I've been taken somewhere. But where?, I wonder.